Likes
- Excellent value for money
- Decent off-road ability
- Great practicality in a compact package
- Mechanically reliable
Used Subaru Forester (2nd-gen) review
2002 - 2008
Dislikes
- Low levels of safety compared to rivals
- Susceptible to mechanical issues
- Not all that fuel efficient
- Turbo models may be badly modified
Stuff you should know
Based on the second-generation Subaru Impreza platform and featuring multiple fine-tuned improvements over the previous generation, the second-generation Forester offers something practical, capable and reliable, while also being affordable, fun and enjoyable to drive.
Produced from 2002 to 2008 and substantially updated in 2005, the Forester was available in primarily three different trim levels in Australia with the fire-breathing STi variant becoming recently available thanks to changes to Australia’s vehicle import laws.
However, Subarus of this generation can be guilty of certain mechanical unreliability, excessive oil and fuel use and a recommendation to purchase requires some homework first.
What goes wrong
- Oil cooler gasket leaks on XT and STi variants
- Oil filter and cam seals can leak oil
- Check for all oil leaks, if they seem major, do not buy that Forester
- Wheels bearings known to wear at as early as 60,000kms
- Rear suspension components (especially self levelling) can wear heavily. Check for excessive rear-end squat
- Check for worn anti-roll bar bushes, drop links, wheel bearings and CV joint boots
- Timing belt needs replacing at every 100,000kms (this is a critical change)
- Along with the timing belt, the water pump, thermostat, the platinum and iridium plugs, belt tensioner and all the idler pulleys for the belt should also be replaced
- Foresters fitted with 2.5-litre EJ series of engines are more likely to suffer a head gasket failure than their 2.0-litre counterparts. (Contrary to popular belief, the turbocharged DOHC 2.5-litre EJ255 and EJ25 power units are less prone to a head gasket failure than the SOHC 2.5-litre EJ253)
- Automatic transmissions at 200,000kms can have catastrophic failures
- If the turbocharger in one of the XT or STi variants fail, it can send fine metallic particles all throughout the intake system and in some cases take the entire engine with it. Failure is generally caused by a bearing in the turbo. (Check for distinctive blue/grey smoke, the engine burning lots of oil, slow acceleration or if the boost pressure comes on late
- Oil cooler gasket leaks on XT and STi variants
- Oil filter and cam seals can leak oil
- Check for all oil leaks, if they seem major, do not buy that Forester
- Wheels bearings known to wear at as early as 60,000kms
- Rear suspension components (especially self levelling) can wear heavily. Check for excessive rear-end squat
- Check for worn anti-roll bar bushes, drop links, wheel bearings and CV joint boots
- Timing belt needs replacing at every 100,000kms (this is a critical change)
- Along with the timing belt, the water pump, thermostat, the platinum and iridium plugs, belt tensioner and all the idler pulleys for the belt should also be replaced
- Foresters fitted with 2.5-litre EJ series of engines are more likely to suffer a head gasket failure than their 2.0-litre counterparts. (Contrary to popular belief, the turbocharged DOHC 2.5-litre EJ255 and EJ25 power units are less prone to a head gasket failure than the SOHC 2.5-litre EJ253)
- Automatic transmissions at 200,000kms can have catastrophic failures
- If the turbocharger in one of the XT or STi variants fail, it can send fine metallic particles all throughout the intake system and in some cases take the entire engine with it. Failure is generally caused by a bearing in the turbo. (Check for distinctive blue/grey smoke, the engine burning lots of oil, slow acceleration or if the boost pressure comes on late
- Oil cooler gasket leaks on XT and STi variants
- Oil filter and cam seals can leak oil
- Check for all oil leaks, if they seem major, do not buy that Forester
- Wheels bearings known to wear at as early as 60,000kms
- Rear suspension components (especially self levelling) can wear heavily. Check for excessive rear-end squat
- Check for worn anti-roll bar bushes, drop links, wheel bearings and CV joint boots
- Timing belt needs replacing at every 100,000kms (this is a critical change)
- Along with the timing belt, the water pump, thermostat, the platinum and iridium plugs, belt tensioner and all the idler pulleys for the belt should also be replaced
- Foresters fitted with 2.5-litre EJ series of engines are more likely to suffer a head gasket failure than their 2.0-litre counterparts. (Contrary to popular belief, the turbocharged DOHC 2.5-litre EJ255 and EJ25 power units are less prone to a head gasket failure than the SOHC 2.5-litre EJ253)
- Automatic transmissions at 200,000kms can have catastrophic failures
- If the turbocharger in one of the XT or STi variants fail, it can send fine metallic particles all throughout the intake system and in some cases take the entire engine with it. Failure is generally caused by a bearing in the turbo. (Check for distinctive blue/grey smoke, the engine burning lots of oil, slow acceleration or if the boost pressure comes on late
Should you buy it?
Buying a Subaru Forester (SG) depends on the Forester you’re looking at.
A Forester with a full and thorough service history, in excellent condition, preferably with low kilometres, being sold by someone that seems honest and trustworthy, should be a good buy.
The right Forester is an excellent car and we cannot say this enough, if it has been maintained and cared for correctly, it should be a very reliable vehicle.
However, if the Forester you’re looking at has no or minimal service history, has clearly not been looked after, is drenched in red flags and the person selling it seems even slightly dodgy, no, do not buy it.
Buying a Subaru Forester (SG) depends on the Forester you’re looking at.
A Forester with a full and thorough service history, in excellent condition, preferably with low kilometres, being sold by someone that seems honest and trustworthy, should be a good buy.
The right Forester is an excellent car and we cannot say this enough, if it has been maintained and cared for correctly, it should be a very reliable vehicle.
However, if the Forester you’re looking at has no or minimal service history, has clearly not been looked after, is drenched in red flags and the person selling it seems even slightly dodgy, no, do not buy it.
Should you buy it?
Buying a Subaru Forester (SG) depends on the Forester you’re looking at.
A Forester with a full and thorough service history, in excellent condition, preferably with low kilometres, being sold by someone that seems honest and trustworthy, should be a good buy.
The right Forester is an excellent car and we cannot say this enough, if it has been maintained and cared for correctly, it should be a very reliable vehicle.
However, if the Forester you’re looking at has no or minimal service history, has clearly not been looked after, is drenched in red flags and the person selling it seems even slightly dodgy, no, do not buy it.
Need help with finance?
Powered by
Models, pricing & features
Tech specs
Body Styles
- 5 door Wagon
Engine Specs
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 90kW / 176Nm (GX 1997 – 1998, Limited 1997 – 1998)
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 92kW / 184Nm (GX 1998 – 2002, Limited 1998 – 2002, Special Edition Limited 1999 – 2001, Special Edition GX 2001, GX Special Edition 2002, Limited Special Edition 2002)
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol, 125kW / 240Nm (GT 1998 – 2000)
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol, 130kW / 245Nm (GT 2000 – 2002)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 112kW / 223Nm (X 2002 – 2005, XS 2002 – 2005, XS Luxury 2002 – 2005, X Special Edition 2004, X Weekender 2005)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol, 155kW / 320Nm (XT 2003 – 2005, XT Luxury 2003 – 2005)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 121kW / 226Nm (X 2005 – 2008, XS 2005 – 2008, XS Luxury 2005 – 2008, X Weekender 2006, X Luxury 2006 – 2007, X Sports 2006, X Columbia 2007 – 2008)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol, 169kW / 320Nm (XT 2005 – 2008, XT Luxury 2005 – 2008)
Transmission
- 5-speed Manual (GX, Limited, GT, Special Edition Limited, Special Edition GX, GX Special Edition, Limited Special Edition, X, XS, XS Luxury, XT, XT Luxury, X Special Edition, X Weekender, X Luxury, X Sports, X Columbia)
- 4-speed Automatic (GX, Limited, GT, Special Edition Limited, Special Edition GX, GX Special Edition, Limited Special Edition, X, XS, XS Luxury, XT, XT Luxury, X Special Edition, X Weekender, X Luxury, X Sports,
Body Styles
- 5 door Wagon
Engine Specs
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 90kW / 176Nm (GX 1997 – 1998, Limited 1997 – 1998)
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 92kW / 184Nm (GX 1998 – 2002, Limited 1998 – 2002, Special Edition Limited 1999 – 2001, Special Edition GX 2001, GX Special Edition 2002, Limited Special Edition 2002)
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol, 125kW / 240Nm (GT 1998 – 2000)
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol, 130kW / 245Nm (GT 2000 – 2002)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 112kW / 223Nm (X 2002 – 2005, XS 2002 – 2005, XS Luxury 2002 – 2005, X Special Edition 2004, X Weekender 2005)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol, 155kW / 320Nm (XT 2003 – 2005, XT Luxury 2003 – 2005)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 121kW / 226Nm (X 2005 – 2008, XS 2005 – 2008, XS Luxury 2005 – 2008, X Weekender 2006, X Luxury 2006 – 2007, X Sports 2006, X Columbia 2007 – 2008)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol, 169kW / 320Nm (XT 2005 – 2008, XT Luxury 2005 – 2008)
Transmission
- 5-speed Manual (GX, Limited, GT, Special Edition Limited, Special Edition GX, GX Special Edition, Limited Special Edition, X, XS, XS Luxury, XT, XT Luxury, X Special Edition, X Weekender, X Luxury, X Sports, X Columbia)
- 4-speed Automatic (GX, Limited, GT, Special Edition Limited, Special Edition GX, GX Special Edition, Limited Special Edition, X, XS, XS Luxury, XT, XT Luxury, X Special Edition, X Weekender, X Luxury, X Sports, X Columbia)
Fuel Consumption
- 7.7 – 9.5 / 100km (GX, GX Special Edition)
- 8.7 – 9.5 / 100km (Limited, Limited Special Edition)
- 7.9 – 10.5 / 100km (GT)
- 7.8 – 9.5 / 100km (Special Edition Limited, Special Edition GX)
- 7.4 – 10.0 / 100km (X Special Edition)
Length
- 0mm – 4530mm (All Models)
Width
- 0mm – 1735mm (All Models)
Height
- 0mm – 1595mm (All Models)
Wheelbase
- 2525mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- 1320kg – 1495kg (All Models)
Towing
- Unknown kg (unbraked) – 1800kg (braked) (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- Not tested (GX, Limited, GT, Special Edition Limited, Special Edition GX, GX Special Edition, Limited Special Edition, X, XS, XS Luxury, XT, XT Luxury, X Weekender)
- 4 stars, tested 2002 (X, X Special Edition)
- 5 stars, tested 2003 (X, XS, XS Luxury, XT, XT Luxury, X Weekender, X Luxury, X Sports)
- 5 stars, tested 2008 (X, X Columbia, XS, XS Luxury, XT, XT Luxury)
Body Styles
- 5 door Wagon
Engine Specs
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 90kW / 176Nm (GX 1997 – 1998, Limited 1997 – 1998)
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 92kW / 184Nm (GX 1998 – 2002, Limited 1998 – 2002, Special Edition Limited 1999 – 2001, Special Edition GX 2001, GX Special Edition 2002, Limited Special Edition 2002)
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol, 125kW / 240Nm (GT 1998 – 2000)
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol, 130kW / 245Nm (GT 2000 – 2002)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 112kW / 223Nm (X 2002 – 2005, XS 2002 – 2005, XS Luxury 2002 – 2005, X Special Edition 2004, X Weekender 2005)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol, 155kW / 320Nm (XT 2003 – 2005, XT Luxury 2003 – 2005)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 121kW / 226Nm (X 2005 – 2008, XS 2005 – 2008, XS Luxury 2005 – 2008, X Weekender 2006, X Luxury 2006 – 2007, X Sports 2006, X Columbia 2007 – 2008)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol, 169kW / 320Nm (XT 2005 – 2008, XT Luxury 2005 – 2008)
Transmission
- 5-speed Manual (GX, Limited, GT, Special Edition Limited, Special Edition GX, GX Special Edition, Limited Special Edition, X, XS, XS Luxury, XT, XT Luxury, X Special Edition, X Weekender, X Luxury, X Sports, X Columbia)
- 4-speed Automatic (GX, Limited, GT, Special Edition Limited, Special Edition GX, GX Special Edition, Limited Special Edition, X, XS, XS Luxury, XT, XT Luxury, X Special Edition, X Weekender, X Luxury, X Sports, X Columbia)
Fuel Consumption
- 7.7 – 9.5 / 100km (GX, GX Special Edition)
- 8.7 – 9.5 / 100km (Limited, Limited Special Edition)
- 7.9 – 10.5 / 100km (GT)
- 7.8 – 9.5 / 100km (Special Edition Limited, Special Edition GX)
- 7.4 – 10.0 / 100km (X Special Edition)
Length
- 0mm – 4530mm (All Models)
Width
- 0mm – 1735mm (All Models)
Height
- 0mm – 1595mm (All Models)
Wheelbase
- 2525mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- 1320kg – 1495kg (All Models)
Towing
- Unknown kg (unbraked) – 1800kg (braked) (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- Not tested (GX, Limited, GT, Special Edition Limited, Special Edition GX, GX Special Edition, Limited Special Edition, X, XS, XS Luxury, XT, XT Luxury, X Weekender)
- 4 stars, tested 2002 (X, X Special Edition)
- 5 stars, tested 2003 (X, XS, XS Luxury, XT, XT Luxury, X Weekender, X Luxury, X Sports)
- 5 stars, tested 2008 (X, X Columbia, XS, XS Luxury, XT, XT Luxury)
Warranty & servicing
Warranty
- 3 years / unlimited km (GX, Limited, GT, GX Special Edition, Limited Special Edition, X, XS, XS Luxury, XT, XT Luxury, X Special Edition, X Weekender, X Luxury, X Sports, X Columbia)
- 3 years / 0 km (GX, Limited, GT, Special Edition GX, Special Edition Limited)
Servicing
- 12,500 km / 6 months (X, XS, XS Luxury, XT, XT Luxury, X Weekender, X Luxury, X Sports, X Columbia)
Buying a used car? Buy a PPSR report first.
Have ultimate peace of mind when buying a used car by purchasing an official PPSR report.
In the market?
Disclaimer
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of Feb 23, 2024.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
Read our full terms and conditions here.
