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2004 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Road Test

I had something close to a perfect day recently. Its not every week that I have a few days off from work and lifes day-to-day complexities to retreat to one of North Americas premier ski destinations, and then get to stay for more an extended period of time. Yes, the weekend excursions are fun, but all too brief.

The day started off with me sleeping in, eating a couple pieces of peanut butter toast, a banana, and some caramel ice cream. The sun was shining without a cloud in the sky and there was unlimited visibility. I was ready to hit the slopes with my boyfriend, best friend, and some other buddies. I packed my snowboard and my boyfriends 198 cm long powder skis into the Subaru Forester 2.5XT without hassle and headed for the hills.

Recently I had the chance to pack up the Subaru Forester 2.5XT and head to one of North Americas premier ski destinations. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press) align="justify">After a good half hour trek up the ridge of the back country mountains, we reached our destination at a vertical limit of 5,000 plus feet, descended through virgin powder, only to traverse out for the next two and a half hours. It was a lot of work for the short amount of time we actually spent skiing and boarding but it was well worth it.

I had a great cardio workout, spent time with

The Forester had ample cargo room for all my snowboard gear, plus head and legroom for the 64" boyfriend, and then some. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

my favorite people, and after the day was done, drove home in a Subaru. Life is good.

Having the 2004 Subaru Forester 2.5XT as my set of wheels during my week away was wonderful. It handled marvelously in snowy and slippery conditions, and gripped even better on dry roads. The ride (Subaru describes it best), has "sport-utility toughness and car-like performance," due to its fully independent suspension. It has ample cargo room for all my snowboard gear, head and legroom for the 64" boyfriend, and then some.

With its plastic storage bin covering the back cargo area, the Forester comes prepared to get dirty. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press) align="justify">Although I do not have a roof rack to store my snowboard, if I had one it would have been easy to hook up because the Forester already comes standard with locking roof rack cross bars. The 2.5XT is ready for the mountain straight from the lot.

I also found it quite handy that the trunk is equipped with a plastic storage bin on top of the standard full-size spare tire, making it easy to clean up any excess dirt left behind from my boots or board. Like I said, the Forester is prepared to get down and dirty as soon as you drive it off the showroom floor.

Speaking of driving it off the

Due to its turbocharged and intercooled 2.5-litre, DOHC, 16-valve, 4-cylinder "boxer" engine, the Forester XT had no problems passing slower cars on the way up to the ski hill. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

floor, when I needed that extra bit of zing to pass fellow commuters the XT responded in record time, 0 to 60 in 6.7 seconds to be exact, due to its turbocharged and intercooled 2.5-litre, DOHC, 16-valve, horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder "boxer" engine. This 2004 model year is the first in which a turbocharged engine is offered. It produces 210 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 235 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm. Although I had the optional 4-speed electronic direct control automatic transmission (4EAT), I was still able to feel the full potential of the torque when gearing down from Drive to 3rd gear. The pull was very noticeable but still comfortable; not jerky as some transmissions can be. The use of engine braking was ideal when

The XT comes equipped with a 6-disc in-dash CD changer and an amazing sound system. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

descending down hills or just driving in traffic, not forcing me to tap on the actual brakes all of the time.

But when needed the brakes come on strong. In the front, the 2.5XT features ventilated discs with twin piston calipers, and in the rear solid discs with single piston calipers. Also standard on the 2.5XT is the 4-wheel, 4-channel, 4-sensor ABS, an ideal system especially when driving in the snow.

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