Overview & Reviews

Subaru has made many small but significant changes to the Forester for 2006. Foresters with normally aspirated engines have a new variable valve-lift system that bumps horsepower from last year's 165 to 173, while turbo Foresters have a higher compression ratio and redesigned intake and exhaust components for a 20-hp boost to 230 and cleaner tailpipe emissions. The manual and automatic transmissions have also been updated for better performance, as has the suspension. Interested shoppers should also note that Subaru has simplified the Forester's trim levels, freshened up the exterior styling and added more thigh support to the rear seat.

• Standard all-wheel drive, two engine choices, availability of upscale features, class-leading crash test scores, rides and handles like a car.

• Costs more than many competitors, tight on legroom in the backseat.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 111.00

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  Subaruy - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By realreview - December 13 - 10:16 am

  FXT is a great example of a Subaru. Its not perfect but it makes you happy. Dont know what else gives you what the manual/turbo Forester has for a reasonable price. But I like and bought because of ride height, performance, utility, reliability. I prefer this to my 04 wrx and 05 legacy GT. If you are thinking about this car things you get are: great visibility, ride height, 4wd, utility, reliability, performance (as easy or easier than wrx to mod if you want to). Things youll have to live with: ugly (it is but its ok) gas mileage (good for what it is but not amazing), bit of wind noise. Not perfect but just does everything and makes you happy.

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  Fun to Drive - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Analei - November 30 - 9:13 am

  Yes, fun to drive. Its not even a year old and Im going to pass the 20,000 mile mark this week. I didnt notice how smooth this car is until I got into a friends PT Cruiser...yuk! My Forester handles well, is comfortable but firm. I hate a boat-like ride or big suvs. Im averaging 27.5 mpg which is nice. I love the big windows and the cover in the back to cover my shopping bags, especially at Christmas time. All the gauges are logically placed and I can finally reach the radio in a car without leaning over! Id buy it again if I needed a car right now.

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  One of the worst cars I have ever owned - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By New Subaru owner - October 11 - 8:36 pm

  Nice car in many respects, but the engine hesitation when starting out from a complete stop is terrible. Gets worse as outside temperature gets over 90 and AC is on. Dealer tells me that it is normal. I think a 3 or 4 second hesitation is unsatisfactory and unsafe since you never know what its going to do when you give it some gas.

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  The Ultimate sleeper & Stealth machine! - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Bren - October 11 - 6:40 pm

  This is our second Forester (my wife drives a 2003 XS with PP). The power of the turbo is outstanding, yet it is still very practical & enjoyable on long drives....went to Washington DC & spent time in cottage country of central Ontario. Looking forward to the winter time with one of the best full time AWD systems in the industry!

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  OK but still room for improvement - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By bobo - September 12 - 6:56 am

  The Forester replaced a 2003 Honda CR-V. The Forester has acceleration equal to the Honda, but I expected the Forester to be better since it has more horsepower and less weight. The Forester has much better handling on mountain roads (where I mostly drive). The Honda had disc brakes on all wheels, but Subaru saved a few bucks by providing drum brakes at the rear. The Honda had much more interior room and miscellaneous storage spaces. The Forester has some annoying buzzes and rattles in the dash area on rough roads. Even at 75,000 miles, the Honda had none. The controls on the Forester lack the silky smoothness of the Honda. The Honda (EX model) had a better sound system.

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  I like my Forester - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Venkee - August 13 - 1:56 pm

  The Subaru has very appealing interiors compared to other compact/small cars. It is certainly different from the boring Corollas. One of the best things about a Forester is the visibility. The visibility itself is a great safety feature. It handles like a car and I feel pretty safe sitting in a Forester. One thing that they can do better is the finishing. There are a couple of allen screws projecting out on the frame right behind the doors. Also, you see plastic rivets on the roof. They should have had some way of not having nuts and bolts projecting out and being visible. But, that is a minor flaw.

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  2006 Forester X - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By subtex - June 1 - 5:20 am

  I traded in my 1998 Jeep Cherokee for the Forester. It was getting a little tired and I wanted something that would get better fuel economy and still have some off road capability. I wasnt disappointed in these 2 respects. The highway mileage is outstanding (31.6 on a recent trip) and the Forester is astonishing off road in deep sand and even climbing sand hills that we have out here in west Texas. It does however have a couple of annoying problems with the drivetrain management as mentioned in other Forester reviews. Those are the engine revving very high on cold starts and the drivetrain jerk at low speeds. Also the engine has a distinct lack of low end power in my opinion.

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  A safe vehicle, fun to drive - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Bayview6 - May 23 - 11:56 pm

  Just got back from a 3000+ mile road trip. The Forester cruises easily at 75+ mph and the seats and interior cabin are comfortable. Good reserve power for passing on 2 lane country roads. Plenty of cargo space. Good handling and brakes. Average mpg was 25 would be higher if I slowed down to 60 mph. Im glad I bought the vehicle. I havent driven it in really bad weather yet so Im waiting for winter to arrive.

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  Better Than Expected - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By Vera - March 27 - 4:33 pm

  Bought this car after viewing Consumer Reports; safety and handling are definite concerns. The Forester handles like a dream in inclement weather, really sticks to the ground around curves. Gas mileage runs 22-23 mpg, was expecting a bit better but still good. Only thing I dislike about the car is the drivers cupholders and center armrest, not convenient nor comfortable. Otherwise, its a great car!

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  Fun car but needs improvements! - 2006 Subaru Forester
  By djenson - February 28 - 3:16 am

  I live in NCW Washington and drive 30 miles to work and this winter have had many challenges with record snow, fog and ice. I love the all wheel drive and the heated seats. I have had problems with the 36000 warranty and with Subaru following up and fixing a quality control problem.