There’s a reassuring quality to a vehicle that feels like an extension of your lifestyle—ready for errands, weekend plans, and unexpected detours without missing a beat. The 2025 Subaru Forester delivers exactly that blend: a thoughtfully designed compact SUV that combines roomy interior space, confident all-wheel-drive traction, and driver-focused technology. This latest iteration deepens its roots in practicality and comfort without sacrificing the adventurous spirit Forester owners have come to love.

Climb inside, and one of the first things you’ll notice is how open and natural the cabin feels. Large windows and expansive sightlines give passengers a sense of connection with the surroundings, whether you’re in the city or exploring backcountry trails. The dashboard is designed with clean lines and intuitive control placement—knobs for climate, simple buttons for drive modes, and easy access to touchscreen menus. Seats are supportive and well-contoured, offering over 9-litre cushion depth and heating options in higher trims—perfect for relaxing drives or brisk mornings. Rear passengers enjoy surprising legroom, and the generous cargo area literally accommodates weekend gear with nearly 1400 litres available when the rear seats fold flat.

Under the hood, every Forester comes standard with Subaru’s naturally aspirated 2.5‑litre BOXER four‑cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb‑ft of torque. While peppy in normal driving, it shines when climbing hills or merging onto highways thanks to its broad torque window. Instead of a CVT, the Forester uses a Lineartronic transmission re-tuned for this engine, with simulated shifts and a manual mode—giving a more connected feel when you push the accelerator. The engine’s horizontally opposed layout keeps weight centred low, helping the Forester feel stable and confident around corners and on rough roads.

A hallmark of Subaru, the symmetrical all-wheel-drive system is standard across the Forester lineup. It ensures torque is sent to all four wheels continuously, improving grip whether you’re driving in rain, light snow, or gravel. Models equipped with the Wilderness or Touring trim add an X‑Mode terrain selector, enhancing low-speed traction and downhill control. Ground clearance remains at around eight inches, enough to comfortably clear most urban, rural, and mild off-road obstacles. Drive modes also adjust throttle behaviour and transmission control, allowing for fuel-saving Eco, standard Normal, or more responsive Sport settings.

Subaru’s commitment to safety continues with this Forester, outfitted with EyeSight driver assist on automatic models. This system layers adaptive cruise control, lane-trace steering assist, pre-collision braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and lane departure warning. Additions for higher trims include reverse automatic braking, blind-spot detection with lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver fatigue alert system that monitors alertness over long drives. The windshield also features acoustic laminate glass, reducing highway wind noise and contributing to the Forester’s reputation as a quieter-than-expected cabin.

Connectivity and infotainment have also been upgraded for 2025. A standard 11.6-inch touchscreen runs Subaru’s new STARLINK interface—with crisp graphics, improved responsiveness, and integrated apps. Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included on base models, while wireless versions are available for higher trims. All versions feature a high-resolution 11.3-inch digital instrument panel that places speed, feed-in information, fuel economy, and navigation prompts directly ahead, minimizing distraction. USB‑C ports are now standard in both front and rear rows, and higher trims add wireless charging and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system for rich, immersive sound.

When it comes to ride and handling, the Forester feels composed and balanced. The MacPherson front and double-wishbone rear suspension have been refined for better damping and improved steering feedback. The result is a smooth, absorbing ride over potholes and speed bumps, paired with minimal body roll and predictable cornering. The Steering Response system tunes feedback and effort based on speed and driving conditions, so it feels light and precise in the city and taut when you’re winding through curves.

Exterior updates for 2025 give the Forester a more modern and rugged look. The front fascia now features a wider grille and sharper LED Headlights with Automatic High Beams, while rear lighting includes LED taillights. Steel or aluminium roof rails are standard across the range, and the Wilderness trim adds stainless steel underbody panels and exclusive alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres—emphasizing the Forester’s adventure-ready stance.

What makes the 2025 Forester stand out is how it merges everyday usability with serious capability. It delivers the space for your life—kids, pets, gear, and all—while carrying the off-road credibility that Subaru is known for. Whether you’re loading sedans for a school drive, heading to a cottage with family bikes, or just appreciating a composed, quiet cabin on your commute, the Forester strikes the right balance between comfort and readiness. It’s a compact SUV that feels bigger, safer, and smarter—ready to take you, and everything you carry, wherever you need to go.

Click the button below to learn more about the 2025 Subaru Forester and discover which trim is perfect for your adventures.

Please Note: The details of this article were accurate at the time it was written. Manufacturers may change the details of any vehicle’s specifications at any time without notice.