Pricing of the multi award-winning Forester X is also inclusive of on-road costs in the recommended retail price for MY05, starting from $31,490 for manual variants.

Previously only the domain of turbocharged Forester XT variants and normally aspirated XS Luxury Pack versions, the five-star ANCAP rating now extends to the entire MY05 Forester range, which has just gone on sale - from the entry level X to the range-topping XT Luxury Pack.

Nick Senior, General Manager, Subaru Australia, said: "The addition of side airbags on every Forester model again underlines Subaru's commitment to safety, one of the foundations on which we've built our reputation.

"We are also pleased to announce that we have managed to maintain pricing at existing levels on all Foresters and the inclusion of on-road costs on Forester X represents a significant saving for buyers of these variants too.

"When you factor in enhancements to specification and equipment, including safety, it represents remarkable value across the Forester range."

Forester XT manual variants also have enhanced towing capacity, up from 1400 kilograms to 1800kg, as part of Subaru's ongoing drive to appeal to recreational users.

Mr Senior added: "We have worked together with Fuji Heavy Industries to thoroughly test Forester XT manual for the new towing capacity.

"We are delighted that we can now offer another great alternative for towing medium weight caravans and trailers."

Sporty three-spoke steering wheels are new across the Forester range and audio systems are upgraded.

Forester XS models have a powerful 60-Watt 2DIN head unit with seven-speakers, for enhanced sound reproduction.

Forester XT variants also add a seventh speaker and Momo steering wheel.

Forester XS models have a new eight-spoke alloy wheel design, while air conditioning controls across the range are simplified for ease of use.

For added safety, automatic Foresters add shift lock, meaning the key must be in the ignition "on" position and the brake depressed before the shifter can be moved from the Park position.

New colours include champagne gold and regal blue for Forester X and XS, and regal blue monotone and metal gray monotone for Forester XT.

* ANCAP is backed by all the nation's motoring organizations and statutory transport bodies.

Its ratings are recognized by equivalent organizations in the U.S.A., Europe, Japan and Korea, where crash testing is also performed and results shared with Australia.