Redesigned 2025 Subaru Forester Stays the Course, Gets Enhanced Tech Features

Competes with: Ford Bronco Sport, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass, Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4

Looks like: Subaru is sticking with what works; the new Forester retains the same overall profile and virtually the same dimensions as its predecessor

Powertrain: 180-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine; continuously variable automatic transmission; all-wheel drive

Hits dealerships: Spring 2024

Subaru unveiled the redesigned 2025 Forester at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show, kicking off the sixth generation of the popular five-seat compact SUV. Along with the subcompact Crosstrek (which was redesigned for 2024) and mid-size Outback SUVs, the Forester is one of Subaru’s bestselling models, and it’s clear that the company didn’t want to mess too much with a good thing.

Related: More 2023 L.A Auto Show Coverage

The new Forester’s overall dimensions and shape are almost identical to the outgoing model’s, and the powertrain is essentially the same, too. The most noteworthy updates are the availability of Subaru’s latest infotainment system and a foot-activated hands-free power liftgate, along with structural improvements that Subaru says enhance ride quality and dynamic performance.

Exterior Updates

The new Forester is recognizable at a glance, carrying over the characteristic boxy shape, tall roofline and generous 8.7 inches of ground clearance of the previous-generation model, but several new styling details provide a bolder, more modern appearance. A larger, blacked-out grille is integrated with compact LED headlights and slim daytime running lights, which gives the front end a slightly more aggressive look. The grille also sports an updated version of Subaru’s star-cluster emblem. The beltline appears to be lower, with a sharper, more straight-edged shape than before, and the wheel openings adopt an unusual trapezoid-like shape. Out back, a full-width trim bar on the liftgate visually ties the taillights together and gives the rear end a wider look.

Interior Updates

The 2025 Forester’s interior and dashboard layout will look very familiar to the owners of earlier Foresters, but there are a number of upgrades and new features — most prominently with the infotainment system. Standard on the base model are dual 7-inch touchscreens, and newly available is an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen, which is the same basic setup the Crosstrek and Outback already offer. This step-up system includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (in place of the previous wired connectivity) and a wireless charging pad, along with available built-in navigation with what3words integration that assigns three words for designated locations. Also newly available are a 360-degree camera and a gesture-control capability that allows the driver to adjust the climate-control system temperature via hand gestures.

Subaru says the new Forester’s architecture is 10% stiffer in torsional rigidity, improving ride comfort and cabin quietness. In keeping with the brand’s focus on outdoor adventures, Subaru says the dashboard trim is designed to avoid visible damage from everyday use, and the dark headliner hides scuffs from loading and unloading passengers and cargo (like, say, a mountain bike or camping gear).

The Forester’s cargo capacity grows just a smidge to 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 74.4 cubic feet with the 60/40-split rear seatbacks folded, according to Subaru’s measurements. The helpfully wide liftgate opening and low load floor height are carried over, too. Newly standard are eight heavy-duty utility hooks in the cargo area — three on each cargo wall and two on the liftgate — which can serve as hanging points or tie-downs for lifestyle accessories. The previously available power liftgate gains available hands-free functionality via a foot-activated kick sensor, and the top-of-the-line Touring trim can now be had with ventilated front seats (in addition to heated front seats).

On the safety front, Subaru says the Forester’s EyeSight driver-assistance technology has been improved via sensors with a wider field of view, updated control software and the addition of an electric brake booster. Emergency Stop Assist is a new standard feature that can automatically bring the vehicle to a stop, activate the hazard lights and unlock the doors if the driver becomes unresponsive to warnings when using adaptive cruise control.

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Specs, Trim Levels Mostly Hold Steady

As before, the Forester’s lone powertrain choice — at least for now — is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. It’s now rated at 180 horsepower, down 2 hp from the previous model’s rating. Subaru says a hybrid powertrain is slated to be added to the Forester lineup within a year of the new model’s launch but didn’t supply any specifications.

Base, Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring trim levels carry over, and all-wheel drive continues to be standard. The Premium trim gets a version of Subaru’s X-Mode off-road driving system with hill descent control, while the Sport and higher trims upgrade to a dual-function X-Mode system. The off-road-fortified Wilderness variant, which debuted for the 2022 model year, will return to the Forester lineup in the future.

Pricing and Release Date

The 2025 Subaru Forester is scheduled to arrive in dealerships in spring 2024. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

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