Text by Tom Appel
2025 Subaru Forester Touring
Specs
Class: Compact Crossover
Country of Manufacture: Japan
Color: River Rock Pearl
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 131
Real-world fuel economy: 23.3 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | B- |
| Fit and Finish | B+ |
| Fuel Economy | B- |
| Value | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 180-horsepower 2.5-liter |
| Engine Type | 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | CVT-automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 25/32/28 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Regular gas
Base price: $39,995 (not including $1420 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($395) mats ($152)
Price as tested: $41,962
Pros and Cons
The great: Proven foul-weather ability, roomy cabin
The good: Updated interior feels more upscale
The not so good: Middling fuel economy, we miss the ‘tude
Review
Our little Forester is all grown up. Seems like only yesterday Subaru rolled out its first crossover, but that was more than 25 years ago, and our little SUV is now in its sixth generation, and as popular as ever.
New for the 1998 model year, the small and affordable Forester exploded into the American marketplace promising practical all-weather performance, Subaru reliability, and just a twinge of non-conformist ‘tude. Just a twinge.
Last year the Forester was the 2nd-best-selling U.S.-market Subaru model, but the numbers are so close, it’s more or less a three-way tie.
The subcompact Crosstrek lead in 2024 with 182,000 sales, followed by the Forester compact crossover at 176,000, and the Outback midsize wagon at 169,000. Regardless of the finish order, this is an enviable triumvirate of strong-selling, well-loved vehicles with which to stock a showroom.
Not exactly all new, the updated Forester rides on a modified version of its previous-generation architecture, though is mostly unchanged dimensionally. The 2025 rides on the same wheelbase, and is nearly the same as the 2024 in terms of width and length. The new truck is a little heavier however, with the added mass seemingly applied to structural enhancements and sound deadening.
Styling has been updated inside and out, and the new Forester seems right at home among other vehicles in the brand lineup. Check out the 2026 Outback for a better look at where the brand is heading design-wise.
Returning for 2025 is the Forester’s tried-and-true 2.5-liter “boxer” 4-cylinder engine. Though down 2 horsepower for ’25, to 180. Not to worry, though, as the updated engine produces more torque, so will call the power ratings change a push. As before, all Foresters are fitted with a CVT-style automatic transmission, and true to brand, all come with AWD.
New for 2025 is a hybrid drivetrain. That setup is rated at 198 horsepower, and returns EPA-estimated mileage at least 20 percent better than conventional Foresters. Watch for our review of the Forester Hybrid in the next few weeks.
If you have difficultly making decisions, you may be troubled by Subaru’s ten-trim-level Forester lineup, which includes hybrid variants of all but the entry-level base model, and the off-road-ready Wilderness. The roster looks like this:
- Base ($31,415)
- Premium ($33,730)
- Premium Hybrid ($36,415)
- Sport ($36,230)
- Sport Hybrid ($39,415)
- Wilderness ($36,415)
- Limited ($37,830)
- Limited Hybrid ($40,830)
- Touring ($41,715)
- Touring Hybrid ($43,115)
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2025 Forester Touring in River Rock Pearl. All told, including destination charge, our test vehicle came to $41,962.
Inside, the Forester still looks like a Subaru, which means the dash focus in on the large, vertically oriented touchscreen. As before, the touchscreen is easy to read and the icons displayed are easy to read at a glance.
Our sole connectivity issue is a Bluetooth connection that frequently dropped, forcing us to relink, at a cost of several minutes each time. That said, the Harman Kardon-brand audio system, standard on the Touring, lives up to the name, cranking out premium sound surprising in a vehicle in the price range.
The cabin, especially on topline Touring trim comes off as functional and premium—a nice improvement over the previous generation. Space, like before, is ample for the class, at the Forester will provide comfortable long-trip transportation for four adult. Additionally, despite a claimed 8.7-inches of ground clearance, getting into and out of the Foresters is easy enough. And, the conversation will be a little easier now, as the cabin is notably quieter than the 2024 model. More on this in a moment…
The updated 2.5-liter engine doesn’t feel appreciably different for 2025, but it does sound different. And if you’re an old-school Subaru loyalist, you may miss the grunty-purposeful motor growl that the brand is know for. Perhaps sadly(?) the updated engine sounds, well, refined, and does little grunting at low speed, or when passing or merging. The powerplant does produce enough power for reasonably quick getaways from a stop, and has enough power to enter onto freeways with little fuss.
Handling is class average, with some of the Forester’s spunky nimbleness gone for 2025. The compact Subaru still handles well, but it’s a little less sharp edged in corners, and the steering is more dull than communicative. This isn’t to say that there’s anything wrong with the Forester, it’s just that the overall commuting experience is a little softer for ’25.
Our observed fuel economy came in at around 23 mpg, a little disappointing for a small crossover, but our numbers were likely impacted the Chicago-typical winter temperatures that marked the Forester’s visit with Consumer Guide.
Normally, we wouldn’t bemoan a redesigned vehicle being quieter and better riding than its predecessor, but in this case, we rather miss the old Forester and its feisty attitude. But, that’s us. For shoppers looking to tap into Subaru’s excellent snow-and-foul-weather prowess, and its reputation for reliability and resale value, the 2025 Forester is easily the best example of the model yet.
Now a better long-trip small-family hauler, the Forester is compelling option for folks not entirely committed to purchasing a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. But if you’re looking for spunky handing and a little engine growl, well, time marches on.
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2025 Subaru Forester Touring Pictures
Click below for enlarged images