2025 Subaru Forester: Refreshed Yet Familiar

Subarus changes gradually. Sometimes, it’s challenging to differentiate one generation of Outback or Impreza from the last at a glance since they change so slowly. With the 2025 Subaru Forester unveiled shortly before the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show, that won’t be the case, but fans of the Forester will recognize the formula well. The best is yet to come, but the redesigned 2025 will arrive with many minor improvements and a new, less flashy exterior. Subaru’s Global CEO, Atsushi Osaki, said on the podium at the unveiling that a hybrid Forester is scheduled to debut in 2026.

As the first hybrid car from Subaru, the hybrid fills a significant gap in the Forester portfolio, as buyers often contrast the crossover with competitors with hybrid options like the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4. According to Osaki, the car is part of Subaru’s worldwide electrification plan, which will release four battery-electric vehicles by 2026 and four more by 2028, or the majority of the current portfolio. One of the vehicles in the strategy is the Solterra, which is now available from Subaru.

Meanwhile, the new style, a modernized interior, and several technological advancements are the significant changes for 2025. The revised Forester is essentially a development of the previous model, despite what the advertisements will undoubtedly claim is “all new.” It will use the same 2.5-liter flat-four engine shared by a few other vehicles in the range and ride on the same platform. Until the hybrid shows up, it will be the only engine available. Although Subaru did not present a Wilderness model, one should be available in a few months.

What’s New? 2025 Subaru Forester?

The most significant alteration is how the Forester now looks. Even though it’s not new, the style is cleaner, with hints of Ford and Nissan designs. With black fender flares that mimic those on the WRX and head and taillight configurations that merge more seamlessly into the body, it looks more aesthetically pleasant, even if it still has a muted design statement compared to cars like the Tucson. It’s not bold but stylish and instantly says “Subaru” from a block away. New styles for 17-, 18-, and 19-inch wheels are also available.

Subaru claims that by using more industrial adhesives and welding more seams, the body and chassis have become 10% stiffer. More sound-absorbing materials will also be available. Subaru says this will result in a 39% reduction in cabin noise. Thanks to the modifications, the Forester will ride more smoothly and handle better. The crossover will also receive the dual-pinion electronic power steering system seen on the WRX, which could help the somewhat erratic Forester address better on winding roads.

The highest Touring trim level comes with redesigned front seats that can beilated. Speaking of cooling, instead of mindlessly heating or cooling every area of the vehicle, the climate control system has been configured to concentrate on occupied seats. The front seats are thinner, making the already roomy rear seat easier to reach.

The 11.6-inch Starlink screen, standard on previous Subaru models, takes center stage in the cabin’s design, essentially a progression of earlier models. The other Forester models will have a large screen and an optional navigation system. However, the basic model will continue to employ an odd configuration of two 7.0-inch displays, similar to other specific entry-model Subarus like the Legacy.

Although there is now a sensor under the bumper that may trigger the optional electric tailgate, the cargo capacity hasn’t improved. Forester enthusiasts often use the roof rails for their outdoor gear, now available in low-profile and high-profile designs.

A new emergency stop assist technology has been added to Forester’s lineup of vehicles, which has long been an industry leader in active safety features. It may cooperate with the other EyeSight safety technologies from Subaru, such as the automated braking and lane-keeping systems, to bring the vehicle to a safe stop and contact the emergency services if the driver loses consciousness. Even though many of the other EyeSight systems are similar, they are still incredibly beneficial and often the best safety systems on the market.

Not all that recent? The 2.5-liter flat-four engine in the Forester remains under the hood, albeit it loses two horsepower. It will produce 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque in 2025. According to Subaru, the car has become marginally lighter overall, so it’s unlikely that drivers would notice a significant change in speed. Additionally, the continuously variable automatic gearbox (CVT), an essential feature of almost every Subaru car, is still in place.

2025 Subaru Forester: Price & Release Date?

Subaru offered a selection of trim levels during the exhibition, but it did not disclose prices. It is recognizable, just like the engine. The standard Forester, with its peculiar displays, will still exist. Then come the Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring trims, all of which have the same equipment levels, though some will have a few extras (like the Touring’s heated and ventilated seats).

It is reasonable to assume that the price hikes won’t be significant given that this isn’t a major redesign of the car, but it will still cost more than the 2023 or 2024 vehicles that are now available for purchase. A starting price of around $30,000, including destination costs, is expected; the Limited will cost approximately $40,000. When the hybrid model is released in 2026, it will undoubtedly cost more than the non-hybrid vehicles. The pricing of the future Wilderness model will likely be comparable to that of the Limited.

It is anticipated that 2025 Subaru Foresters will appear on dealer lots following spring, and the Wilderness will be shown by the second quarter of 2024.

questions and answers