Top Likes, Dislikes from 2025 Subaru Forester First Drive

Our Managing Editor Jill Ciminillo recently got a chance to check out the 2025 Subaru Forester. She takes it for a drive as well and tells you her top likes and dislikes.

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[chrisb]

I wish they would offer the 2.4 Turbo in the Forester as a new XT, or the 1.8 Turbo from the Japan Forester with a Toyota Hybrid system.

[ericg]

Loved the video, but almost spit my drink out laughing when she said "just get the top of the line; how much does $10, 000 add to your monthly note?".
would be $277 more per month in additional payment if you carry the note for 3 years, plus interest. $208 more per month if you extend it to 4 years, and $167 more a month if you finance it for 5 years, according to a quick search on Yahoo Finance. Yikes!
This is why the average car note in 2024 is $726 per month for 5 years. Thanks, but no thanks.
How long will it take at your job to save $40k and pay cash for the car, vs $30k? That's the question she should have asked but people don't seem to care.

[DennisPanek-jb]

I have owned 5 Subaru cars and look forward to having one of these next year. I do not need to go 60 in O seconds. Also the looks are very refined and not as ugly as other cars ie Kia or Hyundai. UGH!

[jstephens]

The lack of power is the deal breaker for me. Either the 2.4 turbo or the Toyota hybrid system would work.

[Jim-utbz]

Is there still a compass in the rear view mirror?

[jimhouse]

Had a 2015 Forester and traded up to a 2017 Forester. Both good cars but found the front seat depth lacking to the point that long drives became really uncomfortable. Traded the 2017 in for a new 2021 VW Tiguan SEL. Deeper seats, a great 8 speed automatic transmission providing much greater torque, and more cargo space really substantiated the brand change.

[kenfrank]

I'm glad I watched your video. I didn't know the stop/start feature was included. If it's turned off then the fuel economy will decrease from 26/33 mpg. Now I'm not sure the Forester is a car for me.

[MarcoGallo-udqd]

I love your videos. The only thing I’m not thrilled with is telling people that adding $10, 000 for the top-of-the-line one won’t add a lot to the payment. It would add a lot of money through the payment but you can afford people if you can afford the top-of-the-line one, get it if you can’t then get it less trim. It’s a good vehicle regardless what you get if you like the car overall you can afford keep up the great work though.

[antoniolepore]

The take rate for the old Forester Turbo was not high. The issue with the old Turbo was it used Premium fuel.
Put the 2.4 liter turbo from the Outback in it (using regular fuel) and it will sell.
Do you think Subaru will ever put the Outback Turbo in the Forester?

[waynerice]

Hi Jill Great review. My wife is 4ft 11 and she has a problem finding a vehicle that fit her comfortably and you look the same size as my wife and this Subaru Forester looks very comfortable. I don't know if you know of another vehicle is good for my wife size. My wife likes something that is Truckee. Always like Subaru vehicles. Thanks for the great review.

[connor]

Correction: The Premium level has cloth seats and the Sport model has faux leather.

[morgankid]

Does Subaru plan to bring back the best model of the Forester, the Forester XT Turbo and when?

[MP-niel]

The Sport model has Star Tek material on the seats. Imitation leather and waterproof.

[tomdfrog]

Would like to see that fancy rear view camera in the rain. I know my 2015 and 2020 Outback are always mucked by rain droplets hanging on the camera.
I bought my Outback because of the 2.4l Turbo. The 2.5l is just too pokie...especially for passing!

[wisdomdelight]

Any option for light interior on the 2025? I don’t want dark interior. It feels small and claustrophobic.

[sansin]

I don't understand why most reviewers never bother to test Subaru's very competent EyeSight Lane following system.

[dustinryan]

I occasionally look into Subaru’s because of their reputation for reliability, but every time I do, I remember why I don’t own one. They need to get with the times and update their line up badly.

[CRVgarage]

Does blind spot system beep on the new Forester to alert the driver??
Honda, mazda, hyundai, kia, chevy offer the audible beep.

[ksorsomeplace]

Now see, I'd rather not have all that useless tech, but I want the leather and upgraded interior bits. Sadly, they don't allow that either. I have no need for a luggage rack. It's in the road when washing the vehicle and hate the bland and cheap black finish. Yeah, the performance should be an option as well and not keyed to trim....

[amnonkahanov]

First of all - thank you for a very
comprehensive review.
Is the acceleration of the 2025 model worse than of the 2024 model and the same question about the quality of the seats, comfort wise.
Thank you !