Perhaps you can connect with the 2025 Subaru Forester if you’re already familiar with its predecessor. This SUV strives to maintain authenticity in an automotive landscape often prioritizing style over substance. The Forester has consistently rejected vanity in favor of practicality and boasts industry-leading outward visibility with its tall roofs and expansive glass, even if the aesthetic might be perceived as unconventional, especially for a boxy vehicle like the Forester. While staying true to its pragmatic origins, the 2025 Forester is making an effort to embrace a fresh perspective, demonstrating the enjoyment that can be derived from its design.
Subaru’s well-received compact crossover SUV maintains its familiar trim-level lineup for the 2025 model year, featuring the Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring variants. In addition, there’s a strong likelihood that Subaru will introduce a Wilderness version, continuing the trend seen in their other models. The 2025 Forester Wilderness is expected to offer increased ground clearance, reinforced body cladding for added protection, and improved off-road capabilities.
Adding to the lineup is the anticipated arrival of the Subaru Forester Hybrid. While details about the powertrain for the 2025 Forester Hybrid remain undisclosed, there’s speculation that Subaru might leverage its partnership with Toyota for the technology, following a similar approach used in the development of the previous-generation Crosstrek plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Considering Toyota’s advancements in PHEVs, such as the RAV4 Prime and Prius Prime, a Forester equipped with similar technology could present a compelling option in the hybrid SUV market.
2025 Subaru Forester Exterior
Upon initial inspection, the redesigned exterior of the 2025 Forester remains faithful to its lineage, exuding a robust stance and an unmistakable sense of adventure. The front fascia takes on a refreshed look, featuring an updated grille that seamlessly merges into compact LED headlights, producing a cohesive and integrated shield effect. This design element could be seen as a subtle homage to the vehicle’s commitment to safety. Accompanying these changes is the introduction of a revitalized Subaru star cluster emblem, adding a touch of freshness to the SUV’s visual identity.
Notably, the exterior enhancements include thoughtful aerodynamic touches that do not compromise the model’s inherent ruggedness. Take, for instance, the strategically placed air outlets near the wheels, suggesting a meticulous consideration for improved stability during motion. These design refinements collectively contribute to a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality in the 2025 Forester.
2025 Subaru Forester Interior
The standard remote keyless entry opens up the interior of the 2025 Forester, revealing a redesigned space with a cleaner and more modern dashboard featuring fewer knobs and buttons. Notably, all trim levels except the Forester Base are equipped with an expansive 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system that seamlessly integrates climate controls.
The reaction to these changes can vary depending on individual perspectives. While the previous Forester’s cabin had a practical yet busy appearance, the new interior of the 2025 Forester appears cleaner and more sophisticated, potentially introducing an element of frustration for some users.
Recognizing Forester’s reputation for excellent outward visibility, Subaru assures that this characteristic remains a priority. Initial impressions from a brief sit inside suggest that the commitment to outstanding visibility holds true.
Subaru has also taken steps to enhance comfort and support in the 2025 Forester by redesigning the front seats, aiming to minimize fatigue during longer journeys. Initial impressions from a brief stint behind the thick-rimmed steering wheel indicate a comfortable experience, though a comprehensive assessment requires an extended test drive.
Standard across all 2025 Forester models is a dual-zone automatic climate control system that focuses on the occupied seats rather than the entire cabin. Additional upgrades include heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and heated wipers. The Forester Touring trim goes a step further, featuring ventilated front seats as standard equipment.
Cargo capacity, a key consideration given the Forester’s squared-off design, remains a strong point. Subaru reports a maximum volume of 74.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, a slight increase from the previous year. This figure may vary with the presence of the panoramic glass sunroof.
Emphasizing utility, the 2025 Subaru Forester incorporates standard roof rails on all trims, a wider cargo opening, and eight heavy-duty utility hooks in the cargo area. Introducing a hands-free power-operated liftgate for the first time, Subaru allows activation with a simple foot gesture beneath the rear bumper, enhancing convenience for users.
2025 Subaru Forester Specs
The 2025 Forester from Subaru is powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, generating 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. This engine propels all four wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Subaru emphasizes that the standard AWD system exhibits quicker response times to changing surface conditions, and the CVT has been refined for smoother operation.
Beginning with the Premium trim, the Forester introduces transmission paddle shifters, allowing manual control of the CVT’s eight programmed ratios. The Forester Premium also features a hill descent control system and Subaru X-Mode, enhancing traction in various driving conditions. The Sport trim takes it a step further by offering dual-function X-Mode, providing additional traction programs for a broader range of driving scenarios.
Notably, the 2025 Subaru Forester boasts an impressive 8.7 inches of ground clearance, outclassing most of its competitors. This proves beneficial when navigating through standing water on roads, tackling blizzards, or venturing far off-road to remote campsites.
Enhancements to driving dynamics include a 10-percent increase in torsional rigidity and the adoption of the WRX sport sedan’s dual-pinion electronic power steering rack. Subaru also claims that the new Forester delivers a smoother ride and a quieter interior compared to its predecessor.
Every 2025 Forester comes standard with alloy wheels, ranging in size from 17 to 19 inches. The Sport trim stands out with its trendy bronze-colored wheels, adding a distinctive touch to the SUV’s appearance.
2025 Subaru Forester Safety
Subaru has equipped the 2025 Forester with a next-generation iteration of its EyeSight suite, a collection of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This updated system boasts a wider field of view, improved software, and incorporates an electronic brake booster for enhanced effectiveness.
A notable addition to the safety features is the introduction of Emergency Stop Assist, making its debut in the Forester. This automatic emergency stop assistance system activates when using the adaptive cruise control, intervening when it detects an inattentive driver. In such instances, the Forester is brought to a stop, hazard lights are activated, and emergency services are automatically notified for assistance.
Standard on every 2025 Forester are steering-responsive LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. The compact crossover SUV also offers various available ADAS features, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, reverse automatic braking, lane-keeping assistance, and a surround-view camera system.
Notably, the Forester introduces Automatic Emergency Steering, an evasive steering-assistance system operational at speeds under 50 mph. This feature enhances stability when the driver makes sudden swerves to avoid obstacles on the road.
The Forester Touring trim takes safety a step further with the inclusion of the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System. This driver monitoring system utilizes facial recognition software and a camera to monitor the driver’s face, issuing warnings if distraction is detected. Additionally, it supports gesture control adjustment of the climate control system temperature, adding a layer of convenience to the driving experience.
2025 Subaru Forester Technology
The all-new 2025 Forester not only incorporates the latest EyeSight technology but also upgrades to the newest STARLINK infotainment systems. For the Base trim, this translates to dual 7-inch touchscreens. The upper screen facilitates Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio access, while the lower screen manages the climate system and other vehicle settings.
The majority of 2025 Foresters, however, are equipped with the comprehensive 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen. This all-in-one system features wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and embedded climate controls. Notably, the system includes volume and tuning knobs along with temperature control buttons for easy adjustment of common functions. An available navigation system with voice recognition and what3words technology is compatible with the single-display infotainment system.
In terms of connectivity and safety features, STARLINK Safety and Security-connected services are available. These services provide the Forester with features such as SOS emergency assistance, automatic collision notification, remote vehicle locator, remote access to vehicle locking, and more, enhancing both safety and convenience for the driver and passengers.
2025 Subaru Forester Competitors
The 2025 Subaru Forester enters a highly competitive market with numerous alternatives in the compact crossover SUV segment. Among the most appealing options are the Ford Bronco Sport, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-50, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, and Volkswagen Tiguan.
Despite facing robust competition, the Forester maintains its traditional strengths, emphasizing roominess, practicality, utility, safety, and genuine capability on and off the road, regardless of weather conditions. These enduring qualities have been key factors contributing to the Forester’s ongoing appeal and success in the market.
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