Performance Review: Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Turbo - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Subaru Forester Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Subaru Forester has a 1994cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a F formation.

Alternative Petrol F4's includes the 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI R205 Spec C - Hatch

The Forester shares its Petrol F4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI R205 Spec C - Hatch and the 2010 Subaru Impreza STI CS 400 - Cosworth - Hatch. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Forester's All Wheel Drive, Estate combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1390 kgs (3064 lbs) this makes the Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Turbo in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Subaru Forester shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1994cc 16V F4 engine produces 216 bhp (161 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo F4 throws out 228 lb-ft (309.1 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Subaru Forester you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR (180.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Subaru Forester.

The Subaru Forester has a Power to weight ratio of 155.3 bhp per ton and 164.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 Forester competing with the 1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR (180.3 bhp per ton) or the 2005 Chrysler 300 c 5.7 V8 (180.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Subaru Forester generating around 164.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (188.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2007 Mazda 3 MPS 2.3T (188.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.9 secs, this made the Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Turbo as fast as the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the or the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 265 DSG (5.70 secs). This Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Turbo is also faster than the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the and the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Forester and the 2006 Infiniti G35 3.5 V6 X

When talking about the performance of the Subaru Forester on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.66 secs @ 93.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2006 Infiniti G35 3.5 V6 X (14.60 secs), the 1959 Ferrari 250 GT 3.0L V12 (14.62 secs), and the 1998 Toyota Mark II 2.5 Tourer V (14.62 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Turbo has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 Forester equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Turbo then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

2003 Forester Rivals List.

A Brief History of Subaru

Car Comparison