Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Subaru Forester Touring
Specs
Class: Compact Crossover
Nation of Manufacture: Japan
Coloration: River Rock Pearl
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 131
Actual-world gasoline 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 automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of your entire mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 180-horsepower 2.5-liter |
| Engine Sort | 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | CVT-automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 25/32/28 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline kind: Common gasoline
Base value: $39,995 (not together with $1420 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Particular paint ($395) mats ($152)
Value as examined: $41,962
Execs and Cons
The good: Confirmed foul-weather potential, roomy cabin
The great: Up to date inside feels extra upscale
The not so good: Middling gasoline economic system, we miss the ‘tude
Evaluate
Our little Forester is all grown up. Looks like 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 era, and as standard as ever.
New for the 1998 mannequin 12 months, the small and inexpensive 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 kind of 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 automobiles 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 generally 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 somewhat heavier nevertheless, with the added mass seemingly utilized to structural enhancements and sound deadening.
Styling has been up to date inside and outside, and the brand new Forester appears proper at house amongst different automobiles within the model lineup. Take a look at the 2026 Outback for a greater take 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. Although down 2 horsepower for ’25, 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 at the least 20 % higher than typical Foresters. Look ahead to our evaluate of the Forester Hybrid within the subsequent few weeks.
You probably have difficultly making choices, you could be concerned 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 seems 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 lately spent every 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 seems like a Subaru, which implies the sprint focus in on the massive, vertically oriented touchscreen. As earlier than, the touchscreen is straightforward to learn and the icons displayed are straightforward to learn at a look.
Our sole connectivity challenge is a Bluetooth connection that ceaselessly 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 shocking 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 era. House, like earlier than, is ample for the category, on the Forester will present comfy 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 straightforward sufficient. And, the dialog shall be somewhat 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 completely different for 2025, nevertheless it does sound completely different. And for those who’re an old-school Subaru loyalist, you could 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 moderately fast getaways from a cease, and has sufficient energy to enter onto freeways with little fuss.
Dealing with is class common, with a number of 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 uninteresting than communicative. This isn’t to say that there’s something unsuitable with the Forester, it’s simply that the general commuting expertise is somewhat softer for ’25.
Our noticed gasoline economic system got here in at round 23 mpg, somewhat disappointing for a small crossover, however our numbers have been seemingly 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 reasonably miss the outdated Forester and its feisty perspective. 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 completely dedicated to buying a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. However for those who’re in search of spunky handing and somewhat engine growl, effectively, time marches on.
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2025 Subaru Forester Touring Photos
Click on under for enlarged photographs
