2025 Subaru Forester Summary Points
- All new and redesigned for the 2025 model year, the Subaru Forester is now in its sixth generation.
- The 2025 Forester is built on a 10 percent stiffer Subaru Global Platform, which features a full inner frame construction, stronger welds, and more structural adhesives.
- In addition to having a quieter cabin, the 2025 Subaru Forester offers slightly more cargo space than the 2024 model.
2025 Subaru Forester: What’s New?
The Forester has been a perennial bestseller for Subaru, and the Forester’s rally-conquering DNA remains embedded in the core of every generation since the original model helped jump-start the crossover trend in 1997.
The 2025 Forester has a bolder front grille and redesigned headlights to accompany its new Subaru star cluster emblem. Its stance is not the finest example of aerodynamic properties, but Subaru gave the new Forester air outlets in the front wheel openings to combat lift at freeway speeds.
All Foresters deliver up to 8.7 inches of ground clearance and offer decent room for five adults. In addition, the Forester has a new dual-pinion power steering rack from the WRX. The base Forester has 17-inch wheels, while higher trim grades get 18-inch and 19-inch rollers.
The 2025 Forester is built on a 10 percent stiffer Subaru Global Platform, which features a full inner frame construction, stronger welds, and more structural adhesives. Benefits of the design include a quieter cabin and better handling.
Engine & Transmission
The 2025 Subaru Forester retains its predecessor’s 2.5-liter naturally aspirated Boxer four-cylinder but with two fewer horses than before. It pumps out 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft. of torque, but Subaru promises peak torque at lower RPMs, helping the driver achieve better acceleration without burying the go-pedal.
The engine connects to a Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission). Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring grades have paddle shifters to toggle between the eight virtual gear ratios.
Of course, the 2025 Forester has symmetrical all-wheel drive, but Subaru included active torque vectoring and the SI-Drive driving modes to sweeten the pot. Moreover, Forester Premium receives X-Mode with hill descent control, while Forester Sport has dual-function X-Mode for mild off-roading.
2025 Subaru Forester Cargo Space
The 2025 Subaru Forester offers 29.6 cubic feet with the rear seats upright and up to 74.4 cubic feet with the second row folded, a slight increase from the 2024 Forester’s 28.9 and 74.2 cubic feet, respectively.
Quiet Cabin & New Tech Features
Subaru has exerted maximum effort to make the 2025 Forester the most convenient and refined in its lineage. Besides having a stiffer chassis, it has more sound-deadening materials in the roof to make the cabin 39 percent quieter on the highway.
New for the 2025 Forester is a power liftgate that opens by placing your foot under the rear bumper. Other thoughtful features include steering-responsive LED headlights, automatic high beams, utility hooks in the cargo area, welcome lighting, and tire pressure monitoring with an individual wheel display.
The base Forester has a dual seven-inch touchscreen display with smartphone connectivity (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), SiriusXM All-Access Radio, and Bluetooth. Higher trim levels have an 11.6-inch Starlink infotainment touchscreen that includes wireless smartphone connectivity and over-the-air (OTA) updates.
Updated Safety Features (EyeSight)
Every 2025 Forester has the latest version of Subaru’s EyeSight advanced driving assist technology. The package includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, forward collision mitigation, and lane-keeping assistance with the ability to detect cyclists and pedestrians. If and when necessary, the 2025 Forester alerts the driver and applies the brakes to avoid collisions.
“The latest version of the EyeSight system operates more smoothly and quickly and under a greater range of conditions than prior versions,” Subaru said in a statement. “These improvements are thanks to a wider field of view, updated control software, and the addition of an electric brake booster.”
Subaru’s Rear Seat Reminder feature is standard for every 2025 Forester, which helps prevent child and pet entrapment by alerting the driver to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle.
Meanwhile, Emergency Stop Assist activates if the driver becomes unresponsive to warnings while the adaptive cruise control is engaged. Standard on every 2025 Subaru Forester, Emergency Stop Assist will stop the vehicle, activate the hazard lights, and unlock the doors.
2025 Subaru Forester Starting MSRP
The 2025 Subaru Forester will arrive in Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring. Below is a breakdown of each variant and the corresponding MSRPs. The price figures include the $1,395 destination charge.
If you have questions about new vehicle financing, this Auto Loans 101 video will point you in the right direction.
Forester Base
The entry-level Forester starts at $31,090. Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels with a dark metallic and machine finish, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, steering responsive LED headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, roof rails, and Subaru’s SI-DRIVE Engine Performance Management system.
Forester Premium
The Forester Premium starts at $33,390. As the name suggests, the Premium builds on the base model with the addition of an 11.6-inch Starlink multimedia system, wireless charging, front and rear USB-A and USB-C charge ports, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Other standard features include a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a panoramic moonroof, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The standard All-Weather Package includes heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and windshield wiper deicer. An optional $1,200 package adds a power liftgate and blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert.
Forester Sport
The Sport starts at $35,890 and is characterized by its bronze 19-inch alloy wheels, gloss black front grille, and a bronze rear “Sport” badge. StarTex upholstery with brown stitching, a dark gray dash panel, and a bronze steering wheel insert decorate the inside.
Sport models have more performance-oriented features, like dual-function X-MODE with hill descent control, an eight-speed manual shift mode via steering wheel paddle shifters, and a re-tuned suspension. Standard drive assist features include blind-spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert, in addition to automatic emergency steering.
An optional $1,700 package adds a Harman Kardon audio system with 11 speakers, a power liftgate, reverse automatic emergency braking, and Subaru’s SI-Drive Engine Performance Management system with Intelligent and Sport Sharp modes.
Forester Wilderness
The popular Wilderness model returns for the 2025 Forester, starting at $36,315.
Unique styling elements include the hexagonal front grille, hexagonal LED fog lights, and a matte black, anti-glare hood decal to diffuse direct sunlight on the trails. Water-resistant StarTex seating surfaces, all-weather mats, and a cargo tray are standard on the inside.
An optional $1,850 package includes an eight-inch Starlink multimedia system, a nine-speaker Harman Kardon stereo, and a power liftgate.
Forester Limited
The Limited starts at $37,390 and is standard with perforated leather-trimmed upholstery with blue contrast stitching, an eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat, heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a foot-activated, hands-free power liftgate.
An optional $1,600 package adds a Harman Kardon audio system with 11 speakers, reverse automatic emergency braking, and navigation powered by TomTom.
Forester Touring
The Touring model is the fully loaded Forester, starting at $41,390. Standard features include black or brown perforated leather-trimmed upholstery with suede bolsters, a two-position memory driver’s seat (with memory exterior mirrors), heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats.
Other standard features include a 360 surround view monitor, lower-profile roof rack, 19-inch alloy wheels, and rear chrome badging. Touring models are also standard with an 11.6-inch Starlink multimedia system, Harman Kardon audio, and Subaru’s driver distraction mitigation system.
2025 Subaru Forester Factory Warranty
Every Forester has a three-year, 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. If you need additional coverage, our comprehensive guide to Subaru extended warranties has all the details.
Alvin Reyes is an Automoblog feature columnist and a noted sports car expert. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten with his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.
Photos & Source: Subaru of America, Inc.
