Subaru Forester SF5: specifications, photos and owner reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

The handsome man that many dream of, the Subaru Forester SF5, station wagon, is all-wheel drive. The opinions of drivers about this brand are divided: some consider the car convenient and modern, others do not recommend buying it. Japanese designers took into account all the negative reviews about previous generations of the car and did a good job on their new brainchild. The technical stuffing, exterior and security system have been updated. What is the essence of this "Japanese"?

Short description

The car is interesting from the outside, and the interior decoration is conceived by the designers in a peculiar way. The Subaru Forester SF5 model is endowed with a beautiful body kit and a large number of nameplates. In the 2001 version, the STi is very different from its "brothers" with a front bumper with plugs as an alternative to the "fogs". Roof linings are produced without the usual lugs, which can hardly be called roof rails.

The car has grown a little in size, so the windows have grown. Improvement touched the air intake and ventilation systems. In general, the model receivedstylish modern look.

The sidewall of the Subaru Forester SF5 has a "predatory" contour, giving a slight hint of the motives of the appearance of the future generation of foreign cars. What will please the car in technical terms?

Some technical secrets

At the start of its ascent, the car knew all the delights of a four-cylinder engine that operated on gasoline. It was endowed with a volume of 2 and 2.5 liters, endowing with a capacity of 111 and 165 "horses". Then, turbocharged power units with a character of 175 hp were included in the development. With. For these engines, A-95 gasoline is used, and a distribution injection system is built in. The difference between boxer engines in the low center of gravity, compact dimensions. Timing in cars is equipped with a toothed belt. This motor is rated by most owners as the owner of increased reliability parameters of the cylinder head. The main characteristic feature of the turbocharged Subaru Forester SF5 is the large air intake, and it is immediately visible in the road rut among other vehicles.

A worthy trait

Test drives of engineers behind, and all of them, together with life practice, show excellent performance properties of the "forester". This line of models is built on the basis of a passenger car with a minimum number of rolls, good directional stability, and the car has good dynamic performance. Many drivers like the informative qualities of the steering.

There is one morea positive moment: off-road, the motorist learns all the nuances of a well-thought-out suspension. The part is often called "indestructible" because of the ability to carry heavy loads. This is the result of the participation of the designers who created the “heart” of the Subaru Forester SF5 EJ205, which became famous on the race tracks.

Motor features

The Japanese concern prefers to see installation with an opposite layout on all its "brainchildren". Practical Subaru Forester SF5 engines are endowed with a whole "palette" of advantages. These are reliability, high power components, excellent power qualities. Some difficulties arise during the repair work. In this regard, self-repair is an almost impossible undertaking. The choice of a car service cannot be called easy either, since not all service station specialists understand the intricacies of the “forester” mechanisms and can restore the options for its motor part.

Interesting facts about SF EJ engines

Oppositniks are designed similarly to a powerful V-format motor. Its peculiarity is that the camber angle is not straight, it equals 180 degrees. The pistons in them work synchronously, unlike in-line variations. This is the difference between Subaru and other foreign cars. It has been installed since 1963 and is found only in the Romanian Oltcit Club models, and Porsche also uses it for a racing mode of transport. These power units deliver more frontal collision safety and are lightweight. Everything in this brand is extraordinary, and even optics.

Design "highlights" - which headlights are onSubaru?

Lights give an individual image to any car model. Original Subaru Forester SF5 headlights will not let you down when traveling on night roads, but sometimes motorists prefer to install analog DEPO options. Some car owners perform restyling of lights by installing lenses in headlights or buying "angel eyes" in specialized auto shops. Although the "native" optics also looks impressive. Standard equipment has halogen lamps, which vehicle owners change to xenon. What else is remarkable about this SUV?

Wisdom of the device of transmissions

For a world-class automaker, the gearbox is made to order by Jatco. The company occupies a leading position among the manufacturers of gearboxes. This is a guarantee of quality: high-quality products rarely fall into the hands of servicemen. Serious repairs happen infrequently. With a careless, irresponsible approach to maintenance, the “machine” breaks down, and it is difficult to do without the help of specialists. Minus - the long shaft of the fluid coupling overloads the bearing too much, leading to its rapid wear. As a result, an ATF leak is observed. It's bad that the bearing cannot be changed, and the whole set has to be changed. The main emphasis should also be placed on the use of only ATF recommended by the manufacturer. What else is unusual about the design?

Automatic transmission characteristics

Auto experts describe the transmission unit from the positive side.

• Automatic transmission system Subaru Forester SF5was liked by motorists for its affordable price.
• Due to the abundance of sensors, it is easy to recognize the problem during diagnosis.
• The design is simple and durable.
• Improved clutch drum formula for smooth shifting. The resource of the boxes is designed for 300,000 km with a low probability of costly repairs.

What can ruin the mechanism?

What are the negative factors influencing the "machine"? The operation of the Subaru Forester SF5 STi automatic transmission is adversely affected by aggressive driving habits, the driver's desire for a sporty driving style. Overloading a car, using it as a tugboat, has a bad effect. How to protect the knot from damage?

• Mechanics recommend keeping oil levels under control.
• You should not delay visiting a car service in case of the first alarm signals in the form of knocks, suspicious noises.

How much repair is possible in different devices of the machine?

On the maintainability of mechanisms

In the Subaru Forester SF5, according to their owners, there are no special problems with drives, in particular with the choice of cv joints. Internal "grenades" practically do not fall out of the operating mode.

It is convenient to repair the hubs due to their collapsibility. Just take out the bearing. The repair is economically beneficial.

Shock absorbers on all modifications, including the Subaru Forester SF5 EJ20 and other versions, are not problematic. The range of products on the marketMade in Taiwan, products from KYB, Monroe, Boge.

The steering columns are quite well made and their dismantling is not difficult. A car enthusiast can purchase them to order at an affordable price. Full repair kits will cost inexpensively - at a price of 4 thousand rubles.

Reviews about the crossover

Not all owners of a Japanese vehicle are satisfied with the interior: many believe that it is cramped, especially for the rear seats. It is also difficult for tall people to fit without touching the ceiling. The interior decoration is embarrassing. The fabric upholstery is pleasant to the touch, but does not match the cheap plastic, which has a rough surface and is too hard.

The 4WD gearbox is quite noisy. You can't hear it until 1000 rpm. The entire mass of movement is calculated mainly on the front wheels, and the rear ones come into action only during slippage. Yes, it saves fuel, but causes problems with 4WD.

According to the manufacturer, Japanese brands are not afraid of corrosion, but life shows the opposite: after 10 years of active use, any unit turns into a rusty vessel. Some motorists do not like the clutch. It is described as "too tight" and long-stroke, with a fuzzy actuation moment. Each driver chooses a car according to his character, so it is unlikely that engineering is ready to please everyone.