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Subaru Forester

SG5Stock varies — page stays live

The second-generation Forester (SG) featured evolutionary styling, significant weight savings through an aluminum hood and cargo rails, and refined driving dynamics. The SG5 chassis covers the 2.0-liter models, offered in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged 'XT' trims.

Engine
EJ20 DOHC / SOHC
Displacement
1,994 cc
Drive
4WD
Gearbox
4AT / 5MT
Fuel
Petrol
Body
SUV
Subaru Forester SG5Subaru Forester — representative 2nd gen (SG) image

Chassis variants of the Forester

SG5EJ20 DOHC / SOHC1,994 cc4WD4AT / 5MT
SH5EJ20 DOHC / EJ205 Turbo1,994 cc4WD4AT / 5MTSHJFB20 DOHC NA1,995 cc4WD4AT / 5MT

Dimensions & shipping volume

Length
4,455 mm
Width
1,735 mm
Height
1,590 mm
Weight
1,390 kg
Shipping volume
12.29 M³

Manufacture year vs. registration year

Japanese paperwork shows the first registration date, but African customs count age from the month of manufacture. Verify with the chassis serial before purchase:

Serial prefixProduction periodSeries
SG5-002001XXXXXXFeb 2002 – Jan 2005Pre-facelift (Applied Model A-C)
SG5-100001XXXXXXJan 2005 – Dec 2007Facelift (Applied Model D-F)

Import eligibility by country (2002–2007)

KenyaNot eligible
8-year limit from manufacture — all units now exceed it.
UgandaNot eligible
15-year limit from manufacture — all units now exceed it.
TanzaniaEligible
No age ban; vehicles over 10 years pay additional excise duty.
ZambiaEligible
No age limit; surtax applies to vehicles older than 5 years.
MalawiEligible
No age limit; duty calculated on cc and age band.

Common questions about the SG5

What are the common issues with the EJ20 engine in the SG5?
Naturally aspirated models are prone to head gasket leaks over time, while turbocharged variants require strict maintenance to avoid turbocharger oil starvation and ringland failure.
Did any SG5 models feature a low-range manual gearbox?
Yes, several naturally aspirated 5-speed manual SG5 Forester variants sold in non-US markets came equipped with a dual-range transfer case offering a low-range gear selection for light off-roading.