“Great lumbar support and seat comfort. Very roomy. Great trunk space. Wish it had a CD player.”
2025 Subaru Forester: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2025 Subaru Forester is an all-new sixth-generation design for the Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring trims. It is a split-year lineup, with Wilderness retaining the older design and hybrid versions arriving later in the model year.
About the 2025 Subaru Forester
Sixth-generation Forester, first year, with one exception: 2025 Wilderness is a previous-generation carryover sold alongside the redesigned model.
Subaru positions the Forester as a compact SUV for everyday life that does not give up bad-weather confidence or light-trail usefulness. The core pitch is simple: standard AWD, generous visibility, strong safety tech, useful cargo space, and long-term durability in a right-sized package. Compared with many rivals, Subaru leans hard on the fact that all-weather traction and meaningful ground clearance are standard, so the Forester feels more adventure-ready without becoming hard to live with as a daily family vehicle.
Premium is the practical middle trim, with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a panoramic moonroof, and heated front seats. Sport adds bronze-accented styling and easy-clean upholstery, while Touring emphasizes comfort and technology with ventilated front seats and a 360-degree camera. Wilderness remains the trail-focused model, with 9.2 inches of ground clearance, a front skid plate, and a 3,000-pound towing capacity.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
Subaru revised the gas model’s 2.5-liter engine, rated at 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. The first U.S.-market Forester Hybrid joined later in the model year in Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring forms.
Styling
Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring received a redesigned exterior and cabin. Sport gained a new bronze-accented appearance, while Wilderness kept the previous-generation body.
Safety
Redesigned models received updated EyeSight driver-assist hardware and software with a wider field of view. Sport also gained automatic emergency steering.
Tech
Most redesigned trims moved to an 11.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Touring added a 360-degree camera and smart rear-view mirror, while hybrid models gained a 12.3-inch digital gauge display.
Structural
The redesigned Forester uses a stiffer structure and has a quieter cabin. Wilderness remained on the previous-generation platform for 2025.
2025 Subaru Forester specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & 8-Spd Manual Mode / Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & 6-Spd Manual Mode | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & 8-Spd Manual Mode / Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & 6-Spd Manual Mode | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic / Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & 6-Spd Manual Mode | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & 8-Spd Manual Mode / Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & 6-Spd Manual Mode | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & 8-Spd Manual Mode |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas / Hybrid | Gas / Hybrid | Gas / Hybrid | Gas / Hybrid | Gas |
| MPG City | 26 mpg | 25–35 mpg | 26–35 mpg | 26–35 mpg | 25–35 mpg | 25 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 33 mpg | 32–34 mpg | 33–34 mpg | 33–34 mpg | 32–34 mpg | 28 mpg |
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 180–194 hp | 180–194 hp | 180–194 hp | 180–194 hp | 180 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 154–178 lb-ft | 154–178 lb-ft | 154–178 lb-ft | 154–178 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 3000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 74.4 cu-ft | 69.1 cu-ft | 69.1 cu-ft | 69.1 cu-ft | 69.1 cu-ft | 69.1 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 39.4 in | 39.4 in | 39.4 in | 39.4 in | 39.4 in | 39.4 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Hill Descent Control | ||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| 360 Camera | ||||||
| Traction Control | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | ||||||
| Privacy Glass | ||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||
| Roof Rails | ||||||
| Trailer Hitch Receiver | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Rear Air Conditioning | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||
| Rear Window Shades | ||||||
| Reclining Rear Seats | ||||||
| Remote Start | ||||||
| Remote Keyless Entry | ||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
Is every 2025 Subaru Forester redesigned?
No. The 2025 Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring use the new sixth-generation design, but the 2025 Wilderness retains the previous-generation body and platform for one more year.
Does the 2025 Subaru Forester have a hybrid version?
Yes. Subaru added its first U.S.-market Forester Hybrid later in the 2025 model year. It comes in Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring forms.
Is the 2025 Subaru Forester a major change from the 2024 model?
Yes, for most trims. The 2025 Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring have a redesigned body and cabin, a stiffer and quieter structure, updated safety technology, and new cabin tech. Wilderness is the exception because it carries over the older design.
What touchscreen does the 2025 Subaru Forester use?
Most redesigned 2025 Forester trims use an 11.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The redesigned Base has dual 7-inch screens, while the carryover Wilderness has an 8-inch touchscreen.
What makes the 2025 Forester Wilderness different from the redesigned trims?
The 2025 Wilderness keeps the older Forester design and focuses more heavily on trail use. It has 9.2 inches of ground clearance, a front skid plate, easy-clean upholstery, an off-road driving system with hill descent control, and a 3,000-pound towing capacity.
2025 Subaru Forester Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2025 Subaru Forester.
4.4
2025 Subaru Forester
(163 reviews)
“The Forester is a wonderful vehicle with superb safety features! However, you cannot open your garage door unless you attach a separate button.”
“The brand is reliable, has a good reputation and the newest and best of everything! You will not be disappointed!”
Sources
- subaru.com — trimComparison / 2025 / FOR
- subaru.com — About / Company News / Subaru Focuses Consumer Affordability Excellent Value Updated Pricing
- subaru.com — trimComparison / 2026 / FOR
- subaru.com — Brochures / 2025 / 2025 Forester Brochure 051524
- subaru.com — Gas / 2025 / Features
- subaru.com — Wilderness / 2026 / Features