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2005 Subaru Forester

Used 2005 Subaru Forester

4.5
rating
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2005 Subaru Forester Exterior: 0
2005 Subaru Forester Lifestyle: 1
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2005 Subaru Forester Lifestyle: 2
2005 Subaru Forester Exterior: 0

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2026
2005
Fuel Economy
20 - 22 combined mpg
Horsepower
173 - 250 hp
Seating
5
Cargo Volume
62.7 - 64.1 cu ft
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2005 Subaru Forester Overview

2005 Subaru Forester Pricing

2005 Subaru Forester pricing starts at $3,900 for the Forester X Sport Utility 4D, which had a starting MSRP of $22,670 when new. The range-topping 2005 Forester XT Sport Utility 4D starts at $4,800 today, originally priced from $27,070.

Original MSRP
KBB Fair Purchase Price (national avg.)
$22,670
$3,900
$25,070
$3,925
$26,970
$4,325
$27,070
$4,800

The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for used 2005 Subaru Forester models in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly.

Forester Consumer Sentiment

Owners give this generation Subaru Forester (2004-2008) a 4.5 out of 5 rating, which is higher than most, and 90% recommend it. These figures are based on 403 consumer reviews, like these:

What Owners are Saying About the 2005 Subaru Forester

"Love this car!"

"I have had my Subaru for 8 years and have been very happy with it. We have had a few repairs over the years (A/C, head gasket, and some minor things). It has finally died (2 cylinders have no compression), but we used it pretty hard and were not very reliable about keeping up with maintenance. It has always gotten us safely through rain, sleet, snow, ice, and on our rough, dirt, unplowed driveway. It was struck by lightning once and only blew a few fuses. We're currently shopping for another Subaru."

"fantastic, comfortable, cost effective,safe"

"This is the best Forester. Great for seniors and women. Great for arthritis limited people. Easy in and out access. The newer ones (2009)and newer are too big, too low milage and too expensive. Too bad they changed a great car."

"Reliable Workhorse"

"I have owned 17 vehicles, 5 of them being Saabs, and found myself falling in love with this versatile little workhorse. I've loaded it full of firewood, muddy dogs & camping gear, but when it's cleaned up, could proudly drive it out to Sat. night dinner. No problems whatsoever."

Overall 2005 Subaru Forester Quality

User sentiment suggests the overall quality of the 2005 Subaru Forester is above average for its class. Owners rated the 2005 Subaru Forester quality a 4.5 out of 5.

2005 Subaru Forester Reliability

The 2005 Subaru Forester receives an average consumer rating of 4.5 overall and a 4.7 for reliability, which means owners consider its reliability to be above average.

Favorite 2005 Forester Features

According to drivers of the 2005 Forester, here are some of its best features:

  • Reliable and safe, especially in bad weather
  • Too bad it is no longer available
  • Handles like a race-car.
  • Comfort
  • Quality, reliability, comfort, safety, versatility

2005 Subaru Forester MPG by Trim

2005 Forester X Sport Utility 4D - city 20 MPG - hwy 26 MPG

2005 Forester XS Sport Utility 4D - city 20 MPG - hwy 26 MPG

2005 Forester XS LL Bean Edition Sport Utility 4D - city 20 MPG - hwy 26 MPG

2005 Forester XT Sport Utility 4D - city 18 MPG - hwy 22 MPG

2005 Forester Safety

2005 Subaru Forester Safety Features

  • Child Door Locks
  • Child Seat Anchors
  • Driver Airbag
  • Passenger Airbag
  • Rear Side Airbag
  • Front Side Airbag
  • Rear Parking Sensors
More About How We Rate Vehicles
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New Subaru Forester Deals and Incentives

APR

0.9% APR | 36 months

Get 0.9% APR Financing for 36 Months on a new 2026 Forester Touring.

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End Date: 03/31/2026
LEASE

$249 /mo | 36 months | Due at Signing

Lease a new 2026 Forester Base for $249/month lease for 36 months with $4,248 due at signing.

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End Date: 03/31/2026
See All Current Forester Deals

2005 Subaru Forester
KBB.com Consumer Reviews

4.5
Consumer Rating
Based on 403 Consumer Reviews
Write a Review
85%Recommend this vehicle
Value
4.6
Performance
4.6
Quality
4.5
Comfort
4.4
Reliability
4.7
Styling
4.4

Trending Topics in KBB.com Consumer Reviews

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2005 Subaru Forester Values and Prices

Style
Trade-In Value
Private Party Value
Fair Purchase Price
$600
$3,350
$3,900
$2,150
$3,425
$3,925
$1,725
$3,750
$4,325
$1,750
$4,175
$4,800
Values above are based on "Good" condition vehicles. Estimated Trade-In Values range from about $600 to $2,150 depending on vehicle style. Estimated Private Party Values range from about $3,350 to $4,175 depending on vehicle style. Values and prices are based on national averages and typical mileage for this model, but they can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. Valid through 3/14/2026.
Trade-In Value
Trade-In Value is the amount you can expect to receive this week when trading in your vehicle at a dealership.
Private Party Value
Private Party Value is the fair price you can expect when selling your car to an individual, not to a dealer.
Fair Purchase Price
Fair Purchase Price shows what others in your area are actually paying for this vehicle.
See Full Specs for All 2005 Subaru Forester Styles
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2005 Subaru Forester Depreciation

A 2005 Subaru Forester has a current resale value of $3,350 and trade-in value of $600.

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2005 Subaru Forester Annual Depreciation

Year
Vehicle Depreciation*
Resale Value
Trade-In Value
2023
$314
$2,789
$1,187
2024
$390
$2,399
$675
2025
$150
$2,249
$495
Now
+ $1,101
$3,350
$600
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2-Year Forecasted Depreciation

*Depreciation for the last 12 months of the private party resale value.

2005 Subaru Forester Depreciation

Annual Depreciation is an estimation of what your vehicle's value might be over time based on an average of similar vehicles. Estimations are calculated by comparing Kelley Blue Book Private Party Values of vehicles similar to yours over time, as well as forecasts from Manheim Auction data comparing current and projected auction values against current Kelley Blue Book Private Party and Trade-In Values. This is not a guarantee of actual depreciation. Local weather conditions, market factors and driver performance will also impact your vehicle's actual depreciation.


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Car Financing
101

Specifications

Dimensions, Weights & Capacities

Curb Weight
3090 lbs.
EPA Passenger
93.5 cu.ft.
Fuel Capacity
15.9 gallons
Front Head Room
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room
43.6 inches
Max Seating Capacity
5
Minimum Ground Clearance
7.5 inches
Overall Length
175.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room
53.5 inches
Towing Capacity, Maximum
2400 lbs.
Trunk or Cargo Capacity
64.1 cu.ft.
Turning Diameter
34.8 feet
Wheel Base
99.4 inches
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
4120 lbs.
Width with mirrors
68.3 inches

Exterior

Alloy Wheels
Available
Moon Roof/Sun Roof
Available
Number of Doors
4 doors
Privacy Glass
Available
Roof Rails
Available

Fuel Economy

City
20 mpg
Highway
26 mpg
Combined
22 mpg

Mechanical

Drivetrain
AWD
Transmission Type
Automatic
Recommended Fuel
Regular

Performance

Horsepower
173 @ 5600 RPM
Torque
166 @ 4000 rpm
Engine
4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter

Warranty

Basic
3 years / 36000 miles
Powertrain
5 years / 60000 miles
Corrosion
5 years / Unlimited miles

Comfort & Convenience

  • Climate Control Air Conditioning

Entertainment

  • DVD Entertainment System
  • MP3 Player
  • CD Player

Interior

  • Power Windows
  • Tilt Steering Wheel

Seating

  • Leather Seats
  • Dual Power Front Seats
  • Power Driver's Seat

Technology

  • Cruise Control
  • Hands Free Phone
  • Navigation System

2005 Subaru Forester Safety

Safety Features & Technology

  • Child Door Locks
  • Child Seat Anchors
  • Driver Airbag
  • Passenger Airbag
  • Rear Side Airbag
  • Front Side Airbag
  • Rear Parking Sensors
Not Available

Crash Test Rating

Provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
2004 rating shown. 2005 may differ.
Driver Front
5.0
Passenger Front
5.0
Front Side
5.0
Rear Side
5.0
Rollover Rating
4.0

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See Details
Price
$3,900
$3,250
$5,225
$3,725
KBB.com Rating
N/A
3.4
3.8
N/A
Consumer Rating
4.5
4.0
4.3
4.3
Fuel Economy
City 20/Hwy 26/Comb 22 MPG
City 22/Hwy 26/Comb 24 MPG
City 20/Hwy 27/Comb 23 MPG
City 14/Hwy 20/Comb 16 MPG
Fuel Type
Gas
Gas
Gas
Gas
Safety Rating
N/A
4.0
4.0
N/A
Seating Capacity5557
Basic Warranty
3 years or 36000 miles
3 years or 36000 miles
5 years or 60000 miles
4 years or 50000 miles
Horsepower
173 @ 5600 RPM
170 @ 6000 RPM
176 @ 6000 RPM
280 @ 6200 RPM
Engine
4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter
4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter
4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter
V6, 3.6 Liter
Drivetrain
AWD
AWD
2WD
AWD

2005 Subaru Forester Rankings

More Subaru Forester News & Information

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A Look Inside the 2026 Subaru Forester

The 2026 Subaru Forester has a wealth of technology, cargo room, and conveniences. Here’s a look inside.

Michael Strong February 16, 2026
Compact SUV Crossover
Subaru Forester, Forester Hybrid Prices Drop

Subaru has dropped prices on all Forester Hybrids and many gas-powered Foresters for model year 2026, the company has announced.

Dee Steel February 11, 2026
Comparison
2026 Subaru Forester: Which Engine Should I Choose?

2026 Subaru Forester gas vs. hybrid powertrains: Compare price, efficiency, performance, towing, and trims to find your best fit.

Alan Davis December 12, 2025

FAQs

Is 2005 a good year for a Subaru Forester?

Owners of the vehicle give it 4.5 out of 5 stars. To find out if the 2005 Forester is the right car for you, check out the pros and cons, trims, specs and options at Kelley Blue Book.

Is the Subaru Forester 2005 a good SUV?

Owners of the vehicle give it 4.5 out of 5 stars. To find out if the 2005 Forester is the right car for you, check out the pros and cons, trims, specs and options at Kelley Blue Book.

What is the MPG for a 2005 Subaru Forester?

The 2005 Subaru Forester gets 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

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