What Is It?
2005 Subaru Forester 2.5 XS L.L. Bean Edition
What's Special About It?
Rugged, capable vehicles go hand in hand with an active lifestyle, or at least that's what Subaru and outdoor clothing manufacturer L.L. Bean have discovered, as the 2005 Subaru Forester 2.5 XS L.L. Bean Edition is their second joint marketing exploration since 2001.
Originally the L.L. Bean trim was limited to the Subaru Outback only, but the marketing venture is now expanding to create a fourth model for the Forester lineup. The small SUV underwent a major redesign in 2003 which provided two trims — the base 2.5 X and the more upscale 2.5 XS — subsequently adding a high-performance turbocharged 2.5 XT model in 2004. The new Forester 2.5 XS L.L. Bean model features the same naturally aspirated 165-horsepower, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine as the X and XS, but comes equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission instead of the standard five-speed manual used in the rest of the lineup.
The 2.5 XS L.L. Bean Edition is the only Forester model that comes with a self-leveling rear suspension to remain level, even when fully loaded. The L.L. Bean also exclusively receives distinctive 10-spoke alloy wheels, beige leather-trimmed upholstery with the L.L. Bean logo embossed on the front seats and embroidered on the floor mats, an auto-dimming rearview compass mirror, a hard water-resistant surface that covers the rear seat back and cargo floor and a standard power moonroof and security system. New for all 2005 Foresters is an air filtration system, dual-stage deployment driver front airbag and Electronic Throttle Control (ETC).
What's Edmunds' Take?
Subaru has a long-standing reputation in the all-wheel-drive market. Perhaps some outdoor enthusiasts will be lured into a Forester by the small SUV's new L.L. Bean status, but we believe most current Subaru owners will agree — they drive Subaru vehicles for their versatile outdoor capabilities, not for what's embroidered on the floor mats. — Kelly Stennick
2005 Subaru Forester 2.5 XS L.L. Bean Edition
What's Special About It?
Rugged, capable vehicles go hand in hand with an active lifestyle, or at least that's what Subaru and outdoor clothing manufacturer L.L. Bean have discovered, as the 2005 Subaru Forester 2.5 XS L.L. Bean Edition is their second joint marketing exploration since 2001.
Originally the L.L. Bean trim was limited to the Subaru Outback only, but the marketing venture is now expanding to create a fourth model for the Forester lineup. The small SUV underwent a major redesign in 2003 which provided two trims — the base 2.5 X and the more upscale 2.5 XS — subsequently adding a high-performance turbocharged 2.5 XT model in 2004. The new Forester 2.5 XS L.L. Bean model features the same naturally aspirated 165-horsepower, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine as the X and XS, but comes equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission instead of the standard five-speed manual used in the rest of the lineup.
The 2.5 XS L.L. Bean Edition is the only Forester model that comes with a self-leveling rear suspension to remain level, even when fully loaded. The L.L. Bean also exclusively receives distinctive 10-spoke alloy wheels, beige leather-trimmed upholstery with the L.L. Bean logo embossed on the front seats and embroidered on the floor mats, an auto-dimming rearview compass mirror, a hard water-resistant surface that covers the rear seat back and cargo floor and a standard power moonroof and security system. New for all 2005 Foresters is an air filtration system, dual-stage deployment driver front airbag and Electronic Throttle Control (ETC).
What's Edmunds' Take?
Subaru has a long-standing reputation in the all-wheel-drive market. Perhaps some outdoor enthusiasts will be lured into a Forester by the small SUV's new L.L. Bean status, but we believe most current Subaru owners will agree — they drive Subaru vehicles for their versatile outdoor capabilities, not for what's embroidered on the floor mats. — Kelly Stennick
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