2004 Subaru Forester/Baja Turbo

2004 Subaru Baja Turbo

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The WRX’s glow of performance is finally shining on the rest of the Subaru lineup. This fall a newly turbocharged version of Subaru’s 2.5-liter flat four finds its way under the hoods of the Forester small SUV and the Baja trucklet. Of course they’re both better for it. But one’s better than the other.

Not quite a WRX

This new turbo motor isn’t the WRX engine. It’s a single turbo system producing a maximum 11.6 psi of boost that bumps the 2.5’s output from 165 to 210 horsepower at 5600 rpm and a hearty 235 pound-feet of torque at 3600 rpm. It’s not peaky, completely civilized, and knocks out good torque from off idle up to redline. However it does demand a steady diet of premium grade fuel. The same engine goes into both the Forester 2.5 XT and the Baja Turbo.

Naturally the extra 45 horsepower makes both vehicles significantly more athletic. But, except for new larger hood scoops to feed the intercooler mounted above the engine, it’s tough to tell that there’s more power aboard from the outside. The Forester gets new six-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels inside P215/60R-16 Yokohama Geolander tires, but the all-independent suspension (struts in front and back) is otherwise unchanged.

The Baja Turbo also gets new six-spoke 16-inch wheels and P215/60R-16 tires, but the suspension (struts in front, a multi-link system in the back) has been raised slightly to give the vehicle a more off-roadish looking.

Both vehicles also come with four-wheel disc brakes, ABS, and naturally, all-wheel drive. However it’s a different all-wheel-drive system depending on which transmission is aboard. Order the five-speed and the “Continuous All-Wheel Drive” system is used and includes a viscous-coupling center differential. Order the automatic and an electronically controlled, continuously variable hydraulic clutch is used in a system Subaru calls Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) all-wheel drive.

With its variable valve timing, 16 valves and generally good-natured personality, there are few sweeter turbo engines than the new Subaru 2.5. But it’s not a rip-snort sportster as in the 300-horsepower WRX STi. It feels, in both the Forester and Baja, like a small six. And that has a different effect on each machine.

A much better Forester, a somewhat better Baja

The Forester was already a fine small SUV (or station wagon pretending to be an SUV) and the 2.5 XT is the most thoroughly satisfying one yet to drive. The power delivery is easygoing, and the chassis is set low to the ground with precise steering response. In other words it drives like what it is: an Impreza with a really good motor.

Adding a turbo doesn’t do anything to alter the Forester’s effectiveness and utility as an SUV. It’s still comfortable for four adults, built well and free of ergonomic idiocies. This is a thoroughly satisfying car to drive, and hopefully Subaru will see its way to fortifying it further with some WRX STi equipment like the six-speed manual transmission.

A slow seller in normally aspirated form, the Baja remains less than thrilling with the turbocharged engine. Based on the Legacy platform and larger than the Forester, the boost to 210 horsepower only means the Baja is now adequately powerful. With the four-speed automatic transmission the engine is neither eager nor lazy in its personality. It’s just sort of there. Plus, raising the suspension height mutes the chassis’ reflexes somewhat. It’s not bad to drive, but nowhere near as fun as the Forester.

The Baja’s cockpit is nicely laid out and beautifully made and the ride is well controlled, but it’s still tough to figure out much to do with the tiny 41.5-inch bed, even if it can be extended into the cockpit through “Switchback” rear bulkhead and out across the open tail gate thanks to an extender.

Proudly priced

At $24,970 the Forester 2.5 XT with the five-speed manual transmission isn’t cheap by small SUV standards, but it’s a high-value machine with unique talents (it should be showing up at dealers about now). The least expensive Baja Turbo should be a couple more thousand than that, and it will be the Baja to have if one’s going to have a Baja (it goes on sale in the fall). It just doesn’t seem that many people really want a Baja.

In a way, the turbocharged Forester and Baja fuse together Subaru’s two personalities; they’ve got a big chunk of Outback mixed up with some compelling WRX elements. More of that sort of commingling can only produce better Subarus in the future.

2004 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT
Base Price: $24,970
Engine: turbocharged 2.5-liter flat four, 210 hp
Transmission: Five-speed manual, all-wheel drive
Length x width x height: 175.6 x 68.3 x 65.0 in
Wheelbase: 99.4 in
Curb weight: N/A
EPA City/Hwy: N/A
Safety equipment: Front airbags, anti-lock brakes
Major standard equipment: Tilt/telescope steering wheel, A/C, power windows
Warranty: Three years/36,000 miles comprehensive and corrosion; five years/60,000 miles powertrain

2004 Subaru Baja Turbo
Base Price: $26,500 (est.)
Engine: turbocharged 2.5-liter flat four, 210 hp
Transmission: Five-speed manual, all-wheel drive
Length x width x height: 193.3 x 70.1 x N/A in
Wheelbase: 104.3 in
Curb weight: 3605 lb
EPA City/Hwy: N/A
Safety equipment: Front airbags, anti-lock brakes
Major standard equipment: Tilt/telescope steering wheel, A/C, power windows
Warranty: Three years/36,000 miles comprehensive and corrosion; five years/60,000 miles powertrain