March 6, 2002

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Preview:
2003 Subaru Forester
by Greg Wilson

It's more of an update than a wholesale redesign, but the 2003 Subaru Forester has some important styling, safety and interior upgrades. Arriving in dealerships in May, the 2003 Forester offers more aggressive exterior styling, a longer list of standard equipment, more safety features, improved seats, more interior storage space, larger front brakes with new, optional electronic brake proportioning, and re-tuned suspension struts.

The powertrain remains pretty much the same. The Forester's familiar 2.5 litre horizontally-opposed four cylinder engine, 5 speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions, all-wheel-drive system and fully independent suspension are carried over from the previous model with some minor revisions to the suspension.

Two new trim levels are offered for 2003: 2.5 X and 2.5 XS, replacing 2.5L, 2.5S, 2.5 Sport, and 2.5S Limited.

Bolder styling

Though it's about the same size as the previous Forester, the 2003 model has a larger grille and larger covered halogen headlights, and a redesigned front bumper with integrated foglights. The Forester's flared front fenders and "blister" type rear quarter panels are even more prominent than they were before. At the rear, the new Forester has redesigned triangular-shaped taillamps and a larger hatch opening.

The hood, bumper beams and roof rails are now made of lightweight aluminium which reduce overall vehicle weight by 45 kg (90 pounds) even though Subaru has added more interior features. The 2003 Forester is more aerodynamic with a lower coefficient of drag (Cd) of 0.35 compared to 0.39 for the previous base model - that helps reduce wind noise and enhance fuel efficiency.

Stronger body, better brakes, improved airbags

Subaru's 'Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame' structure has been strengthened with a hydroformed front subframe and welded structural elements. This not only improves the Forester's crash safety, but helps handling as well.

All Forester models have new larger-diameter front brake rotors, and the 2.5 XS includes rear disc brakes. 2.5XS models have a new Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) system that enhances braking stability by evening out braking forces between the front and rear wheels. A four-channel, four-sensor anti-lock brake system (ABS) is standard on all 2003 Forester models.

Inside the Forester, the front passenger airbag now uses dual-stage deployment (depending on crash severity), and adds standard L-shaped front seat side impact airbags that protect both the head and chest areas. The interior also features new upper-trim head impact protection, and new front-seat active safety head restraints which help prevent whiplash injury.

Other standard safety features include three-point seatbelts for all five seating positions (height-adjustable on the four outboard positions) and headrests for all rear seat positions.

Front seats more accomodating

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The Forester's front seats now accommodate a wider variety of passengers - the front seats have bigger side bolsters that provide better lateral support when cornering, and the front seats offer 13.5 mm more seat travel. The driver's seat height adjustment range has been increased, and so has the range of the standard tilt steering column.

The Forester shares its instrument gauge panel with the Impreza but has sportier trim. The standard digital clock has been relocated to the centre dash panel for better visibility, and models equipped with the optional four-speed automatic transmission have a new gated shifter and instrument panel gear-position display.

More storage

Though the 2003 Forester isn't any bigger, a redesign of the cargo area has resulted in more available cargo room. As well, the rear 60/40 seatbacks can be lowered with one button to provide a flat cargo floor - the cargo floor and rear seatback are fully carpeted. A retractable cargo area cover (on the 2.5 XS) sits higher up than before to accommodate taller packages.

The centre console includes a side storage compartment on the passenger side, a 12-volt accessory outlet in the storage box and dual cup holders. The front doors provide new net-type storage pockets, and the 2.5 XS also adds these to the front seatbacks. A front overhead console holds two pairs of sunglasses.

More standard features

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Subaru has added about a dozen new standard features to the 2003 Forester, including larger 16-inch wheels and tires, an AM/FM/weatherband stereo with CD player, remote keyless entry, and cruise control.

The Forester 2.5 X has textured grey lower body cladding while the exterior of the Forester 2.5 XS has painted lower body cladding in Carbon Grey Metallic and aluminum alloy wheels.

In addition to its distinctive exterior trim, the Forester 2.5 XS model adds a premium cloth upholstery, carpeting and interior trim, and a black perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, shifter handle and parking brake handle. The 2.5 XS is also equipped with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), automatic climate control, a premium stereo with logic control cassette and in-dash 6-disc CD changer, and aluminum alloy wheels. In addition, a standard All-Weather Package on the 2.5 XS includes a viscous limited-slip rear differential, dual-mode heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer.

Two option packages are offered on the 2.5 XS: the first includes a power moonroof, splashguards and a stereo system with additional tweeters. A second option package adds leather seating surfaces and trim. Prices have not yet been announced.

Proven drivetrain

As before, all Foresters are powered by a 165 horsepower 2.5 litre four-cylinder "boxer" engine and Subaru's all-wheel drive system. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, and a four-speed electronically controlled automatic is optional.

For 2003, Subaru's Hill Holder technology has returned. On models equipped with the five-speed manual transmission, this system helps make starting off on an incline easier by maintaining brake pressure on one front wheel and one rear wheel to prevent the vehicle from rolling back.

The Forester, like all Subarus, is equipped with full-time all-wheel drive and a lightweight horizontally-opposed engine. This symmetric drivetrain layout and long-travel four-wheel independent suspension gives Forester car-like ride and handling. Although the 2003 Forester retains the four-wheel strut-type suspension design, the strut units are all new and incorporate internal rebound springs and improved valving to reduce body roll and further refine ride quality.

Subaru's full-time All-Wheel Driving System powers all four wheels all the time, unlike some SUV four-wheel drive systems that only power the front or rear wheels most of the time. When equipped with the standard five-speed manual transmission, the Subaru Forester uses 50/50 Full Time All-Wheel Drive.

A viscous-coupling centre differential built into the transmission case divides engine power 50 percent front and 50 percent rear. Wheel slippage at the front causes more power to shift to the rear, and slippage at the rear transfers power to the front, ensuring that the wheels with the best traction receive the most power. The five-speed manual transmission features a hydraulic clutch for smooth operation and low maintenance. A flexible flywheel helps ensure smooth shift action.

Forester models equipped with the optional four-speed electronic automatic transmission use Active All-Wheel Drive, which employs an electronically managed, continuously variable transfer clutch housed in the transaxle tail shaft. The electronic transmission control module (TCM) controls the All-Wheel Drive by varying pressure directed to the multi-plate transfer clutch.

Under most conditions, 60 per cent of the engine torque is transferred to the front wheels and 40 per cent to the rear to match the vehicle's weight distribution. Under hard acceleration, however, or in the case of loss of traction at either the front or rear wheels, the transfer clutches instantly receive higher pressure to distribute torque evenly between the front and rear wheels (50/50). The Forester 2.5 XS model benefits from the additional traction assistance of a standard rear viscous limited-slip differential, which directs power to the rear wheel with the most traction.

Evolutionary changes

Rather than becoming bigger, heavier and more cumbersome, the 2003 Forester has retained its compact dimensions and manoeuvrability, and improved upon passenger safety and comfort. In terms of ride and handling, the previous Forester was one of the most car-like SUV's on the market - as the 2003 model has a similar powertrain and suspension, that's not likely to change. 2003 Foresters will be available in Canadian dealerships in May. Prices have not yet been announced.

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Greg Wilson is a Vancouver-based automotive journalist and editor of CanadianDriver