Forester 2025 Renewal a Hit

CHATHAM, Mass. – The Subaru Forester, the epitome of a compact sport utility (SUV or crossover utility, CUV), has been thoroughly revised for the 2025 model year. We recently spent several days in the sixth-generation Premium version, finding it tighter, quieter and more modern than the previous offerings.

The Premium trim is the most popular of the five Forester versions, offering a solid balance of price, performance, luxury and technology, especially in the 2025 revision which includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with the 11.6-inch LCD touchscreen-controlled Subaru STARLINK infotainment system.

Unique powertrain moves the Forester

Like all Subaru vehicles, the 2025 Forester’s engine features horizontally opposed cylinder banks (as opposed to an inline or “V” configuration), like Porsche engines, coupled to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine with aluminum block and cylinder heads, double overhead camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder, produces 180 horsepower and 178 pounds-feet of torque.

The power flows through the CVT into the standard (on all Subaru models except the two-door BRZ sport coupe) Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system. The active torque split AWD with electronically managed continuously variable hydraulic transfer clutch actively manages the torque split based on acceleration, deceleration, and available traction. System continuously powers all four wheels and will transfer torque to the wheels with the best grip.

In addition, the driver-selectable X-MODE setting optimizes engine output and CVT ratio position, increases active all-wheel drive engagement and uses enhanced control logic for the vehicle dynamics control (VDC) stability system to reduce individual wheel spin; VDC/traction control is integrated into the X-MODE control dial and includes hill-descent control.

The results of these various engineering features is a five-passenger, compact SUV capable of accelerating to 60 miles per hour in 8.3 seconds (according to Car and Driver) while achieving 33.2 miles per gallon of fuel economy (all on regular gasoline). This result, despite my lead foot method of driving, bettered the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s official rating of 29 overall (26 urban, 33 highway).

Platform shows its mettle

The drivetrain’s engineering, especially the AWD’s torque vectoring with traction control, aids the fully independent suspension in providing sure-footed handling. The suspension pieces include MacPherson-type struts, lower L-arms, coil springs, stabilizer bar and hydraulic engine mounts up front and a double-wishbone, coil-springs and stabilizer-bar setup in the rear.

The 2025 Forester brake system is an electronically controlled power-assisted, dual diagonal-wheel disc brake one with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and four-channel/four-sensor anti-lock (ABS) with brake assist and brake override safety systems. The ventilated rotors are 12.4 inches in front, 11.8 in the rear.

The Forester Premium rides on 225/60R17 99H all-season tires wrapped around 17×7-inch aluminum alloy, dark-metallic-with-machine-finish wheels.

The sum of all these parts is a capable, compact SUV for everyday driving. Despite what many would say (and some automotive journalists write), the 2025 Subaru Forester Premium is not slow. No, its performance will not challenge many other vehicles on the road today, especially those powered by electricity, but in real-world operation I never felt like I did not have enough power to merge onto a highway or maneuver around and through traffic. And the fuel economy is excellent for this type of vehicle.

Nice complement of ADAS on board

All Subaru Forester models come with the latest version of the award-winning EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, the company’s take on advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). This version of the EyeSight system operates more smoothly and quickly and under a greater range of conditions than prior versions. A wider field of view, updated control software, and the addition of an electric brake booster are the primary reasons for the improvements.

EyeSight can identify cyclists and pedestrians at intersections sooner and, when necessary, alerts the driver and applies braking to avoid collisions.

The basic EyeSight system includes advanced adaptive cruise control with lane centering, pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management, lane departure and sway warning, lead vehicle start alert and lane departure prevention.

An additional ADAS safety feature built into the advanced adaptive cruise-control system is Emergency Stop Assist. This activates if the driver is unresponsive to warnings while using the advanced adaptive cruise-control and will stop the vehicle, activate the hazard lights, and unlock the doors. SUBARU STARLINK® Connected Services will then place a call to emergency services. Luckily, I never had reason or a chance to try this feature (although I did use the cruise control successfully).

The test vehicle included the optional (part of the $1,200 Premium Option Package) Driver-Assist Technology package with automatic emergency steering and blind-spot detection with lane change assist as well as rear cross-traffic alert.

Good combination of interior features

A new, more comfortable, user-friendly interior is further evidence of the advances befitting a completely redesigned vehicle like the new 2025 Subaru Forester Premium.

Literally front and center is the 11.6-inch (tablet, vertically, oriented) LCD touchscreen at the heart of the SUBARU STARLINK multimedia infotainment system. The top portion of the screen is devoted to information like media selection, local weather and engine conditions, while the bottom section includes the touch controls for the dual-zone automatic climate-control system and the on/off for the engine stop/start system.

The majority of the screen is devoted to infotainment and vehicle-app information, data and the like. Sound from the infotainment system is projected through six speakers.

There is power adjustment for the driver’s seat which, like the front passenger’s, is heated.

Solid value story for all Subaru Forester models

We have liked all of the Subaru vehicles reviewed in recent years, noting improvements each time a new generation – like this sixth one for the Forester – makes an appearance. The 2024 Forester Wilderness we sampled earlier this year was a good vehicle with good value; I think the 2025 Forester is better, improved.

All Forester versions offer excellent value for a reliable compact SUV. The company has added standard equipment to each trim level, but buyers still can build a Forester to suit their needs and pocketbook.

The base Forester starts off the range at $29,695, while the fully equipped Touring model  comes in at $39,995. The Premium version we sampled carried a base price of $33,195 to which the aforementioned Option Package ($1,200, which also included a power rear gate with automatic close, height memory and hands-free foot activation sensor) and destination & delivery charge ($1,395) were added for an as-tested total of $35,790.

As Subaru Forester buyers have known for five previous generations of compact SUVs, this represents excellent value from a reliable manufacturer – a good choice.

Mike Geylin
Mike Geylin

Mike Geylin is the Editor-in-Chief at Hagman Media. Geylin has been in automotive communications for five decades working in all aspects of the industry from OEM to supplier to motorsports as well as reporting for both newspapers and magazines on the industry.