The All-New 2025 Subaru Forester: A Comprehensive Redesign
It’s been nearly 30 years since Subaru first introduced the Forester nameplate to the United States. When this vehicle debuted in 1997, it was one of the pioneering crossover SUVs, launching alongside the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Over the years, the Forester has evolved, becoming one of Subaru’s best-selling models in the U.S. Now, for 2025 Subaru Forester presents an all-new sixth-generation model featuring a comprehensive redesign.
Subaru has extensively revised the Forester’s exterior, giving it a fresh look that aligns with the brand’s new design language. The interior has been overhauled to include advanced technology and improved refinement. Today, we are in beautiful Missoula, Montana, to experience the 2025 Subaru Forester firsthand. For those seeking a compact SUV for outdoor adventures, the big question is: Has Subaru made enough updates to keep the Forester at the top of its segment?
Table of Contents
Exterior Redesign
The new 2025 Subaru Forester sports a modernized exterior, featuring an enlarged hexagonal grille and updated Subaru logo. The Touring trim, shown in Horizon Blue, boasts gloss black accents and silver trim. All models come standard with steering-responsive full LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, and LED fog lights. The Forester’s robust design is a blend of the Subaru Ascent and Outback, with additional functional vents for engine cooling.
2025 Subaru Forester Engine and Performance
Under the hood, the 2025 Subaru Forester features a 2.2L gasoline direct injection boxer flat-four engine. This engine, extensively revised for efficiency and refinement, produces 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. The engine’s low-end torque is now available at 3,400 RPM, enhancing drivability. The revised Lineartronic CVT transmission offers a smoother driving experience.
Fuel economy remains competitive at 26 MPG in the city, 33 MPG on the highway, and 29 MPG combined. The Forester includes Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system and the latest version of X-Mode, making it one of the most capable non-hybrid compact SUVs in terms of fuel efficiency and off-road prowess.
2025 Subaru Forester Interior and Technology
Inside, the “2025 Subaru Forester” combines comfort with cutting-edge technology. The Touring trim features a luxurious two-tone brown and black leather interior with ultra-suede accents. For the first time, the Forester offers ventilated front seats in addition to heated seats. The driver’s seat is 10-way adjustable, and the passenger seat adjusts in eight ways.
The dashboard is dominated by an 11.6-inch portrait-style Subaru Starlink infotainment system, available on Premium trims and above. This system includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Touring trim also features a new digital camera rearview mirror, a panoramic sunroof, and a high-quality Harman Kardon sound system.
Safety is a priority, with Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance technology now enhanced by a new mono stereo camera. This system provides better precision and detail for features like adaptive cruise control and emergency automatic braking.
Cargo Space and Practicality
The Forester remains one of the most practical SUVs in its class. It offers 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 74.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The rear hatch opening is among the widest in the segment, making loading and unloading easier.
The all-new “2025 Subaru Forester” builds on its legacy with a comprehensive redesign, improved technology, and enhanced performance. Whether you’re tackling urban commutes or venturing into the wilderness, the new Forester is equipped to handle it all. Stay tuned for a detailed on-road review to see how these updates translate into real-world performance.
Overall, the interior is very familiar for those of you who know Subaru, but obviously, the company has increased the amount of tech and content in this car. I just think it’s a bit of a missed opportunity for Subaru not to give us a fully digital display. I also think that this look here is starting to look a little dated and familiar because this layout was first introduced back in 2019 when the all-new Outback came out.
One of the reasons that make the Forester so popular with families is the amount of space you get in the second row. With the dimensions pretty much unchanged, you have the same amount of rear-seat legroom. Subaru says it’s around 39.4 inches, which is among the best in the segment. That’s a solid two inches more versus something like a Toyota RAV4. You can see the two-tone contrasting seat design carries over back here into the Touring grade, which is nice.
You can also, of course, fold this seat down. If you fold it down, it almost creates a completely flat load floor, which is nice. Subaru, of course, offers a lot of accessories for dogs, including seat covers if you plan to put your dog in this vehicle. The one thing I wish the seat did is recline; it doesn’t offer a recline function. You can find that in some competitors.
Let me go ahead and get back here and show you guys the space. This is pretty much where I’d have the seat to drive in my driving position, and at 5’7″, you can see there’s just a ton of space back here. There’s a ton of legroom where I can easily stretch out. The floor is not completely flat, but again, this is among the best in the segment. You also have features like rear-seat climate control vents, two USB charging ports, and two-level heated seats, which are included in this Touring grade.
Subaru also gives you kind of dual-level stacked storage pockets in each of the front seats. I can also sit back here and cross my legs very comfortably, which is a nice touch. In terms of headroom space, you can see for somebody my height, there are a good solid couple of inches of additional headroom. So maybe if you’re over six feet, it could feel a little tight, but this is still a pretty nice amount of space.
The door panel materials, sadly, are hard-touch plastic back here, so it’s downgraded versus the front. You do still have that nice amount of ultra-suede with the brown leather window controls. They are not one-touch, but they have a high-quality finish.
You have a little bit of storage here in the door pocket. It would be nice to see some manual sunshades; that’s something Subaru offers on the Ascent but sadly not here on the Forester. If you fold this down, there’s an armrest that gives you two cup holders. I like the piano’s black plastic and silver trim along the cup holders, which makes it feel a little nicer. Overall, if you’re looking for a big back seat to put a car seat or just for your taller friends, the Forester has among the biggest back seats in its class.
Currently, the 2025 Subaru Forester is the third best-selling model in the Subaru portfolio. I bet many of you are curious about how this new version drives. We are starting in the Touring grade, which is the top-of-the-line model.
If you’re interested in seeing other trims, be sure to click on the link in the description below. We’ll plan to do a separate video showing the other trims. We have a new four-cylinder engine; it’s new but also kind of the same. Subaru has 180 horsepower, so let’s see what we can get 0 to 60-wise. We are sitting at around 3,800 feet above sea level. We’ll switch the drive mode into Sport and then Brake torque it.
It feels a little sluggish off the line. With Rob next to me sitting shotgun, he’s adding so much weight, making this car slow. But remember, we are almost a mile above sea level, which significantly slows down the acceleration of a naturally aspirated engine like this. I’d say when we get one back home at sea level, it’ll probably be in the mid-8-second range, which I know is not fast.
The 2025 Subaru Forester has not been known as being one of the quicker options since the fourth generation was out with the XT, the turbocharged model. It gets me super excited to drive the hybrid version. Most people who drive Foresters don’t particularly care about fast 0 to 60 times. I do it for demonstration purposes. At sea level, this car would probably be in the mid to upper 8-second range, but here at elevation, it’s a little over 10 seconds. It’s not the fastest Subaru.
What is a big improvement Subaru claims is the refinement of this engine. They have redone the engine mounts, the cooling, and some of the internals to make the engine have less friction. It’ll be more fuel-efficient and quieter.
It also has an updated version of the Lineartronic CVT, not the Xtronic from Nissan. It essentially has eight virtual ratios you can control via the paddles here. The paddles work well at creating fake gear. When you put your foot down, it feels like it shifts, which is a really good job. Subaru says they’ve widened the ratio spread to improve performance and fuel efficiency. The engine is noticeably quieter.
In sport mode, if I put my foot down, it feels slow but doesn’t transmit much vibration through the steering wheel, pedals, or floorboards. It’s a nice touch that it feels more refined, and that’s going to be appreciated by people looking to replace their old Forester. It feels smoother and more upscale.
There’s nobody behind me, so let’s do another 0-60 test without brake torquing it. Flooring it… the start-stop had to kick in at that moment. Okay, that’s consistent, 10.15 seconds. Again, not fast, but slow due to the elevation. We’re done with 0-60 testing. Most people will use this as their daily driver, wanting to know how it drives in terms of comfort.
This is where the Forester excels. The greenhouse of the vehicle hasn’t changed, so you have a big windshield and side windows, decent side-view mirrors, and a good view out the front, sides, and rear. The digital camera mirror does a great job showing what’s behind in high definition. If you prefer the standard mirror, the boxy square shape of the car allows you to see out the back perfectly.
The steering is now the dual-pinion power rack and pinion steering from the WRX, making it more precise and sporty. It’s quick in its precision and very easy to drive. The ride quality is excellent. Even on bigger 19-inch wheels, the Forester glides over road imperfections with a plush ride quality. The seats have been redesigned for better lateral support and rigidity, especially in the Touring grade with the ultra-suede.
They’re grippy, comfortable, and heated. I couldn’t try the cooled function due to the cold weather, but Subaru’s cooled seats tend to be nice. Overall, the Forester feels identical to the previous generation but smoother and quieter with less noise from the engine. Road noise is minimal, and there’s less buzziness compared to the last generation. Subaru did a good job with the new Forester’s refinement.
The 2025 Subaru Forester still lacks a hybrid powertrain, which keeps people from buying it. Honda and Toyota have gone big on hybrids with the CR-V and RAV4, respectively. Subaru needs that hybrid powertrain badly. If you don’t care about hybrids, the base 2.5-liter engine is better than the gas-only engines in the RAV4 and CR-V. While the Honda CR-V has a turbo engine, Subaru’s 2.4-liter turbo in the Forester is unlikely due to low demand.
The Forester excels as a road trip vehicle with excellent fuel efficiency. I don’t have the final fuel economy figures yet but will test them when I get one back home. Subaru claims it should have among the best range in the segment. Improvements in driver assistance make it easier to drive on long trips with some hands-free driving capabilities, though, unlike Cadillac’s Super Cruise.
Subaru aimed to play it safe with the Forester, given its popularity. In 2023, the Forester sold around 152,000 units, making it the third-best-selling Subaru in North America. Subaru wanted to maintain its typical buyer base while adding refinement. The new Forester is quieter, with less vibration and noise. The 2.5-liter engine is smooth and fuel-efficient, but the 0-60 time is disappointing.
We need to test it at sea level for accurate results. People don’t buy Foresters for speed but for comfort, space, and reliability. The seats are more comfortable, and the interior feels more premium with wireless Apple CarPlay and an 11.6-inch display. Fully loaded, the Forester offers features like a 360-degree camera, heated and cooled seats, and heated rear seats.
Pricing and availability: The new 2025 Subaru Forester starts at $29,615, about $2,600 more than the previous model. It now includes standard features like alloy wheels, roof rails, and push-button start. The Premium trim starts at around $31,600, the Sport at $35,000, and the Limited at $36,500.
The fully loaded Touring grade starts at $39,995 plus $1,395 destination, totaling around $41,390. This is comparable to a fully loaded RAV4 or CR-V. Subaru points out that the base Forester is $4-$800 cheaper than a base all-wheel-drive RAV4 or CR-V and comes with more equipment. There’s a lot of value in the Forester, but the lack of a hybrid is a missed
2025 Subaru Forester Design and Features
This pickup truck has undergone a major change in design, where you can see a more refined black grille, LED headlights, and equally defined wheel arches. Due to its characteristics, it is a Crossover that also integrates a more sporty and imposing design, especially in the rear.
Some of the features worth highlighting are that the air intakes are also defined, and the rims in the range range from 17 to 19 inches.
On the interior side, there are also additions, with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.6-inch vertical central touchscreen.
Subaru Forester 2025, Engine and Prices
This Subaru comes with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that achieves 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, with all-wheel drive for all 4 wheels and a CVT automatic transmission.
At the moment, there are no confirmed prices, but we would like to see this model in Mexico since the previous generation is still being sold. We will keep you up to date with the detailed prices and versions.
2025 Subaru Forester: Features, Versions, and Prices
It is an exciting SUV that combines elegant design with performance enhancements and advanced safety features.
Subaru, the Japanese car brand that is extremely popular in the United States due to its standard all-wheel drive, and focus on safety, durability, and reliability, is looking to increase its sales volume with the arrival of the 2025 Forester on the market.
Now in its sixth generation, this SUV features a bolder design, performance improvements, and cutting-edge safety features.
With this evolution plus the starting price of $29,695, the 2024 Subaru Forester becomes a great proposition for those looking for a reliable, versatile, stylish, and high-performance truck even on low-traction roads.
What’s new in the 2025 Subaru Forester
One of the most notable features of the 2025 Subaru Forester is its all-new exterior design, which combines contemporary elegance with the classic, rugged proportions of an SUV.
With a redesigned grille, compact LED headlights, and the distinctive Subaru star cluster emblem, the Forester features a more graceful front end. Likewise, flared wheel arches emphasize its strength and off-road capability.
As for the interior, the 2025 Subaru Forester has been designed with comfort and functionality in mind. This time around, the dashboard features contoured elements and textured details, and the dark headliner is strategically designed to help hide scrapes and scratches when loading gear, people, and pets.
Beyond the visuals, this SUV employs more sound-absorbing materials, more robust welding techniques, and additional structural adhesives to achieve a quieter interior.
It also offers an enhanced connectivity experience. It features a Subaru Starlink multimedia system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In keeping with Subaru’s philosophy, the 2025 Forester comes equipped with the latest generation of Subaru EyeSight driver assistance technology.
This system uses a stereo camera to provide advanced safety features such as cyclist and pedestrian detection at intersections, automatic reverse braking, and rear cross-traffic alert.
2025 Subaru Forester Versions
In terms of configuration options, the 2025 Subaru Forester is available in several trim levels, from Base to Touring. As standard, it comes with all-wheel drive, 17-inch alloy wheels, advanced adaptive cruise control, steering-responsive LED headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, roof rails, and SI-DRIVE engine performance management.
Likewise, all 2025 Subaru Forester models are equipped with a 2.5-liter Subaru Boxer engine that produces 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, mated to a continuously variable transmission.
The Premium trim offers additional features such as a larger touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, wireless charging, dual USB-A and USB-C charging ports, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Moving up to the Sport trim level, the 2025 Subaru Forester comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, a gloss black front grille, and upscale interior features. The Limited trim adds leather-trimmed upholstery, a power-adjustable passenger seat, and a foot-activated power liftgate.
At the top of the range, this SUV offers luxury features such as a 360-degree surround-view monitor, heated and ventilated front seats, and a multimedia navigation system, as is the case with the Forester Touring.
2025 Subaru Forester Price
| Subaru Forester 2025 | |
| Version | Price |
| Forester | $29,695 |
| Forester Premium | $31,995 |
| Forester Premium | $33,195 |
| Forester Sport | $34,495 |
| Forester Sport | $36,195 |
| Forester Limited | $35,995 |
2025 Subaru Forester OVERVIEW
There aren’t many mainstream automakers with DNA as powerful as the 2025 Subaru Forester. The moment you get into one or see one on the road, you automatically know what it is. For the most part, the new forester — Subaru’s middle son. Between the compact Crosstrek and the ever-growing outback — it still has that. It may have grown up a bit for its new sixth generation, with more sound deadening and technology than ever before, but (for better or worse) it’s still very much a Subaru product.
The Japanese automaker didn’t reinvent the wheel with the new Ranger. However, it added enough little touches to make the Forester a more formidable opponent to compact crossover mainstays like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Hyundai Tucson all while keeping Subaru’s greater age intact.
Full disclosure: Subaru flew me to western Montana and put me up in a cabin that cost more per night than my monthly rent so I could drive the 2025 Subaru Forester.
On the outside of the 2025 Subaru Forester, you won’t notice that big of a difference between it and the fifth-generation crossover it replaces. Sure, some design elements have been stretched and enlarged to give the impression the Forester is bigger and beefier than it is but not much else has changed. Although it’s more evolution than revolution from the outside, what’s underneath and inside the car is new, but still totally Subaru.
The two big themes of the new 2025 Subaru Forester are utility and refinement. Subarus of yesteryear has been known for their—let’s say—lack of refinement between noisy interiors, hard plastics, and rough engines. The new car seems to change all that. Subaru talked at length about how much they put more effort into sound-deadening and soft-touch materials, a new production process (with more structural adhesive), and transmission calibration to make the new Forester, well, better.
This is just about the quietest 2025 Subaru Forester I’ve ever driven. I mean, it’s not perfect. There’s still plenty of noise from the now fairly old Subaru FB 2.5-liter four-cylinder mated to a redesigned continuously variable automatic transmission.
It’s just not as unpleasant as it once was to drive a Subaru crossover hard. Speaking of the transmission, let’s say it’s a great example of why so many people like electric vehicles. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the naturally aspirated four-popper, but Subaru just nailed it. to squeeze 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque from the 14-year-old engine. The engine makes less power than on the cruise, and I don’t think it’s much fun.
The 2025 Subaru Forester is also obsessed with CVTs, so that’s what you’ll find here. For 99 percent of drivers, it’s more than enough. You won’t notice it until you try sportier driving or use the transmission’s eight simulated manual gears. That sucks.
Still, Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system is fantastic, if not class-leading. Mode Its 8.7 inches of ground clearance also helps in the effort. At the end of the day, this is a Subaru – it’s going to be fabulous. Even on a semi-treacherous trail (something I spent a lot of time driving in the Western Montana wilderness), it’s also greatly improved on the road.
No one who buys the 2025 Subaru Forester is even remotely interested in high-speed testing or 0-60 runs, but we did them anyway! In my very unscientific testing, the Forester Sport I was driving was able to hit 60 mph in about 10 seconds. That’s not fast by any metric, but that’s not slow either.
Part of the boost is helped by the fact that the torque curve is much lower now. Before, peak torque used to be near the redline, but now all 178 lb-ft of fury is available at 3,700 rpm. That’s still pretty high compared to the Forester’s turbocharged counterparts, though.
Turning corners is very whatever, who cares? The Forester can do it. You won’t tip over in a quick turn. You’ll be fine. It doesn’t matter. It has the dual pinion power steering from the Subaru WRX if you care. Probably not. It’s a Forester, for God’s sake. If you are automatically breeding a stock Forester, then please. to look for help.
Did you know? Do forestry buyers care? Fuel economy, probably. In that sense, the Forester is solid. Subaru says that depending on the size and finish of the wheels, you should be able to average between 28 and 29 mpg combined. It’s not bad at all. Thanks to its 19-gallon fuel tank, you have an effective range of almost 550 miles. That’s very solid and will be more than enough for any outdoor adventure you find yourself on, like Ultimate Kayaking or Hang Gliding Mountain Biking. I don’t know outdoor activities.
Enough about the mechanical parts of the 2025 Subaru Forester. Let’s talk about the other big update here: the interior. It is completely redesigned for the sixth version of the Forester. generation and it’s miles better than any Forester I’ve been in before, as long as you don’t mind a very big screen. Everything here is very typical Subaru in terms of appearance, but it’s a little better than before. For most of my day, I drove a mid-level Sport model. With the option package checked, it had an MSRP of $37,590, including destination.
The 2025 Subaru Forester put a lot of thought into making the Forester’s interior a nicer place to be, adding better materials and improved technology. As for the topic of said technology, it’s kind of a mixed bag. Subaru launched its 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen in the center of the Forester’s cabin on almost all trim levels, and many of the car’s core functions now live within it.
As well as temperature controls, but everything lives on the screen for better or worse. This means the entire cabin is pretty clear, but you have to look hard to find anything. Add in the fact that this isn’t the most responsive touchscreen in the world, and it’s a bit of a disappointment.
On the plus side, there’s now an upgraded version of Subaru’s EyeSight Camera System that adds a third camera in between the other two for added safety. Both its adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping help, while the non-world leaders are very solid. Subaru is all about safety these days, and these systems make me think the company means it.
So while the infotainment and driver safety suite is quite technologically advanced, the gauge cluster is not. Gauge cluster displays are super trendy right now, but that’s not what you’ll find here. you have a classic analog tachometer and speedometer flanked by a small LCD screen in the middle that has all the driver’s information. While it’s nice to have a highly customizable gauge cluster, it’s somewhat refreshing to see two large gauges staring back at me as I drive down the highway.
Everything else about the interior is very solid. It’s not a luxury car by any means, but as mass-market cars go, it’s a nice place to be with enough well-thought-out design elements to keep the demons in your head away for the moment.
This is especially true for the brass accents on this Sporttester. A little pop of color never hurt anyone, and it’s nice to see it here. Adding more to the solidity are the front seats. They are both wonderfully comfortable and hold you up quite well when the going gets tough.
Subaru was also very aware of how people use their Foresters, mainly the fact that they like to fill them with Outdoor Shit and head into the woods. So Subaru made the rear door openings larger to accommodate more oddly shaped things, and while the new car is barely larger than the old one, Subaru created plenty of extra interior space for the people and things they bring with them.
At launch, there are five different Foresters you can choose from: Base ($31,090), Premium ($33,390), Sport ($35,890), Limited ($37,995) and Touring ($41,390). All prices include $1,395 per destination. Don’t worry, an off-road Wilderness model is coming very soon.
Regardless, the base car offers things like EyeSight driver assistance, dual-zone climate control, two 7-inch touchscreens, 17-inch wheels, and LED headlights. The Premium adds that 11.6-inch touchscreen, a 10-way power heated driver’s seat, a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone connectivity, push-button start, and X mode. You can also add an options package that gives you a power liftgate and blind spot monitoring.
From there, we have the Forester Sport, the car I spent most of the day driving. Subaru considers it the youngest of the group, offering you 19-inch wheels, different suspension settings, StarTex upholstery with bronze accents inside and out, standard point-detection blinds, shift paddles, and an “X” mode. improved dual function. You can also opt for a Harman Kardon audio system and a power rear liftgate.
Now, we move on to the two big ones in the range: the Limited and the Touring. On the Limited you get 18-inch wheels. , leather upholstery, standard power liftgate, power passenger seat, and heated steering wheel. For some extra cash, you can add the Harman Kardon stereo and navigation. Finally, we have the big-spending Touring.
It adds 19-inch wheels, leather and Ultrasuede upholstery, a Harman Kardon audio system, heated and ventilated seats, a 360-degree camera, and a rearview mirror camera. That’s a lot of things for a maximum price of $41,390.
So Subaru isn’t exactly revolutionizing the automotive industry when it comes to the new Forester. Anyone who understands the whole vibe and spirit of the brand will feel right at home in the automaker’s secondary offering. In a brand that is dominated by both Outback and Crossover, it’s nice to see the humble Forester getting more attention.
It may not be a world leader in on-road performance, but that’s never really been the goal of these cars. For the most part, compact crossovers are meant to be a vanilla blob that gets you from one place to another. The mere fact that Subaru bothered to inject any sort of personality into the new Forester is a job well done for me. You can buy a CR-V or a RAV4 and they will serve you well. But they won’t be as charming as the 2025 Forester, and God help you if you get stuck on a rocky trail.