3.6
Overall Rating
Overview
The 2025 Subaru Forester marks the sixth generation of this beloved compact SUV, building on its reputation for practicality and reliability. With updated interior and exterior styling, enhanced safety features, and a refined 2.5-litre engine, the Forester aims to balance comfort, versatility, and rugged capability.
While the focus on comfort may leave driving enthusiasts wanting more, the Forester’s smooth ride, spacious cabin, and advanced all-wheel-drive system ensure it remains a dependable choice for families and outdoor adventurers alike. Though its higher price tag raises questions about value, the Forester continues to deliver where it matters most—comfort, safety, and reliability.
Pros
- Standard All-Wheel Drive: Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system provides excellent traction, making the Forester reliable in diverse weather and road conditions.
- Spacious and Comfortable Interior: A roomy cabin with high-quality materials and thoughtful design makes the Forester ideal for families and road trips.
- Advanced Safety Features: Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology comes standard, offering features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist for added peace of mind.
Cons
- Underpowered Engine: The 2.5-litre engine struggles with high-speed acceleration and feels less dynamic than competitors.
- Higher Price Tag: With a starting price of $33,495, the Forester’s cost is higher than previous models and may deter value-focused buyers.
- Subdued Styling: While updated, the Forester’s design lacks the sharpness and boldness seen in rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
The 2025 Subaru Forester is designed with comfort and practicality in mind, appealing to a broad range of drivers. Its quieter cabin, advanced safety features, and smooth ride make it an excellent choice for older buyers seeking a dependable and stress-free driving experience.
At the same time, the Forester’s rugged all-wheel-drive capability and spacious interior ensure it remains a compelling option for outdoor enthusiasts and families. Whether navigating city streets or tackling off-road trails, the Forester offers versatility and reliability for drivers who value a balance between everyday convenience and adventurous spirit.
What's new?
The 2025 Subaru Forester brings a host of updates aimed at enhancing both style and functionality. The exterior now features sleeker lines, a redesigned front grille, and modern LED lighting for a more contemporary look. Inside, premium materials and thoughtful upgrades, like dual-zone automatic climate control and standard heated front seats, elevate comfort and convenience.
Performance enhancements include a refined 2.5-litre engine and a retuned suspension system, providing a smoother on-road ride while preserving its off-road prowess. These updates ensure the Forester remains competitive in a crowded compact SUV segment while staying true to its rugged, versatile identity.
3.5
Performance
Performance
The 2025 Subaru Forester delivers dependable performance with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer engine and standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. While the engine’s horsepower and torque see a slight reduction, Subaru has improved low-end responsiveness, enhancing acceleration for city driving and off-road trails.
Subtle performance upgrades, including a stiffer chassis, a new steering rack, and an upgraded CVT, contribute to a smoother and quieter ride. These refinements ensure the Forester excels as an everyday driver, offering reliable traction and stability in various conditions. However, its powertrain may feel underwhelming at higher speeds or on steep inclines, limiting its appeal to performance-oriented buyers.
3.75
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel Efficiency
The 2025 Subaru Forester offers respectable fuel efficiency, especially considering its standard all-wheel-drive system. With consumption ratings of 9.1 L/100 km in the city and 7.2 L/100 km on the highway (8.2 L/100 km combined), it balances practicality and economy for a compact SUV.
While these figures are competitive, the Forester lags behind hybrid-equipped rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V in terms of efficiency. All trims share the same 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer engine paired with a CVT, ensuring consistent performance across the lineup but limiting potential gains in fuel savings.
4
Comfort
Comfort
The 2025 Subaru Forester prioritizes comfort with a spacious cabin and thoughtfully upgraded interior materials. Front seats now offer enhanced cushioning and support, with 1,100 mm of legroom in the front and 1,000 mm in the rear, making long drives more enjoyable for all passengers.
Improved sound insulation minimizes road and wind noise, creating a serene atmosphere, while dual-zone climate control and standard heated front seats elevate everyday convenience. Premium trims offer additional features like heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel, making the Forester an inviting option for drivers who value comfort and practicality.
3.5
Tech
Tech
The 2025 Subaru Forester delivers thoughtful tech upgrades that enhance both connectivity and safety. Base trims feature a dual 7.0-inch touchscreen system, while higher trims introduce an 11.6-inch tablet-style display, both equipped with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth for seamless smartphone integration.
Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is standard across all trims, with upgrades like a wide-angle mono camera for improved visibility and enhanced cyclist and pedestrian detection. New additions, such as Emergency Stop Assist and advanced adaptive cruise control, reinforce the Forester’s focus on driver safety and convenience, making it a strong contender in the tech-savvy compact SUV market.
3.5
Space
Space
The 2025 Subaru Forester offers a spacious interior that combines practicality with user-friendly design. Base trims provide 838 litres of cargo space, while higher trims with the panoramic moonroof offer 774 litres. Folding the rear seats expands the capacity to 2,107 litres for base trims and 1,957 litres for higher trims, making it easy to carry larger loads.
Although its cargo capacity is slightly less than rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the Forester’s boxy shape and upright cargo area simplify loading bulky items. Whether preparing for a family road trip or hauling sports equipment, the Forester’s adaptable storage space meets the demands of an active lifestyle.
3.25
Style
Style
The 2025 Subaru Forester adopts a refreshed design that blends rugged appeal with modern aesthetics. Sculpted fenders and additional wheel arch cladding enhance its adventurous look, while the redesigned front grille and sleek LED lighting add a contemporary touch.
Although these updates give the Forester a more polished appearance, some may feel it has lost the distinctiveness of previous models. Features like the extended tail lights and a design reminiscent of competitors suggest Subaru is playing it safe rather than embracing bold innovation.
4
Reliability
Reliability
The 2025 Subaru Forester continues to uphold its reputation for reliability, with no major changes to its proven engine, transmission, and AWD system. These carryovers from previous generations suggest a dependable performance, ensuring drivers can count on the Forester for years to come.
Subaru has addressed past concerns, such as issues with head gaskets and piston ring lands, while introducing minor engine tweaks to enhance durability. The updated inner frame construction, featuring additional adhesives and welds, further strengthens the vehicle’s build quality, making the 2025 Forester a durable choice for families and adventurers alike.
4
Safety
Safety
The 2025 Subaru Forester places safety at the forefront with a suite of advanced features that come standard across all trims. Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology includes Emergency Stop Assist, Automatic Emergency Steering, and a Surround-View Monitor, providing enhanced protection and confidence behind the wheel.
A strengthened body structure further improves crash safety, building on the Forester’s legacy of reliability and durability. Whether navigating city streets or exploring rugged terrain, the 2025 Forester ensures peace of mind for drivers and passengers alike.
3.25
Reliability
Value
The 2025 Subaru Forester starts at $33,495 for the base Convenience trim, with the range-topping Premium model priced at $44,995. These prices place the Forester squarely within the competitive compact SUV market, alongside rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
While the Forester’s advanced safety features and all-wheel-drive system justify its cost for many buyers, some may find its underpowered engine and average fuel efficiency less appealing. Though not a bargain, the Forester offers solid value for drivers who prioritize reliability, safety, and versatility over raw performance.