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 economic 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 autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Massive & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score 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 economic system: 25/32/28 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline kind: Common fuel
Base value: $39,995 (not together with $1420 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Particular paint ($395) mats ($152)
Worth as examined: $41,962
Professionals and Cons
The nice: Confirmed foul-weather capability, roomy cabin
The great: Up to date inside feels extra upscale
The not so good: Middling gas economic system, we miss the ‘tude
Evaluation
Our little Forester is all grown up. Looks as if 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 in style 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 autos 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 almost the identical because the 2024 when it comes to width and size. The brand new truck is a little bit 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 autos within the model lineup. Try the 2026 Outback for a greater have 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 12 months, to 180. To not fear, although, because the up to date engine produces extra torque, so will name the facility 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 no less than 20 % higher than standard Foresters. Look ahead to our assessment of the Forester Hybrid within the subsequent few weeks.
You probably have difficultly making choices, you might 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 appears to be like 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)
Shopper Information not too long ago spent per 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 to be like like a Subaru, which suggests the sprint focus in on the massive, 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 difficulty is a Bluetooth connection that ceaselessly 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 identify, cranking out premium sound stunning in a automobile within the value vary.
The cabin, particularly on topline Touring trim comes off as practical and premium—a pleasant enchancment over the earlier technology. 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, entering into and out of the Foresters is straightforward sufficient. And, the dialog will probably be a little bit 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 totally different for 2025, nevertheless it does sound totally different. And when 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 fairly 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, nevertheless 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 mistaken with the Forester, it’s simply that the general commuting expertise is a little bit softer for ’25.
Our noticed gas economic system got here in at round 23 mpg, a little bit disappointing for a small crossover, however our numbers have been doubtless impacted the Chicago-typical winter temperatures that marked the Forester’s go to with Shopper Information.
Usually, we wouldn’t bemoan a redesigned automobile being quieter and higher using than its predecessor, however on this case, we slightly miss the previous Forester and its feisty angle. However, that’s us. For buyers trying to faucet into Subaru’s glorious snow-and-foul-weather prowess, and its status for reliability and resale worth, the 2025 Forester is well the perfect instance of the mannequin but.
Now a greater long-trip small-family hauler, the Forester is compelling choice for folk not solely dedicated to buying a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. However when you’re in search of spunky handing and a little bit engine growl, effectively, time marches on.
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2025 Subaru Forester Touring Footage
Click on under for enlarged pictures
