The 2025 Subaru Forester marks the debut of the sixth generation of the longstanding go-to compact SUV. There’s plenty new, but the manufacturer also realized success is often best left alone.
More passenger space, a quieter ride and style upgrades provide a more modern appearance. But the two-row, five-passenger, square-bodied family vehicle retains what loyalists, notably mountain dwellers, appreciate. Dependability and safety matter most.
The manufacturer’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system is its signature feature. With the Forester’s higher ground clearance, moderate off-road treks are easily doable. Inclement weather travel is handled at the top of the segment’s crowd choices.
All models come standard with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of camera-based driver-assistance features. The electronic safety gear can identify cyclists and pedestrians at intersections earlier, providing alerts and automatic braking to prevent collisions. Standard also reverse automatic breaking, glide-sport section, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the new Forester a Top Safety Pick. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it a five out-of-five star overall safety rating.
Subaru’s effort to infiltrate the segment’s more popular choices is the introduction of this year’s Forester hybrid. It joins hybrid versions of the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-50 and Toyota RAV4 in a healthy competition for consumers’ dollars.
The hybrid combines Subaru’s traditional 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with two electric motors. The combined horsepower is 194 or 14 more than the non-hybrid Forester. The former is EPA-rated at 35 miles per gallon in city driving, 34 mpg on the highway. Non-hybrid Forester models average 25 and 26 mpg in city driving, 32 and 33 mpg on the highway, depending upon trim.
Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring trims offered. The reviewed Sport has upgrades like 19-inch wheels, an 11-speaker Harman/Kardon stereo, a gloss-black front grille and faux-leather upholstery.
The new generation features several interior improvements, including new seats constructed with better materials and stronger bolsters. Subaru models always feel comfortable and firm, just more so for 2025. Unchanged is the interior space for the non-hybrid 28 cubic feet behind the second row, 69 cubic feet when the seats are folded. The hybrid has the same specs.
The Forester’s new exterior look includes a slightly larger overall appearance, thicker glass, additional structural reinforcement and hybrid badging. The result is an overall improved ride for the rugged-lite SUV. It’s family comfort combined with power stuff like hill descent control, torque vectoring and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.
Subaru’s practical traits define the lineup. Except for the WRX sport-oriented sedan, what also defines the brand is its pedestrian acceleration. The hybrid model advances from 0-to-60 miles per hour in 8.6 seconds. The non-hybrid model is rated at 8.3 seconds in the standard acceleration test.
Standard technology equipment includes: An 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster features navigation functionality with Apple Maps compatibility. Bluetooth hands-free phone, audio streaming connectivity and a wireless smartphone charging pad are also standard, and there’s also a satisfactory AM/FM and Satellite stereo system.
Throughout its tenure, Subaru has also emphasized safety while traveling with animal family members. The Forester has eight utility hooks in the cargo area. The manufacturer has an expansive collection of after-market, animal-oriented equipment, at least some of which utilizes the hooks.
Subaru prefers its vehicles are known for their dependability and versatility. Premium styling, luxury equipment and high-end performance are other brands’ strengths.
The Forester Hybrid is available for slightly less than $40,000. It’s a worthy choice for many reasons, particularly when getting wherever safely is more important than getting there first.
James Raia, a syndicated automotive columnist in Sacramento, also contributes business, lifestyle and sports content to several print and online publications. E-mail: [email protected].