2025 Subaru Forester / Disrupting the Lineup!

The Subaru Forester is looking to change its reputation as the biggest box for the least amount of money. In the process, it has made its relation to the rest of the segment, and the Outback, a little closer. Is it good enough to justify itself over the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Nissan Rogue, VW Tiguan and a whole host of others? Let's find out.

Thank you, Jessica Smith, for your excellent performance in the intro!

@drivingsports Dirt/snow drive and review

Thank you, Royal on the Eastside, for letting me test drive a few Foresters for today's video!

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00:00 - 2025 Updates
01:48 - Interior
04:28 - Exterior
04:53 - Driving Impressions
08:34 - Reliability
09:30 - Final Thoughts

[lorenschwiderski]

The 2025 is said to drop the TCV in favor of the old tried and true thermostat. I saw one on the lot in a base level with dark gray metallic. First impression was that from the front it looked like a used SUV from the 1990's, minus any bling, as in no chrome. The interior bits, such as the black plastic door openers inside, look all too cheap. Maybe another color would help? Maybe the Sport model will add some excitement? You look at say a Toyota Venza interior and exterior, then the Forester in the same $37K range and have to wonder. For off road, and in snow, I get it, but I see many on the coast here which are never driven in harsh climate or roads, thus many other makes do compete. What happens should Honda dealership stop side-stickering the CRV, or Toyota Hybrids become reasonably priced? In base or premium levels, it looks like the Outback is more reasonably priced. And it is less bland.

[paulgemperlein]

I have a 2019 Crosstrek and Subaru is dead to me until that infotainment is improved

[lens]

Imagine if Subaru had more than 2 working brain cells and realizing 10 years has gone by while the UI still looks like a clunky Samsung Tablet running Android 2.0

[abubarista]

Lovin' the production and presentation bro! Keep it up

[enmass]

It’s a shame they won’t give the forester the FA24. It’s a pretty great engine in the other Subaru models.

[saraaronzon]

Best camera and driving experience on the planet!

[cyndiecityify]

Great video . I agree on the sport package . Sport looks the best on the forester for sure . 🙌🏻 I haven’t driven one yet but plan to soon . Thank you !

[raidersamson]

It is the same car I have except for a bigger radio screen and higher MSRP by 3k.

[HOON]

The best 2025 Forester buyers guide on youtube! Thanks for covering reliability.

Some thoughts from an SJ and SK owner.
Great: 1) New seats. 2) Lower trans starting ratio.

Good: 1) Same fuel economy. 2) Same fuel range 3) Same visibility 4) Quieter. 5) TCV gone.

Ok: Looks outdated and boring.

Bad: 1) CVT+ diffs are expensive to service. 2) Can't option the heated steering wheel on lower trims. 3) Can't option the 17" wheels on the upper trims. 4) No steering wheel paddles on lower trims mean you can't downshift for longer grades. 5) Needs 20 to 30 HP to match competition. 6) Should have bought Toyota's dual fuel injection setup to prevent carbon.

Terrible: 1) Price. Nicer CX-5 is currently running $3-4k less. 2) Approach angle is worse! 3) I would pay extra for redundant knobs.

[anthonyng]

Subaru listening to customer base:

Customers: We want the XT turbo back!
Subaru: You get bronze wheels with our NEW sport trim. It's surely far more sporty than the XT, what with sport in the name!
Customers: We want updates to the infotainment, physical HVAC buttons
Subaru: You get the EXACT same head unit as all our other cars now! Aren't you lucky you don't get tiny 7" screens now?
Customers: We want an affordable rugged vehicle that we can actually use overlanding without breaking the bank
Subaru: You get tiny roof rails to save on your gas. That counts as increasing affordability right? Oh, and you also get free upgrades to Ford Explorer front and rear styling. Oops, that'll be $3000 USD more, so not so free.

[kubbyellison]

Love that they switched it up. Looks great

[genzigzag]

That intro, Ouch! 😅 It would be great if they offered the turbo again.

[kenhoward]

"It retains the outward transparency of a dog who wants your food." Yes! This is the kind of information Subaru-lovers can relate to. I am impressed that you actually measured the dimensions of the cargo area, with rear seatback folded, in comparison to the '24, instead of simply repeating the manufacturer's cubic ft. claims. Also, additional points for *daring* to discuss reliability, and comparisons to the Mazda CX5 and Honda CR-V.

[normaninsandiego]

That ground clearance is impressive, but I think I would stick with the base Crosstrek. Another great informative review video.

[DougMacniven]

I see you're preparing for a new career as an action movie star!

[mjbucar]

Lack of power = D.O.A. (I have owned a Forester XT TURBO for years). Subaru had better start pulling some rabbits out of their hats with a MORE POWERFUL hybrid VERY shortly, or the rest of the world shall continue to pass them by!

[chuckwalla]

I'd bet they could've made the chassis 30% more rigid, but they saved that 20% for the next generation.

[toddmobby]

I drive 2015 fotester for 4 + years and 19-25 foresters looks terrible. And 180Ag is too small for such a car. Why i have to spoil my eyes for 7 years and see same dissaster at the back? My next car won't be subaru, even though i do many miles offroad.

[rodchris]

Why the bird on the windshield starting on the 25 Forester!

[MrApplesaucestuff]

nice ignition key plug subaru. will it cost 30 cents more to make a new piece?