Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Subaru Forester Touring
Specs
Class: Compact Crossover
Nation of Manufacture: Japan
Shade: 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+ |
| Gasoline 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 stage evaluated, and should not replicate Client Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Large & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based 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)
Gasoline kind: Common fuel
Base worth: $39,995 (not together with $1420 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: Particular paint ($395) mats ($152)
Worth 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 technology, and as widespread as ever.
New for the 1998 mannequin 12 months, the small and reasonably priced 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 12 months the Forester was the twond-best-selling U.S.-market Subaru mannequin, however the numbers are so shut, it’s roughly 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 generally unchanged dimensionally. The 2025 rides on the identical wheelbase, and is almost the identical because the 2024 by way of width and size. The brand new truck is somewhat heavier nonetheless, with the added mass seemingly utilized to structural enhancements and sound deadening.
Styling has been up to date inside and outside, and the brand new Forester appears proper at residence 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. Although down 2 horsepower for ’25, 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 not less than 20 p.c higher than typical Foresters. Look ahead to our overview of the Forester Hybrid within the subsequent few weeks.
You probably have difficultly making selections, you could worry 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 seems to be 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 lately spent per week behind the wheel of a 2025 Forester Touring in River Rock Pearl. All instructed, together with vacation spot cost, our check car got here to $41,962.
Inside, the Forester nonetheless seems to be like a Subaru, which implies the sprint focus in on the big, vertically oriented touchscreen. As earlier than, the touchscreen is straightforward to learn and the icons displayed are simple to learn at a look.
Our sole connectivity situation is a Bluetooth connection that ceaselessly dropped, forcing us to relink, at a price of a number of minutes every time. That mentioned, the Harman Kardon-brand audio system, commonplace on the Touring, lives as much as the identify, cranking out premium sound stunning in a car within the worth vary.
The cabin, particularly on topline Touring trim comes off as purposeful and premium—a pleasant enchancment over the earlier technology. 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 straightforward sufficient. And, the dialog shall be somewhat 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 could miss the grunty-purposeful motor growl that the model is know for. Maybe sadly(?) the up to date engine sounds, properly, refined, and does little grunting at low pace, 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 a few of the Forester’s spunky nimbleness gone for 2025. The compact Subaru nonetheless handles properly, however it’s rather less sharp edged in corners, and the steering is extra boring than communicative. This isn’t to say that there’s something unsuitable with the Forester, it’s simply that the general commuting expertise is somewhat softer for ’25.
Our noticed gas financial system got here in at round 23 mpg, somewhat disappointing for a small crossover, however our numbers have been possible impacted the Chicago-typical winter temperatures that marked the Forester’s go to with Client Information.
Usually, we wouldn’t bemoan a redesigned car being quieter and higher using than its predecessor, however on this case, we moderately miss the previous Forester and its feisty perspective. However, that’s us. For buyers seeking to faucet into Subaru’s glorious snow-and-foul-weather prowess, and its popularity for reliability and resale worth, the 2025 Forester is definitely the very best instance of the mannequin but.
Now a greater long-trip small-family hauler, the Forester is compelling choice for folk not completely dedicated to buying a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. However should you’re in search of spunky handing and somewhat engine growl, properly, time marches on.
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2025 Subaru Forester Touring Photos
Click on under for enlarged photographs
