The 2006 Subaru Forester has been restyled front and rear, though those who knows the Forester won't confuse it with any other car. The new grille is a bit larger, and the headlights and taillight clusters have been reshaped. The net effect is slightly more serious, perhaps more rugged, maybe a bit less frumpy. In the Forester's case, however, frumpy has always been endearing, so we're not sure the changes are an improvement.

Subaru fanatics, and believe us, there are plenty of them out there, will immediately notice the new Forester's slightly taller stance. With adjustments to the suspension, ground clearance has been increased from 7.5 inches to 8.1 inches (7.9 inches on the 2.5 XT Limited) to enhance all-road driving capability. That half-inch is a significant difference.

The Forester isn't likely to turn a lot of heads, although it's sculpted aluminum hood, and particularly the working air scoop on the 2.5XT Limited, subtly scream for attention. Compared to the typical mid-size SUV, the Forester is a small vehicle, but it makes efficient use of interior space. It is, by intent, a fairly boxy machine, and its beauty lies more in its functional design. Despite its upright shape, the Forester is impressively aerodynamic, with a sedan-grade 0.36 coefficient of drag. Other things equal, the more aerodynamic a vehicle is, the less wind noise inside and the better its fuel economy.

The standard roof rack remains flat black. Yet for years, less-expensive Foresters had unpainted gray lower body cladding that only cluttered up the car's shape. For 2006, the lower bumpers and protective cladding are painted to match the body on all variants except the L.L. Bean Edition, which has a contrasting metallic finish down low. It's a welcome improvement, and gives the vehicle a classier look. All Foresters except the base 2.5X also get larger body-color side mirrors with integrated turn signals.

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