New Subaru Forester (2025 - )

Since its launch in 1997, the Subaru Forester has been a mainstay of the motoring world, with more than five million vehicles sold globally and over 400,000 cars shifted in Europe alone. The 2025 iteration keeps momentum by mixing refinement with ruggedness to become the perfect companion for adventure. 

The new Forester has been redesigned to express its all-weather performance with cleaner, simpler, and more subtle styling. The vehicle offers improved drivability and increased on and off-road capability over the earlier model. 

It matches Subaru's iconic symmetrical, always-on, all-wheel drive system to an enhanced edition of the company's renowned handcrafted e-Boxer mild-hybrid power unit. It also boasts an improved X-mode terrain selection system and class-leading 220mm ground clearance. 

The Forester offers three trim levels: Limited, Field, and Touring. The test subject here is the £42,995 top-of-the-line Touring model, which is attractive with its glossy blacked-out exterior trim and 19-inch alloy wheels. 

Indeed, the Subaru impresses with its new looks at first glance. The front grille adds a sense of width and solidity, capped by slender signature lights and blackout headlamps that give it a contemporary feel. Fresh LED cornering lights also increase night-time visibility by lighting up the front of the vehicle while turning, helping you spot potential obstructions sooner.

The side is defined by sleek lines interrupted only by pleasingly sculpted wheel arches that accommodate attractive alloy wheels, contributing to the Forester’s robust appearance.

The large-opening tailgate provides a spacious cargo area, which we'll discuss further in a bit. Plus, details, such as a hummingbird design on the windscreen and paw prints on the door trim, contribute to the Subaru's lively personality.

The new Forester comes with an 11.6-inch Full HD infotainment touchscreen with a resolution of 1920x1080 to improve the usability of its features and controls. The driver’s display with all the instrumentation behind the wheel is far smaller, though. It could do with being a tad bigger - but it’s not a dealbreaker. 

The infotainment system has increased connectivity through the now common wireless compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - and an improved navigation system compatible with what3words. This last feature is so handy as it pinpoints where you want to go every time. In fact, what3words is so bang on that the emergency services use it - and they want us, the public, to use it more, too.

One negative issue is that while the infotainment system works well, the screen is far too reflective, creating glare. Luckily, in a bid to maintain minimum distracted driving, there are physical switches for functionalities like the heating, which is safer than looking for everything buried in the touchscreen. 

For additional convenience on the road, a 10W quick wireless charger is installed in the centre tray, and front and rear occupants also enjoy Type-C and Type-A charging ports. That choice is handy - especially if you've got passengers with older phones or devices (with associated older cables) they want to plug in. 

The 2025 Forester is also equipped with a range of safety features, including an upgraded version of EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. The system now offers 15 functions, five of which are new and seven of which have been revamped. The use of a wider-angle monocular camera enables the system to recognise two-wheeled vehicles and pedestrians in a broader area around the car. Furthermore, a front radar has improved the recognition performance of the EyeSight technology. 

An incredibly responsive electric brake booster provides quicker braking control, too, ensuring the EyeSight system operates more effectively in an even wider range of conditions.

As mentioned in the intro, the next-generation Forester continues to have its all-wheel drive system, which is now combined with a specially created e-Boxer mild-hybrid power unit. 

The Subaru’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine delivers smooth acceleration and torque. Unfortunately, the Forester is not a car that’s in a hurry to get to 62mph. It does so in 12.2 seconds, which is kind of fine for a family car - but not so great if you’re a secret Lewis Hamilton once you’ve dropped the kids off. The Lineartronic Continuously variable transmission (CVT) is rowdy when pushed, too. 

On the plus side, the Subaru’s X-mode is ideal for going off the tarmac - and has settings for stuff like mud and snow. It is great if you live in the sticks, or you’re caught in Storm Zebedee (or whatever the next one will be called) and are suddenly faced with what the weather throws under your wheels. And if you’re built for comfort, not speed (like me and the Forester), you’ll be glad that the front seats are designed to minimise fatigue and maximise comfort during long drives. The cabin also offers class-leading quietness thanks to active acoustic engineering. This serves to create a serene environment.

Getting technical, the double-pinion electric power steering is tuned to give you precise control over the Subaru. The result is a direct, natural steering response with no lag. The brake pedal design has also been optimised for improved handling precision and control.
 

Inside, the Forester prioritises space and comfort. Thanks to its flowing 3D architecture, the cabin is tastefully designed to feel light and airy. Functionally, the 2025 Forester boasts an impressive 508 litres of boot space, expandable to 1,720 litres when needed. Features like the hands-free powered tailgate with a kick sensor simplify loading and unloading - perfect for those with a toddler clinging to one hand while shopping bags are in the other. 

If you haven't been in that situation, try it. It is stressful, and small things like not being able to open the car's boot can tip a tired parent over the edge. Perhaps it's a bit dramatic to say that, but being able to open a tailgate by kicking your foot by it can make life seem just that bit brighter on high-pressure days. 

Anyway, the Subaru's cargo area is more than enough for a load of shopping for the family and a baby's buggy - and it's hearse-like in space with the seats folded. It will be excellent for tip runs or trips to collect flat-pack furniture from home furnishing stores. 

The Forester will seat five-up, no problem - unless you're doing the tip run or on that furniture-collecting mission. The front and rear legroom is excellent, with a six-footer easily sliding behind the chair of another similarly tall occupant. Headroom is okay - just not quite so generous as the legroom, but where there’s a negative, you’ll always find a positive with the Subaru. The plus here is the square-shaped boot and the low loading lip.
 

The redesigned Forester’s permanent symmetrical all-wheel drive and specially engineered e-Boxer mild-hybrid powertrain manage the power split between the electric motor and engine through seamless switching between three driving modes: Engine, EV, and Motor Assist. 

This versatility enhances fuel efficiency according to driving conditions. It is a good job it helps fuel efficiency as the Forester only manages 34.9mpg as it is - officially. That said, 36mpg showed on the display after driving two-up on mixed test roads - but that’s still not in fuel-sipping territory. 

All Subaru Crosstreks have a factory warranty of three years or 60,000 miles. The traction battery has an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty. Maintenance intervals are every 12,000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first.

The new Forester is not a car I’d kick to the kerb in a hurry. But that’s because I have three kids - and I like the fact it has so much safety loaded into it. The fuel efficiency isn't all that, and the Subaru isn't fast - but the off-road ability is appealing, as is the spaciousness in the cabin and the practical load area. 

The price could do with coming down a bit, too, but fundamentally, this is a good car. Perhaps family-oriented rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson make more sense, but the 2025 Subaru Forester impresses in many ways. 

Plus, despite selling in decent quantities around the world, the model isn’t considered particularly common in the UK compared with other cars - and that’s appealing. Clearly, Subaru wants to change that, and only time will tell if this sixth-generation Forester becomes the most popular version ever.