1. Home
  2. New Cars
  3. Subaru
  4. Forester
 
2003 Subaru Forester

2003 Subaru Forester Rebates and Incentives

Prices and Incentives

Dealer Price:
$20,845 - $25,645

Original MSRP:
$19,044 - $23,274

Get a Quote
Color Options
NHTSA CRASH TEST RESULTS
Overall Safety Rating

Frontal crash ratings:
Driver: *  *  *  *  *  Passenger: *  *  *  *  * 

Side crash ratings:
Driver: *  *  *  *  *  Rear Passenger: *  *  *  *  * 

Results based on a 35 MPH frontal crash and 38.5 MPH side crash. Results are reported in a range of one to five stars, with five stars indicating the best crash protection for vehicles within the same weight class. This test used driver and passenger belts and airbags.

NHTSA ROLLOVER RESISTANCE RATING: *  *  * 

The Rollover Resistance Rating is an estimate of your risk of rolling over if you have a single vehicle crash. It does not predict the likelihood of that crash. The Rollover Resistance Rating essentially measures vehicle characteristics of center of gravity and track width to determine how "top-heavy" a vehicle is. The more "top-heavy" the vehicle, the more likely it is to roll over. The lowest rated vehicles (1-star) are at least four times more likely to roll over than the highest rated vehicles (5-stars).
See all Safety Rating Results
2003 Subaru Forester Review
"Redesigned as an early 2003 entry, Forester gets new styling and more leg room than its 1998-2002 predecessor, but stays within the compact-SUV class. As before, this is basically a tall wagon that shares its powertrain and many underskin components with Subaru's Impreza subcompact cars. Wheelbase is unchanged for '03, while front and rear leg room increase fractionally, and head room decreases slightly. Forester offers a base 2.5X model, uplevel 2.5XS, and due this Summer as an early '04, a turbocharged 2.5 XT. Unchanged for '03 is the X and XS's horizontally opposed 2.5-liter 4-cyl engine. XTs offer a similar engine but with turbocharging for a boost in horsepower from 165 to 210. All come with manual or automatic transmission and all-wheel drive without low-range gearing. Manual-transmission models resurrect Subaru's Hill Holder feature designed to prevent rolling on inclines with the clutch-pedal depressed. Antilock brakes are again standard, and are joined for '03 by standard head-and-chest-protecting front side airbags. All models use 16-inch wheels. Air conditioning, power windows/locks/mirrors, tilt steering, CD player, and remote keyless entry are also standard. Leather upholstery is available on automatic-transmission XS and XT models fitted with the optional Premium Package."
Warranty Information
Basic: 3 Years/36,000 Miles
Recalls Issued
US NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 02V282
Number of Units Affected 16,3243
Summary Certain passenger and sport utility vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions were produced with an improperly manufactured transmission parking rod. When the transmission selector lever is placed in the "P" (Park) position, the transmission park mechanism, which is intended to hold the vehicle, may not engage. The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy Dealers will replace the automatic transmission parking rod assembly. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during January 2003. An interim owner notification will be sent during November 2002. Owners should contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Dates of Manufacture June 2001 - September 2002

2003 Subaru Forester Models & Prices

2003 Subaru Forester X
Dealer Price Dealer Invoice Pricing Estimated Payments
4dr 2.5 X Manual $20,845 $19,044 $311 / Month*
4dr 2.5 X Auto $21,645 $19,763 $322 / Month*
Request the Internet Price

2003 Subaru Forester XS
Dealer Price Dealer Invoice Pricing Estimated Payments
4dr 2.5 XS Manual $23,095 $20,987 $342 / Month*
4dr 2.5 XS Auto $23,895 $21,706 $354 / Month*
4dr 2.5 XS Manual w/Premium Pkg $24,095 $21,883 $357 / Month*
4dr 2.5 XS Auto w/Premium Pkg $24,895 $22,602 $369 / Month*
4dr 2.5 XS Auto w/Prem Pkg & Lthr $25,645 $23,274 $380 / Month*
Request the Internet Price

2003 Subaru Forester Features and Standard Equipment

EMISSIONS CERTIFICATION Features
X XS
LEV certified (2.5L engine/4-speed auto trans) • •
LEV certified (2.5L engine/5-speed manual trans) • •
EPA FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS Features
X XS
City 21/hwy 27 (2.5L engine/4-speed auto trans) • •
City 21/hwy 27 (2.5L engine/5-speed manual trans) • •
EXTERIOR Features
X XS
Aluminum-alloy hood • •
Automatic-off halogen headlamps • •
Black fold away pwr mirrors •  
Body-color body-side cladding & bumpers   •
Daytime running lights • •
Large gray metallic fold away heated pwr mirrors   •
Monotone paint   •
Multi-reflector fog lights • •
Pwr moonroof w/auto open/close   •
Rear window wiper/washer w/de-icer • •
Roof rack w/crossbars • •
Steel gray metallic painted body-side cladding & bumpers   •
Textured gray body-side cladding & bumpers •  
Two-tone paint • •
Variable intermittent windshield wipers •  
Variable intermittent windshield wipers w/de-icer   •
INTERIOR Features
X XS
(2) cargo area grocery bag hooks • •
(3) Cargo area subfloor storage compartments/(1) storage bucket • •
(4) cargo area tie down hooks • •
60/40 split fold down rear bench seat w/head restraints on all seating positions • •
Air conditioning •  
Automatic climate control system   •
Cargo area cover • •
Cargo area light • •
Center console-inc: auxiliary pwr outlet, cup holders • •
Chrome inner door handles   •
Cruise control • •
Dome light w/delay feature • •
Driver seat height/tilt/lumbar adjusters • •
Dual cargo area storage pockets • •
Electronic AM/FM/weatherband stereo w/cassette, in-dash 6-disc compact disc changer-inc: (4) speakers   •
Electronic AM/FM/weatherband stereo w/compact disc-inc: (4) speakers •  
Front bucket dual-mode heated seats w/height adjustable head restraints   •
Front bucket seats w/height adjustable head restraints •  
Front seatback pockets   •
Front/rear carpeted floor mats • •
Illuminated ignition switch   •
In-glass antenna • •
Instrumentation-inc: tachometer, digital dual-mode trip odometer, ambient temp gauge, engine coolant temp guage, low-fuel light • •
Leather seat trim   •
Leather-wrapped steering wheel/shifter/parking brake handle   •
Moquette cloth seat trim   •
Overhead console-inc: dual map lights, storage • •
Pwr door locks • •
Pwr windows-inc: driver-side one-touch down, illuminated switches • •
Rear 12-volt pwr outlet • •
Rear retractable cup holders • •
Rear window defroster w/timer • •
Remote keyless entry • •
Silver metallic interior accents • •
Tilt steering column • •
Tricot visor vanity mirrors   •
Upper dash storage pocket-inc: digital clock • •
Visor vanity mirrors •  
Woven cloth seat trim •  
MECHANICAL Features
X XS
15.9 gallon fuel tank • •
16" alloy wheels   •
16" styled steel wheels •  
2.5L SOHC SMPI 16-valve 4-cyl horizontally opposed "Phase II" engine • •
4-speed automatic transmission w/OD • •
4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) • •
5-speed manual transmission w/OD & "Hill Holder" system • •
All-wheel drive • •
Electronic brake-force distribution (EBD)   •
Front/rear stabilizer bar • •
Full-size spare tire • •
HD raised independent front/rear suspension • •
P215/60HR16 all-season SBR RWL tires • •
Pwr vented front disc/rear drum brakes •  
Pwr vented front/solid rear disc brakes   •
Remote fuel filler door release • •
Speed-sensitive variable assist pwr rack & pinion steering • •
Viscous limited-slip rear differential   •
SAFETY Features
X XS
(3) rear child safety seat anchors • •
3-point seatbelts on all seating positions • •
Active front seat head restraints • •
Child safety rear door locks • •
Driver & front passenger side-impact airbags (SRS) • •
Driver airbag (SRS) • •
Dual-stage front passenger airbag (SRS) • •
Energy-absorbing collapsible steering column • •
Front/rear 5-mph impact-absorbing bumpers • •
Height adjustable shoulder belts on all outboard seating positions • •
Side-impact door beams • •

2003 Subaru Forester Options and Addition Equipment

INTERIOR COLOR Options
X XS
BEIGE INTERIOR COLOR *2002* • •
GRAY INTERIOR COLOR *2002* • •
MODEL OPTION Options
X XS
PREMIUM PKG -inc: *Contents listed in STDs*   •
NOTE Options
X XS
** VARIOUS ADDITIONAL PORT INSTALLED OPTIONS MAY BE AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA-SEE YOUR AREA DEALER FOR A COMPLETE LIST ** • •
PAINT Options
X XS
STANDARD PAINT • •
PORT INSTALLED OPTIONS Options
X XS
16" ALUMINUM WHEELS •  
6-DISC IN-DASH CD CHANGER •  
AIR FILTRATION KIT • •
ASPEN WHITE REAR SPOILER • •
ASPEN WHITE SPLASH GUARDS   •
AUTO-DIMMING MIRROR W/COMPASS • •
BEIGE ARMREST EXTENSION • •
CARGO BIN • •
CARGO TRAY • •
CAYENNE RED PEARL REAR SPOILER • •
CAYENNE RED PEARL SPLASH GUARDS   •
CUSTOM TAIL PIPE COVER • •
F4E POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 1A SAVINGS *DISCOUNT*   •
F4F POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 1B SAVINGS *DISCOUNT*   •
F4G POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 2 SAVINGS *DISCOUNT* • •
F4H POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 1C SAVINGS *DISCOUNT*   •
F4J POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 1D SAVINGS *DISCOUNT*   •
F4K POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 1E SAVINGS *DISCOUNT*   •
F4M POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 1F SAVINGS *DISCOUNT*   •
F4N POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 3A SAVINGS *DISCOUNT* • •
F4P POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 3B SAVINGS *DISCOUNT* • •
F4Q POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 4 SAVINGS *DISCOUNT* • •
F4R PREMIUM SOUND PKG 1 SAVINGS *DISCOUNT* •  
F4S PREMIUM SOUND PKG 2 SAVINGS *DISCOUNT* • •
GRAY ARMREST EXTENSION • •
JAVA BLACK REAR SPOILER   •
JAVA BLACK SPLASH GUARDS   •
LEATHER SHIFT KNOB •  
MAT BLACK BRUSH GUARD • •
MAT BLACK SPLASH GUARDS •  
PACIFICA BLUE METALLIC REAR SPOILER • •
PLATINUM SILVER REAR SPOILER • •
PLATINUM SILVER SPLASH GUARDS   •
POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 1A -inc: rear bumper cover, cargo tray, steel gray splash guards *GROSS*   •
POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 1B -inc: rear bumper cover, cargo tray, aspen white splash guards *GROSS*   •
POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 1C -inc: rear bumper cover, cargo tray, platinum silver splash guards *GROSS*   •
POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 1D -inc: rear bumper cover, cargo tray, java black splash guards *GROSS*   •
POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 1E -inc: rear bumper cover, cargo tray, cayenne red splash guards *GROSS*   •
POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 1F -inc: rear bumper cover, cargo tray, sierra gold splash guards *GROSS*   •
POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 2 -inc: security system upgrade, custom tail pipe cover, auto-dimming mirror w/compass *GROSS* • •
POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 3A -inc: air filter, rear cargo net, beige armrest extension *GROSS* • •
POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 3B -inc: air filter, rear cargo net, gray armrest extension *GROSS* • •
POPULAR EQUIPMENT GROUP 4 -inc: cargo bin, rubber floor mats *GROSS* • •
PREMIUM SOUND PKG 1 -inc: 6-disc in-dash CD changer, tweeter kit, upgraded speakers, subwoofer/amplifier *GROSS* •  
PREMIUM SOUND PKG 2 -inc: tweeter kit, upgraded speakers, subwoofer/amplifier *GROSS* • •
REAR BUMPER COVER   •
REAR CARGO NET • •
REAR DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTOR • •
REAR SEATBACK CARGO NET • •
REAR WINDOW DUST DEFLECTOR • •
RUBBER FLOOR MATS • •
SECURITY SYSTEM UPGRADE • •
SIDE CARGO NETS • •
SIERRA GOLD REAR SPOILER • •
SIERRA GOLD SPLASH GUARDS   •
STEEL GRAY BRUSH GUARD   •
STEEL GRAY SPLASH GUARDS   •
SUBWOOFER/AMPLIFIER • •
TRAILER HITCH • •
TWEETER KIT • •
UPGRADED SPEAKERS • •
WHEEL LOCKS • •
WOODLAND GREEN REAR SPOILER • •
REGIONAL DESTINATION CHARGE Options
X XS
SUBARU DISTRIBUTOR CORPORATION DESTINATION CHARGE ADJUSTMENT -inc: additional destination charge for New York & northern New Jersey *2002* • •
SUBARU OF AMERICA ALASKA DESTINATION CHARGE ADJUSTMENT -inc: additional destination charge for Alaska • •
SUBARU OF AMERICA NATIONAL DESTINATION CHARGE ADJUSTMENT -inc: continental national region *2002* • •
SEAT TRIM Options
X XS
CLOTH SEAT TRIM (STD) *2002* • •
LEATHER SEAT TRIM (STD) *2002*   •

2003 Subaru Forester Technical Specifications

Brakes
X XS
Brake ABS System 4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Front (Yes or ) Yes Yes
Disc - Rear (Yes or ) Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in) 10.8 x 0.9 11.4 x 0.9
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in) 10.3 x 0.4
Cargo Area Dimensions
X XS
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in) 37.0 37.0
Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft) 64.1 64.1
Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft) 32.0 32.0
Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft) N/A N/A
Engine
X XS
Displacement 2.5L/150 2.5L/150
Engine Type Gas Flat 4-Cyl Gas Flat 4-Cyl
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM 165 @ 5600 165 @ 5600
SAE Net Torque @ RPM 166 @ 4000 166 @ 4000
Exterior Dimensions
X XS
Height, Overall (in) 62.6 62.6
Length, Overall (in) 175.2 175.2
Min Ground Clearance (in) 7.5 7.5
Wheelbase (in) 99.4 99.4
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in) 68.3 68.3
Fuel Tank
X XS
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal) 15.9 15.9
Steering
X XS
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering) 3.0 3.0
Steering Type Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft) 34.7 34.7
Suspension
X XS
Suspension Type - Front HD Raised HD Raised
Suspension Type - Rear HD Raised HD Raised
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.) w/Parallel Links w/Parallel Links
Tires
X XS
Front Tire Size P215/60HR16 P215/60HR16
Rear Tire Size P215/60HR16 P215/60HR16
Transmission
X XS
Drivetrain All Wheel Drive All Wheel Drive
Trans Description Cont. Manual w/OD Manual w/OD
Trans Type 5 5
Vehicle
X XS
Front Head Room (in) 39.8 39.8
Front Leg Room (in) 43.6 43.6
Front Shoulder Room (in) 53.5 53.5
Passenger Capacity 5 5
Passenger Volume (ft) 93.5 93.5
Second Head Room (in) 39.8 39.8
Second Leg Room (in) 33.7 33.7
Second Shoulder Room (in) 53.6 53.6
Weight Information
X XS
Base Curb Weight (lbs) 3090 3095

2003 Subaru Forester Safety Features

Safety Features
4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Driver airbag (SRS)
Dual-stage front passenger airbag (SRS)
Driver & front passenger side-impact airbags (SRS)
3-point seatbelts on all seating positions
Height adjustable shoulder belts on all outboard seating positions
Child safety rear door locks
(3) rear child safety seat anchors
Active front seat head restraints
Energy-absorbing collapsible steering column
Front/rear 5-mph impact-absorbing bumpers
Side-impact door beams
Daytime running lights
News Reports & Reviews
NHTSA CRASH TEST RESULTS
NHTSA CRASH TEST RESULTS

Frontal crash ratings:
Driver: *  *  *  *  *  Passenger: *  *  *  *  * 

Side crash ratings:
Driver: *  *  *  *  *  Rear Passenger: *  *  *  *  * 

Results based on a 35 MPH frontal crash and 38.5 MPH side crash. Results are reported in a range of one to five stars, with five stars indicating the best crash protection for vehicles within the same weight class. This test used driver and passenger belts and airbags.

NHTSA ROLLOVER RESISTANCE RATING: *  *  * 

The Rollover Resistance Rating is an estimate of your risk of rolling over if you have a single vehicle crash. It does not predict the likelihood of that crash. The Rollover Resistance Rating essentially measures vehicle characteristics of center of gravity and track width to determine how "top-heavy" a vehicle is. The more "top-heavy" the vehicle, the more likely it is to roll over. The lowest rated vehicles (1-star) are at least four times more likely to roll over than the highest rated vehicles (5-stars).