2025 Subaru Forester BASE | Review and 0-60

Welcome back guys!! Here's my review video of the 2025 Subaru Forester Base trim level!
It's still rocking a 2.5 boxer with symmetrical AWD and of course a CVT. No manual or turbo currently offered but a Hybrid should be coming out in about a year as well as the 2025 Forester Wilderness soon!! I'll also have reviews of the Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring soon! And POV driving reviews of each!!

Like, comment, subscribe, and take care!

Dealer link below 👇

00:00 Intro
00:48 Walk Around and Specs
07:16 Driver Side Interior
11:37 Hatch and Cargo Area
12:37 Passenger Side Interior
13:16 Engine
14:29 Initial Driving Impressions
17:33 0-60 on GPS
18:10 Final Thoughts

[josephpanozzo]

I’m happy a base model is being reviewed.

[nighthawkvca]

Thanks for covering the Base trim! It looks like you're the first to cover the 2025 Base on YouTube.
This definitely helped with confirming there's a dual screen instead of the 11.6 inch, but is there really no lighting in the rear cargo area at all? (12:12). Is the LED in the tailgate (12:27) standard or optional on the Forester?
And yes, the new mic sounds great (8:09).

[NGMonocrom]

I like it. Far from a cheap Penalty Box. I could definitely live with one.
Though as usual in the industry, most affordable version is the hardest to find.

[jasonm]

Finally…
Someone FINALLY did a review on the ‘25 base models.
I got my fill of YouTubers reviewing the sport, premium and touring models.
It’s finally reassuring to see someone do a full and honest review of the base model.
Now, with that being said..
I’ll stick with my ‘24 base model.
Don’t get me wrong, the ‘25’s are a very good looking vehicle, but I feel like mine has a look all in its own.
It has a look that most people say, that it’s boxy and has a unique design, this model (even though I like it) does look like a Ford Explorer.
The new model took 2 hp away, but added 2 tq.
You can get this model with only 4 speakers.
You can’t even add the optional 2 tweeters that you could on the outgoing model.
The radio is just weird and outta place in my opinion (should have carried over the base radio from ‘24).
Ok, you added a rear lift gate spoiler as standard equipment and yes, I do love the wheels on this model as opposed to my optional wheels that I have on mine.
Don’t care for the crosstrek center console (love mine more).
So is the new price worth it?
I guess.
Would love to see it $1000 cheaper.
You are essentially paying for a bit more, but at the same time, a bit less.
If the price would have been around $28, 500-$29, 000, even $29, 500, then ok.
I can’t justify (me personally) spending $31k after everything and that’s even before you put some optional toys on it.
And at that point, you might as well go next trim level up.
But hey, this will sell, because the market is there more than the other trim levels.
Yes those sell well too, but not hand over fist as the base models that get overlooked so much.
Happy shopping everyone.✌🏼

[larrycolvin]

The best thing about Subaru base models is no high gloss black plastic!

[gnsofir]

Excellent review as usual .. are you able yet to comment on the wind & road noise and/ or engine/ CVT noise of this model vs. the previous one?

[davestadt]

Looking good, but the Base level should have tinted glass and privacy glass in the rear doors & rear hatch.😮😮 Currently I own an 22 Equinox, but I'm really interested in the Forrester base. Premium trim is nice but I don't like Sunroofs.

[alyankovsky]

No blind spots, not even a flip key ( old school key. I liked my 2023 Mazda CX-5 better with standard blind spots monitor and push start base for $26750 .

[harishrp]

Awesome video dude, that blue looks dope. Can we do Base model without those King Kong roof rails?

[AJSparacio]

Good honest review. This no frills trim is a great value and looks really good! Personally I would get a loaded Touring trim for the extra amenities but that is just me! LOL 😂

[Moondoggy]

0:43 Posting the price under the first minute of the review. Yeah one of my favorite reviewers.

[RedRecaro]

Please do a review of the 2025 Forester Base performance on snow and mud. Thank you.

[louispaxton]

Would prefer with dark colored interior trim. Off white will take frequent cleaning. I don't like roof racks but the alloy wheels and roof, I think, are option packaged together. I would pass on those, I guess. Otherwise, all you need! Good, honest review!

[Turtle_Two]

In another video, you mentioned that the first thing you do is turn off the auto start/stop feature. I must have missed that in this video. Is there a hard key for that, or is it buried in the on-screen menu? I didn't see any switches over the left knee other than the headlight panel dimmer.

Sure would be nice if there was a way to turn it off for 100 start cycles or something longer term but not quite so long to conflict with the spirit of intended reduction in fuel comsumption.

[gregdamitz]

Going to rent a 2025 Premium in 2 weeks to cement that the car is comfortable for a 6'4" person, that it's quiet inside and there's plenty of room for my dog box. Wish they would have kept the Rockford Fosgate speaker option for $500. Not paying $1700 for the Harmon Kardon option. Already got a great quote on the Sport I want to order. If the trip goes well we will be giving our 2006 Forester to our son.

[jimmyj]

So is it possible to get a black interior on the base model? Or do I have to step up to the premium for the black interior?

[Motortiger]

What options are you getting on your premium? If you don’t mind answering how much discount did you get? Are you trading in your Outback?

[chuckwalla]

Without the X-MODE, is the AWD system all that useful on the base model?

[bjsimon]

dealers are overcharging, in Canada they sell the crosstrek as high as 47g

[jimmyj]

Did you say that the base model speakers don't sound very good?