Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid
Specs
Class: Compact Crossover
Nation of Manufacture: Japan
Colour: Autumn Inexperienced Metallic
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 188
Actual-world gas financial system: 35.4 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | B |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Economic system | A |
| 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 mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A- |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 194-horsepower 2.5-liter |
| Engine Kind | 4-cyinder hybrid |
| Transmission | CVT automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 35/34/35 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas kind: Common fuel
Base worth: $41,695 (not together with $1420 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at car: Particular paint ($495)
Value as examined: $43,610
Audio-System Model
Harman Kardon
Audio-System High quality
Poor Truthful Good Very-Good Wonderful
Professionals and Cons
The good: Confirmed foul-weather potential, roomy cabin, glorious gas financial system
The great: Up to date inside feels extra upscale
The not so good: Too refined? Some traditional Subaru character appears lacking
Assessment
You’ll usually learn within the description of a Subaru, that it is likely one of the carmaker’s most-popular fashions. And whereas that declare is probably going true, it’s essential to know that Subaru sells three fashions that aren’t solely common, however carry out in shut proximity to one another when it comes to gross sales.
By way of June of 2025, these are the three most-popular Subaru fashions:
- Forester (compact crossover) 95,972 gross sales
- Crosstrek (subcompact crossover): 90,334
- Outback (compact crossover/midsize automobile) 73,257
The fourth best-selling Subie, the Ascent midsize crossover, hardly blips on the gross sales chart compared to the model’s massive three, coming in at simply 21,479 models bought for a similar interval.
Subaru’s different fashions (BRZ, Impreza, Legacy, WRX, and the electrical Solterra) mixed for simply 17,669 gross sales by way of June. So, when a mannequin is described as one among Subaru’s best-selling automobiles, we’re speaking a few crossover (they’re all crossovers) that’s instrumental to the maker’s U.S. presence.
And, when a type of three core fashions is redesigned, it’s a very massive deal. Enter the 2025 Forester, a Subaru mannequin that has not solely been redesigned, however has been made accessible with a hybrid drivetrain for the primary time. Foreshadow: It’s a very good hybrid powertrain.
The 2025 replace contains contemporary inside and exterior styling, up to date connectivity options, and, as famous above, an accessible hybrid setup.
Whereas the conventionally powered 2025 Forester is obtainable in a beneficiant array of six trim ranges, hybrid variants are restricted to 4. Right here’s the lineup:
- Premium ($38,015)
- Sport ($41,015)
- Restricted ($42,430)
- Touring ($44,715)
The extra value for going hybrid runs between $1700 and $3500 relying on trim stage. Word, too, that the Wilderness trim stage for 2025 relies on the previous-generation Forester. It will likely be up to date for 2026, and isn’t anticipated to be accessible in hybrid guise.
The up to date Forester’s normal engine is basically unchanged. That powertrain pairs a 180-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT-style automated transmission. Hybrid fashions make use of a model of the identical engine mated to a pair of electrical motors for a mixed 194 horsepower. A CVT automated can also be a part of the hybrid setup. All Foresters come normal with Subaru’s branded Symmetrical AWD.
Word: Subaru turned to Toyota for assist in creating a hybrid system for the Forester, with attention-grabbing outcomes. Whereas AWD Toyota fashions (assume RAV4) make use of electrical motors on the rear axle to attain the specified torque distribution, Subaru selected to make use of its personal AWD system, incorporating a standard switch case, drive shaft, and axles. The results of this effort is a hybrid Forester that includes the car’s well-known snow and dirt functionality, however considerably diminished gas financial system. In comparison with an AWD RAV4 Hybrid, the Forester returns gas financial system roughly 2 mpg decrease. We predict the gas financial system tradeoff is well worth the effort, and admire Subaru staying true to its heritage.
Shopper Information lately spent a while behind the wheel of a 2025 Subaru Forester Touring in Autumn Inexperienced Metallic. Together with the vacation spot cost, our take a look at car got here in at $43,610. That determine represents about all the cash you may spend on a brand new Forester, not together with comparatively reasonably priced dealer-installed equipment.
Inside, the Forester nonetheless seems to be 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 difficulty is a Bluetooth connection that steadily dropped, forcing us to relink, at a value of a number of minutes every time. That stated, the Harman Kardon-brand audio system, normal on the Touring, lives as much as the identify, cranking out premium sound that’s shocking in a car within the worth vary.
The cabin, particularly on topline Touring trim comes off as useful and premium—a pleasant enchancment over the earlier era. Area, like earlier than, is ample for the category, on the Forester will present snug long-trip transportation for 4 grownup. Moreover, regardless of a claimed 8.7-inches of floor clearance, stepping into and out of the Foresters is simple sufficient. And, the dialog shall be somewhat simpler now, because the cabin is notably quieter than the 2024 mannequin.
Having already sampled a conventionally powered 2025 Forester (you may learn that assessment right here) we are able to say with out hesitation that the hybrid setup is the best way to go. Right here’s why:
- Higher gas financial system (35 mpg versus 23)
- Higher energy, particularly round city
- Improved engine cease/begin operation
Whereas we admire the improved gas financial system, we’re extra impressed by the improved low-speed energy, which makes for faster and simpler begins from a cease. Additionally, the engine cease/begin operation, which is normally fairly crude in Subaru automobiles, is now very clean.
In any other case, the hybrid powertrain will get the job accomplished, it’s just a bit quieter and smoother than the non-hybrid engine.
In the very best method, the 2025 Forester feels acquainted to us. Whereas there was nothing actually improper with the previous Forester, we admire the up to date inside, and general quieter cabin. The brand new hybrid powertrain is each somewhat extra refined than the usual engine, and significantly extra environment friendly. For those who’re procuring on this class—as so many Individuals are—we suggest including the Forester Hybrid to your test-drive checklist.
Take heed to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2025 Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid Footage
Click on beneath for enlarged photos
