Vehicle: 2003 Subaru Forester 2.5XS with 4-speed automatic

Handling: With Subaru’s expertise in excellent chassis and suspension tuning, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Forester handles like a sports car. With a new stiff chassis, a proven all-wheel drive system and well-sorted out suspension. The Forester handles like its on-rail. The steering provides exceptional feedback both on and off-center. Its nicely weight and balanced. Push through corners, Forester respondes briskly. The ride is comfortable. Both understeer and body rolls are minimal considered Forester’s nature as a mini-ute. Thanks to its lower center-of-gravity boxer engine design, its very balanced.

Performance: Powered by Subaru’s proven 2.5L boxer 4-banger that bumps out 165hp and 166 lb/ft of torque. This engine has given me pleasant surprise through the test drive. There is plenty of low-end torque. Throttle response is linear and responsive. The tester comes with optional 4-speed auto tranny. The upshifts and downshifts are both clean and responsive, without any abrupt response of previous Subaru auto boxes. However, given the docile nature of this chassis. This 2.5 could meant somewhat underengined. A H6 or turbo 4 from WRX should have no trouble solve this problem.

Brakes: The all discs with standard ABS provides decent pedal feel. The previous Forester’s somewhat spongy pedal feel on the first 1/4 of the brake pedal has been addressed.

Interior: Subaru has solved the outgoing Forester’s cheap interior with a much better executed quality. Although you can’t called the materials outstanding, its still far superior than its predecessor. The stereo finally placed on the top instead of low below the dash. Everything are logically placed from power windows to heated seats. The cloth seats are comfortable and well-contoured. The back seats provide plenty of head and legroom. The most impressive thing is it got the 3rd headrest in the middle, which unfound on its rivals. On the other hand, there’s one drawback. The interior color scheme makes the well-laid out interior feels and looks drab. The grey plastic, aluminum trim and grey cloth make the interior feel very boring. The beige interior looks like something from 70s. The black interior should look best with alumimum trim.

Conclusion: The new Forester is more of an evolution than revolution. Combines with all the merits of Subaru engineering and quality, they should have no trouble selling each one of them. Keep in mind the base model already come with all the necessary features, however, the uplevel model felt somewhat overpriced even with additional luxurious features.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2003 SUBARU FORESTER XS
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Performance: 3/5
Fun-to-drive/ride and handling: 4.75/5
Ergonomics/user-friendliness/feel-good factor: 3.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality:4/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 4/5