Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Subaru Forester Touring
Specs
Class: Compact Crossover
Nation of Manufacture: Japan
Colour: River Rock Pearl
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 131
Actual-world gas financial system: 23.3 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | B- |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Economic system | B- |
| Worth | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not mirror Client Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Large & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Large” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 180-horsepower 2.5-liter |
| Engine Kind | 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | CVT-automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 25/32/28 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas kind: Common gasoline
Base worth: $39,995 (not together with $1420 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Particular paint ($395) mats ($152)
Value as examined: $41,962
Professionals and Cons
The good: Confirmed foul-weather skill, roomy cabin
The nice: Up to date inside feels extra upscale
The not so good: Middling gas financial system, we miss the ‘tude
Evaluate
Our little Forester is all grown up. Looks like solely yesterday Subaru rolled out its first crossover, however that was greater than 25 years in the past, and our little SUV is now in its sixth era, and as widespread as ever.
New for the 1998 mannequin yr, the small and inexpensive Forester exploded into the American market promising sensible all-weather efficiency, Subaru reliability, and only a twinge of non-conformist ‘tude. Only a twinge.
Final yr the Forester was the twond-best-selling U.S.-market Subaru mannequin, however the numbers are so shut, it’s kind of a three-way tie.
The subcompact Crosstrek lead in 2024 with 182,000 gross sales, adopted by the Forester compact crossover at 176,000, and the Outback midsize wagon at 169,000. Whatever the end order, that is an enviable triumvirate of strong-selling, well-loved automobiles with which to inventory a showroom.
Not precisely all new, the up to date Forester rides on a modified model of its previous-generation structure, although is usually unchanged dimensionally. The 2025 rides on the identical wheelbase, and is sort of the identical because the 2024 when it comes to width and size. The brand new truck is slightly heavier nevertheless, with the added mass seemingly utilized to structural enhancements and sound deadening.
Styling has been up to date in and out, and the brand new Forester appears proper at house amongst different automobiles within the model lineup. Try the 2026 Outback for a greater take a look at the place the model is heading design-wise.
Returning for 2025 is the Forester’s tried-and-true 2.5-liter “boxer” 4-cylinder engine, down 2 horsepower this yr, to 180. To not fear, although, because the up to date engine produces extra torque, so will name the ability scores change a push. As earlier than, all Foresters are fitted with a CVT-style computerized transmission, and true to model, all include AWD.
New for 2025 is a hybrid drivetrain. That setup is rated at 198 horsepower, and returns EPA-estimated mileage at the very least 20 p.c higher than standard Foresters. Look ahead to our overview of the Forester Hybrid within the subsequent few weeks.
You probably have difficultly making choices, you might fret by Subaru’s ten-trim-level Forester lineup, which incorporates hybrid variants of all however the entry-level base mannequin, and the off-road-ready Wilderness. The roster appears like this:
- Base ($31,415)
- Premium ($33,730)
- Premium Hybrid ($36,415)
- Sport ($36,230)
- Sport Hybrid ($39,415)
- Wilderness ($36,415)
- Restricted ($37,830)
- Restricted Hybrid ($40,830)
- Touring ($41,715)
- Touring Hybrid ($43,115)
Client Information not too long ago spent every week behind the wheel of a 2025 Forester Touring in River Rock Pearl. All informed, together with vacation spot cost, our check automobile got here to $41,962.
Inside, the Forester nonetheless appears like a Subaru, which implies the sprint focus in on the massive, vertically oriented touchscreen. As earlier than, the touchscreen is simple to learn and the icons displayed are simple to learn at a look.
Our sole connectivity situation is a Bluetooth connection that incessantly dropped, forcing us to relink, at a price of a number of minutes every time. That stated, the Harman Kardon-brand audio system, normal on the Touring, lives as much as the title, cranking out premium sound shocking in a automobile within the worth vary.
The cabin, particularly on topline Touring trim comes off as purposeful and premium—a pleasant enchancment over the earlier era. House, like earlier than, is ample for the category, on the Forester will present comfy long-trip transportation for 4 grownup. Moreover, regardless of a claimed 8.7-inches of floor clearance, entering into and out of the Foresters is simple sufficient. And, the dialog might be slightly simpler now, because the cabin is notably quieter than the 2024 mannequin. Extra on this in a second…
The up to date 2.5-liter engine doesn’t really feel appreciably completely different for 2025, however it does sound completely different. And should you’re an old-school Subaru loyalist, you might miss the grunty-purposeful motor growl that the model is know for. Maybe sadly(?) the up to date engine sounds, effectively, refined, and does little grunting at low velocity, or when passing or merging. The powerplant does produce sufficient energy for moderately fast getaways from a cease, and has sufficient energy to enter onto freeways with little fuss.
Dealing with is class common, with among the Forester’s spunky nimbleness gone for 2025. The compact Subaru nonetheless handles effectively, however it’s rather less sharp edged in corners, and the steering is extra uninteresting than communicative. This isn’t to say that there’s something incorrect with the Forester, it’s simply that the general commuting expertise is slightly softer for ’25.
Our noticed gas financial system got here in at round 23 mpg, slightly disappointing for a small crossover, however our numbers had been doubtless impacted the Chicago-typical winter temperatures that marked the Forester’s go to with Client Information.
Usually, we wouldn’t bemoan a redesigned automobile being quieter and higher driving than its predecessor, however on this case, we fairly miss the previous Forester and its feisty perspective. However, that’s us. For customers seeking to faucet into Subaru’s wonderful snow-and-foul-weather prowess, and its fame for reliability and resale worth, the 2025 Forester is definitely one of the best instance of the mannequin but.
Now a greater long-trip small-family hauler, the Forester is compelling possibility for people not completely dedicated to buying a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. However should you’re searching for spunky handing and slightly engine growl, effectively, time marches on.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2025 Subaru Forester Touring Footage
Click on under for enlarged photographs
