2025 Subaru Forester Review: Real Costs and What Changed
The 2025 Subaru Forester is fully redesigned with a larger screen and updated safety tech. See all trim prices, EPA mpg, and first-year ownership costs.
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What It Is
The 2025 Subaru Forester arrives as a full fifth-generation redesign, the first major overhaul of the model since 2019. That matters because the Forester had started to feel dated against fresher rivals. Subaru addressed that directly with a new interior, a larger infotainment screen, and updated versions of its EyeSight driver assistance suite across more trim levels.
The Forester competes in the compact crossover segment, one of the most crowded and important categories in the American car market. Buyers here typically want practical space, decent fuel economy, and confidence in bad weather. Subaru has long leaned into that last point: all-wheel drive is standard on every Forester, which remains a rare offering at this price point and a genuine reason many buyers choose it over front-wheel-drive competitors.
The typical Forester buyer is practical above all else. They may live somewhere with real winters, or they spend time on unpaved roads. They want reliability, cargo space, and good visibility more than driving excitement. Subaru has built its entire brand identity around that customer, and the 2025 model continues to serve them directly.
Trims and Pricing
Subaru offers the 2025 Forester in five trim levels. Destination and handling charges add $1,320 to each price below. You can configure your own on the Subaru build-and-price page.
| Trim | Starting MSRP | Key Additions |
|---|---|---|
| Base | $30,290 | 11.6-inch touchscreen, EyeSight, AWD, 17-inch alloys |
| Premium | $33,090 | Heated front seats, power driver seat, blind-spot monitoring |
| Sport | $35,690 | Sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels, unique exterior trim |
| Limited | $38,590 | Leather seating, Harman Kardon audio, navigation, heated rear seats |
| Touring | $42,290 | DriverFocus distraction detection, 180-degree front camera, premium features |
All prices are MSRP before destination. Real transaction prices at dealers may vary.
Powertrain Options
The 2025 Forester uses a single powertrain across all trims: a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated flat-four engine producing 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with a continuously variable transmission and Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. There is no turbocharged option, no hybrid, and no plug-in variant for the 2025 model year.
The EPA rates the 2025 Forester at 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, for a combined rating of 29 mpg. You can verify those figures on fueleconomy.gov. Those numbers are competitive for the segment and represent a modest improvement over the outgoing model. The Forester requires regular 87-octane fuel.
For buyers hoping for a hybrid option, Subaru has not announced one for this generation yet. The Forester's main strength here is simplicity. The naturally aspirated engine has a long track record of reliability in previous generations.
Features and Technology
The biggest interior change for 2025 is the 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen, which replaces the smaller horizontal unit from the previous generation. It runs Subaru's updated STARLINK multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all trims. The interface responds well and the screen is large enough to read at a glance without squinting.
EyeSight driver assistance is standard across the entire lineup. This generation adds wider camera angles, which improves pedestrian detection, particularly at intersections. Adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and automatic emergency braking are all included. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert appear starting with the Premium trim.
Cargo space is one of the Forester's strongest practical arguments. The 2025 model offers 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 74.2 cubic feet with them folded. Those figures put it near the top of its class. The rear seats also offer a generous amount of leg room, which adult passengers in the back will actually notice.
Visibility is excellent. Subaru gave the Forester large windows and thin pillars, which makes it easier to see pedestrians and other vehicles around you. This sounds minor but becomes something you appreciate every time you park or navigate a busy intersection. It also earns its place in the safety conversation separate from any electronic aid.
The Touring trim adds DriverFocus, a camera-based system that monitors driver alertness and warns you if you appear distracted. It works, though some drivers find it intrusive. That is a personal call.
Safety Ratings
As of this writing, the 2025 Subaru Forester has not yet received full crash test ratings from NHTSA or a complete evaluation from the IIHS. Both organizations typically evaluate vehicles within the first year of a new model's sale. The previous generation Forester earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ status, and the updated EyeSight system's wider camera coverage suggests the 2025 model is positioned to perform well. Check both sites directly for updated results as they become available.
It is fair to say the Forester has one of the stronger safety track records in its segment based on historical ratings, but new-generation vehicles can sometimes surprise testers in either direction. Waiting for official 2025 results is reasonable before making safety the deciding factor.
What It Costs to Own
This estimate is based on the Sport trim at $35,690 plus $1,320 destination, for a total purchase price of approximately $37,010. This assumes a cash purchase with no financing costs added.
Depreciation: New vehicles typically lose between 15 and 22 percent of their value in the first year. For the Sport trim, that means an estimated loss of $5,550 to $8,140 in year one. Subaru vehicles historically hold their value better than the segment average, so the lower end of that range is a reasonable expectation.
Fuel: At 15,000 miles per year and a combined 29 mpg, the Forester uses approximately 517 gallons of fuel annually. At a national average of around $3.30 per gallon for regular unleaded, that works out to roughly $1,706 per year in fuel costs. This figure will shift with gas prices.
Insurance: Full coverage on a new vehicle in this price range typically costs $1,400 to $2,200 per year, depending on your location, driving record, and coverage choices. The Forester's strong safety history can work in your favor with some insurers. Get quotes before you buy.
Scheduled maintenance: Subaru recommends the first oil change and inspection at 6 months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first. Basic synthetic oil changes typically run $60 to $100 at a dealer. Subaru does not offer a complimentary maintenance program, so budget for this from day one.
Estimated total first-year cost: Combining the midpoint of depreciation ($6,845), fuel ($1,706), insurance midpoint ($1,800), and one maintenance visit ($80), a reasonable first-year estimate lands around $10,431. That figure does not include financing interest, taxes, registration fees, or any unexpected repairs.
Competition
Toyota RAV4: The RAV4 is the segment's best-selling vehicle, and for good reason. It offers a hybrid powertrain option that the Forester cannot match, and its fuel economy with the hybrid system is significantly better. The RAV4 also has more cargo volume. However, the Forester undercuts the RAV4 on base price, comes standard with AWD rather than making it an upgrade, and offers better outward visibility. Buyers who want a hybrid should probably choose the RAV4. Buyers who want AWD at a lower starting price and better sightlines should look at the Forester.
Honda CR-V: The CR-V is a strong all-around package with a turbocharged engine that delivers more responsive acceleration than the Forester's naturally aspirated unit. It also offers a plug-in hybrid variant called the CR-V PHEV. The Forester counters with more rear headroom, a simpler powertrain that many owners trust over time, and standard AWD without the need to select a higher trim or drivetrain upgrade. Drivers who want punchier power delivery will prefer the CR-V. Those who prioritize headroom and all-weather capability from the base model will find the Forester makes a better case.
Mazda CX-5: The CX-5 is the most driver-focused option in this group, with sharper steering and a more premium interior feel, particularly in upper trims. It looks better than the Forester by most measures. But the CX-5 lags on rear cargo space, charges more for AWD on some configurations, and its infotainment system uses a rotary controller that some buyers find frustrating compared to a touchscreen. The Forester is more practical. The CX-5 is more enjoyable to drive.
Bottom Line
Buy the 2025 Forester if you want a practical, no-drama compact crossover that comes with AWD as standard equipment, not as a checkbox upgrade. The new interior and larger screen addressed the most obvious weaknesses of the outgoing model. It hauls cargo, seats adults comfortably in the back, and gives you genuinely good visibility in a class where that quality has become rare. The naturally aspirated engine is not exciting, but it gets the job done and has a track record of longevity.
Pass on it if you want a hybrid, a plug-in option, or noticeably spirited performance. The Forester does not try to be sporty and does not pretend to be something it is not. If those things matter to you, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid or Honda CR-V PHEV will serve you better. But if your priorities are space, reliability, all-weather confidence, and a fair starting price, the 2025 Forester is one of the cleaner choices in the segment.
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