2025 Subaru Forester HYBRID | Testing Review and 0-60

Welcome back guys!! Here’s my driving review of the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid (Limited).

What are your thoughts of this compact crossover that competes against the 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, and the 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid?

Dealer link 👇

[harrahphotoman]

We bought a 25 Forester Touring in Nov. 2024 and absolutely love this vehicle. It is a pleasure to drive and I look forward to every trip in it.

[JavierSerraltaSanMartin]

So much more confortable than rav4 and the rest.. great seats for your back and fantastic suspension.. runs over bumps.. holes.. best car in 2025.. just needs a spare wheel and ready to enjoy and lay back

[ronkemperful]

I am glad that you finally got your hands on the hybrid version. Presently I am weighing in on the possibility of buying a hybrid version of something, as the gas prices are around 4$ per gallon on the Oregon coast.

[gerardhaines]

I won't repeat my comments from your first review video, but this is encouraging -- thank you!!

[EJGentleman]

Honda ditch the spare as well, though you can buy one in the CRV. I do not think it is that major not having the spare. In fact, I found several older (2020) Foresters owners removed the spare, got a full sized tire, and rear mounted, which to me for off-road, really looks great. I do think the Subaru should make a spare in the long run. Just picked up my Forester Hybrid and so far really like it. I had a Forester before, then an Outback. I prefer the more SUV seating in the Forester. We also have an Ascent which I really love. I really like the Forester hybrid and is very comfortable. It is in the Sport Trim and driving and handling is excellent for a cross over. The Toyota RAV 4 is good, however, I am not fond of what is to me a crowded interior.

[mjc]

Seems so reasonable to upgrade to Hybrid for $1500! Premium is my favorite trim, just enough safety features but not overly complicated. Hybrid should just be standard on all cars as a bridge to full electric, if our infrastructure can ever support that! My consistent gripe is the big screen TV in the console. What a distraction! Got my 2023 Forester Premium in order to avoid it!
Cheers, Michael Albuquerque NM USA

[jparker]

The dealership can always make the 25 Forester seats warmer with a firmware update. Personally, I like the lower settings from the factory, but it's subjective and a pretty easy fix. The TH2B "eCVT" is about 30% Toyota. Subaru went with a much more complicated and pretty much unserviceable version, but reliability should be better than the TR580 if driven aggressively.

[equalheatiscool]

I don’t like how the gas tank is on the passenger side instead of the driver’s side. I like that there’s no spare just because Subaru, being known for intentional design (except where they put the gas tank), came up with an alternative that doesn’t force the user to empty the trunk. I imagine it’s easier to use a fixafy kit than a spare tire. Also I like how because it’s a hybrid, unlocking the car does not automatically give everyone around the car access to the gas tank. It is only when the gas tank is depressurized when everyone has access to the gas tank, but by then, the driver is probably on their way to fill up the tank and make sure no one pours anything except gas in the tank. Another reason I prefer the hybrid over the non-hybrid is because the hybrid has a digital gauge cluster, which is more versatile than an analog gauge cluster by design.

[tonycoz]

The lack of spare tyre (space saver even) could be a deal breaker for the outdoorsy image the Forester has.

[jodyc]

Been stalking all the videos on the hybrid system. I’m waiting for the Crosstrek hybrid myself

[gamachez]

There is a setting in the central screen to change the gadge cluster view including one with the map !

[iwejun]

Now if they could tweak the lane keeping so it doesn’t wobble down the lane, just subtle wiggles going down the freeway is bothersome. I just bought a Touring model and then went in with our daughter and she bought the model level down that still had a heated steering wheel. They need to offer that option on more models.

[ronr]

Very nice looking hybrid Forester, I own a new 2024 natural aspirated 2.5 L engine Touring model and very impressed with its performance so far. Because I live in Northern Canada I bought a new complete set of Michelin all weather Cross climate 2 tires and they are very good in snow, slush, wet roads and just normal handling(very happy don't need 2 sets of tires) + sold my almost brand new Bridgestone Ecopia tires that came with my Forester for $500.00, they are also a nice tire but not a winter tire. Good to see the Forester hybrid in action and it is perfect for city driving also because the increase in gas mileage is a plus I think you gain some horse power with a hybrid usually.
I mostly highway drive in my remote town so no need for the hybrid yet. If your not into racing or pulling small trailers the turbo is not needed IMO. The hybrid might give a better towing weight possibly because of power to wheels in design I'm curious.?

[adamblakeley]

Could be just my imagination but it almost seems to me that the seats on my Crosstrek get hotter when it’s colder outside. Almost like they are linked to the outside temperature gauge some how. I have fake leather seat covers on my front seats and they are pretty thick and I can still feel the heat through those. And they get hot enough for me to have to put them on the low setting at times when it’s super cold outside.

[ThePatrik]

Good review. I'm in Ireland and a RAV4 owner, I've been eyeing up the Forester hybrid but I'm not sure if it's coming to Ireland Subaru won't reply to my question.

[peanut-zb]

Is it my imagination, but do the seats lie less flat in the hybrid vs gas version?

[chettlar]

If you have a map set on your phone already and you turn the car on, how quickly does the infotainment start up and display the map? Or do you have to do something to get it to every time? I'm thinking of potentially getting one and also using it for gig work.

[ozerserkan]

Due to high taxes here, we can order with 2.0 engine non_hybrid. The power is a concern in my mind. What do you think or expect from a 2.0 + hybrid version against the one you drive. Thank you

[starletsg]

other channel said this is a ecvt from toyota? which is correct?

[gsctht]

What is the green ready light for? It's always on. Just to tell you you're car is on?