The Subaru Forester has long been a popular choice for drivers seeking a reliable, practical, and adventure-ready compact SUV. For 2025, Subaru has unveiled a redesigned Forester, promising enhanced comfort, a more refined interior, and updated styling. But does the new 2025 Subaru Forester live up to the hype? In this comprehensive review, we delve into the details of the 2025 Forester, exploring its strengths and weaknesses to help you decide if it’s the right SUV for your needs.
While the allure of high-performance sports cars and supercars, often romanticized in movies and media, is undeniable, the reality for most drivers is the need for a dependable and functional daily vehicle. The 2025 Subaru Forester embraces this practicality, focusing on competence and reliability rather than flashy thrills. This isn’t to say the Forester is dull; instead, it aims for a different kind of appeal – one rooted in everyday usability and peace of mind.
Front three quarter view of the 2025 Subaru Forester showcasing its boxy and angular new design.
What’s New in the 2025 Subaru Forester?
Subaru hasn’t revolutionized the Forester formula for 2025, but rather refined it. The core DNA of the Forester remains – a compact SUV with standard all-wheel drive, excellent visibility, and a focus on safety. However, the 2025 model year brings significant updates, including:
- Exterior Design: A bolder, more angular exterior replaces the softer lines of the previous generation. The 2025 Forester adopts a more rugged and contemporary aesthetic with boxier wheel arches and sharper lines.
- Interior Refinement: The cabin receives a significant upgrade with higher-quality materials, a more modern dashboard layout, and a prominent portrait-style touchscreen infotainment system.
- Enhanced Comfort and Quietness: Subaru focused on improving ride comfort and reducing cabin noise, making the 2025 Forester a more pleasant companion for daily commutes and long journeys.
- Updated Technology: The Forester boasts the latest Subaru Starlink infotainment system and advanced driver-assistance features, enhancing connectivity and safety.
2025 Subaru Forester: Interior and Design
The exterior of the 2025 Subaru Forester marks a departure from its predecessor’s rounded forms. Subaru designers appear to have embraced a more geometric approach, resulting in a more assertive and youthful appearance. The square wheel arches and crisp lines give the Forester a more modern and less “grandma’s car” vibe, as the original article humorously notes. While still maintaining a relatively conservative SUV profile, the 2025 Forester’s design is undoubtedly more visually engaging.
Side profile of the 2025 Subaru Forester highlighting its new boxy silhouette and wheel arches.
Front view of the 2025 Subaru Forester emphasizing its redesigned headlights and grille.
Rear three quarter view of the 2025 Subaru Forester showing its updated taillights and rear bumper design.
Inside, the 2025 Forester takes a step towards sophistication. The cabin presents a mature and well-organized layout. A flat dashboard constructed from soft-touch materials contributes to a premium feel, while the large, vertically oriented touchscreen becomes the focal point of the center console. Traditional gauges are retained for essential driving information, blending modern technology with user-friendly familiarity. The reviewer in the original article praised the improved material quality, suggesting it surpasses that of previous Subaru models, and highlighted the excellent ergonomics of the cabin layout.
Dashboard and infotainment screen of the 2025 Subaru Forester showcasing the new portrait-style touchscreen and clean design.
Close up of the infotainment system and controls in the 2025 Subaru Forester interior.
Front seats of the 2025 Subaru Forester showing the seat design and interior materials.
Rear seats and spacious legroom in the 2025 Subaru Forester cabin.
Steering wheel and driver's instrument cluster of the 2025 Subaru Forester.
While the seats are described as somewhat flat, the reviewer found them comfortable even on extended drives, reporting no discomfort after hours behind the wheel. The cabin is generally quiet, although some highway wind noise is present. Rear passenger space remains a Forester strong suit, comfortably accommodating a family of four on longer trips.
Driving Experience: Engine, Performance, and Ride
Under the hood, the 2025 Subaru Forester largely sticks with what it knows. In a market increasingly dominated by turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines, Subaru continues to employ a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated flat-four engine. This engine produces 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, delivered through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive.
Engine bay of the 2025 Subaru Forester showing the 2.5-liter naturally aspirated flat-four engine.
The performance figures might seem underwhelming on paper, and the reviewer describes the power delivery as “mostly flat,” especially as peak torque arrives at 3,700 rpm. The CVT attempts to maximize the available power during acceleration, but this can result in a somewhat noisy and strained engine sound without a significant surge in speed. The powertrain is identified as the weakest aspect of the 2025 Forester in the original review, particularly when compared to the more responsive turbocharged engines found in many competitors.
However, the Forester redeems itself in other areas of the driving experience. The steering, while light and lacking in feel, is precise and predictable. Subaru has incorporated a version of the WRX’s dual-pinion electric power steering rack, aiming for a more direct response. While not offering engaging feedback, the steering is functional and easy to manage, especially in everyday driving situations.
The ride quality is where the 2025 Forester truly shines. It strikes a comfortable balance, absorbing bumps and imperfections effectively without feeling overly soft or floaty. The Forester provides a sense of robustness and confidence, making it feel capable of handling various road conditions, including light off-road trails. The reviewer tested the Forester’s off-road capabilities, finding it surprisingly adept at tackling dirt roads and uneven terrain at speed. The light steering, criticized on paved roads, becomes more advantageous off-road, preventing harsh feedback from reaching the driver’s hands.
2025 Subaru Forester driving on a gravel road demonstrating its off-road capability.
2025 Subaru Forester navigating a mild off-road trail.
The Forester’s blend of on-road comfort and surprising off-road capability makes it a versatile choice for drivers who encounter varied driving environments. It is well-suited for daily commutes, family road trips, and weekend adventures that may venture beyond paved roads.
Features, Options, and Trims
The 2025 Subaru Forester offers a range of trim levels to cater to different needs and budgets. Even the base model is well-equipped, featuring standard all-wheel drive, Subaru’s EyeSight safety system, and steering-responsive LED headlights. However, lower trims may forgo the large touchscreen infotainment system in favor of smaller dual screens and may lack blind-spot monitoring.
Front dashboard of the base model 2025 Subaru Forester showing the dual screen infotainment system.
Side view of the 2025 Subaru Forester Limited trim showcasing its upgraded wheels and exterior accents.
Rear view of the 2025 Subaru Forester Wilderness trim highlighting its more rugged styling and increased ground clearance.
The top-of-the-line Touring trim, as tested in the original review, includes a comprehensive list of premium features, such as leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, sunroof, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a surround-view camera system, and a Harman Kardon sound system. While the Touring trim pushes the Forester into a higher price bracket, it offers a truly luxurious experience within the compact SUV segment.
Fuel Economy and Efficiency
Despite utilizing a larger, naturally aspirated engine, the 2025 Subaru Forester achieves competitive fuel economy figures. EPA estimates rate the Forester at 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined. These numbers are comparable to rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 and even surpass the turbocharged Hyundai Santa Fe.
EPA fuel economy sticker for the 2025 Subaru Forester highlighting its MPG ratings.
Fuel gauge of the 2025 Subaru Forester showing a high fuel level after driving indicating good fuel efficiency.
The reviewer in the original article corroborated these figures, observing an average of over 27 mpg in real-world driving conditions. The Forester also boasts a larger fuel tank than many competitors, resulting in an EPA-rated range of 481 miles, a practical advantage for long journeys.
Value and Verdict: Is the 2025 Subaru Forester a Good Buy?
The compact SUV segment is fiercely competitive, with established giants like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V dominating sales charts. The Subaru Forester, while popular, lags behind these leaders in sales volume. However, the Forester carves out its niche by prioritizing different attributes. It emphasizes standard active safety features, a comfortable suspension, and genuine off-road capability, potentially at the expense of more flamboyant styling or cutting-edge cabin technology.
Front view of the 2025 Subaru Forester parked in a scenic location suggesting its adventurous spirit.
The 2025 Subaru Forester represents an “acquired taste,” appealing to buyers who value Subaru’s core principles of practicality, reliability, and all-weather capability. While it might not be the most exciting or stylish SUV in the segment, it excels at being a competent and dependable family vehicle. The reviewer concludes that the Forester is “boring in the best way possible,” highlighting its understated competence and ability to handle everyday tasks and unexpected challenges with ease.
For drivers seeking a no-nonsense, reliable, and adventure-capable compact SUV, the 2025 Subaru Forester deserves serious consideration. Its redesigned interior, enhanced comfort, and standard all-wheel drive make it a compelling option in a crowded market. While its powertrain may not be the most thrilling, its overall package delivers a well-rounded and sensible driving experience.
Front three quarter view of the 2025 Subaru Forester parked in an urban environment.
Interior view of the 2025 Subaru Forester cabin from the rear seats showcasing its spaciousness.
Close up of the Subaru logo on the front grille of the 2025 Subaru Forester.
Rear view of the 2025 Subaru Forester on a paved road.
Side view of the 2025 Subaru Forester driving on a highway.
