Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid
Specs
Class: Compact Crossover
Nation of Manufacture: Japan
Coloration: Autumn Inexperienced Metallic
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 188
Actual-world gasoline financial system: 35.4 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | B |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Financial system | A |
| Worth | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not replicate Client Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A- |
| Tall Man | A |
| Massive & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 194-horsepower 2.5-liter |
| Engine Sort | 4-cyinder hybrid |
| Transmission | CVT computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 35/34/35 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas sort: Common gasoline
Base worth: $41,695 (not together with $1420 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Particular paint ($495)
Worth as examined: $43,610
Audio-System Model
Harman Kardon
Audio-System High quality
Poor Honest Good Very-Good Wonderful
Execs and Cons
The good: Confirmed foul-weather potential, roomy cabin, glorious gasoline financial system
The great: Up to date inside feels extra upscale
The not so good: Too refined? Some basic Subaru character appears lacking
Overview
You’ll typically learn within the description of a Subaruthat it is likely one of the carmaker’s most-popular fashions. And whereas that declare is probably going true, it’s essential to know that Subaru sells three fashions that aren’t solely common, however carry out in shut proximity to one another when it comes to gross sales.
By means of June of 2025, these are the three most-popular Subaru fashions:
- Forester (compact crossover) 95,972 gross sales
- Crosstrek (subcompact crossover): 90,334
- Outback (compact crossover/midsize automotive) 73,257
The fourth best-selling Subie, the Ascent midsize crossover, hardly blips on the gross sales chart compared to the model’s massive three, coming in at simply 21,479 models bought for a similar interval.
Subaru’s different fashions (BRZ, Impreza, Legacy, WRXand the electrical Bachelor) mixed for simply 17,669 gross sales by way of June. So, when a mannequin is described as certainly one of Subaru’s best-selling autos, we’re speaking a couple of crossover (they’re all crossovers) that’s instrumental to the maker’s U.S. presence.
And, when a kind of three core fashions is redesigned, it’s a extremely massive deal. Enter the 2025 Forester, a Subaru mannequin that has not solely been redesigned, however has been made obtainable with a hybrid drivetrain for the primary time. Foreshadow: It’s a extremely good hybrid powertrain.
The 2025 replace contains contemporary inside and exterior styling, up to date connectivity options, and, as famous above, an obtainable hybrid setup.
Whereas the conventionally powered 2025 Forester is obtainable in a beneficiant array of six trim rangeshybrid variants are restricted to 4. Right here’s the lineup:
- Premium ($38,015)
- Sport ($41,015)
- Restricted ($42,430)
- Touring ($44,715)
The extra price for going hybrid runs between $1700 and $3500 relying on trim stage. Observe, too, that the Wilderness trim stage for 2025 relies on the previous-generation Forester. It is going to be up to date for 2026, and isn’t anticipated to be obtainable in hybrid guise.
The up to date Forester’s normal engine is essentially unchanged. That powertrain pairs a 180-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT-style computerized transmission. Hybrid fashions make use of a model of the identical engine mated to a pair of electrical motors for a mixed 194 horsepower. A CVT computerized can also be a part of the hybrid setup. All Foresters come normal with Subaru’s branded Symmetrical AWD.
Observe: Subaru turned to Toyota for assist in growing a hybrid system for the Forester, with attention-grabbing outcomes. Whereas AWD Toyota fashions (suppose RAV4) make use of electrical motors on the rear axle to realize the specified torque distribution, Subaru selected to make use of its personal AWD systemincorporating a conventional switch case, drive shaft, and axles. The results of this effort is a hybrid Forester that includes the automobile’s well-known snow and dust functionality, however considerably diminished gasoline financial system. In comparison with an AWD RAV4 Hybrid, the Forester returns gasoline financial system roughly 2 mpg decrease. We predict the gasoline financial system tradeoff is definitely worth the effort, and recognize Subaru staying true to its heritage.
Client Information just lately spent a while behind the wheel of a 2025 Subaru Forester Touring in Autumn Inexperienced Metallic. Together with the vacation spot cost, our take a look at automobile got here in at $43,610. That determine represents about all the cash you may spend on a brand new Forester, not together with comparatively inexpensive dealer-installed equipment.
Inside, the Forester nonetheless appears like a Subaru, which suggests the sprint focus in on the big, vertically oriented touchscreen. As earlier than, the touchscreen is simple to learn and the icons displayed are straightforward to learn at a look.
Our sole connectivity challenge is a Bluetooth connection that incessantly dropped, forcing us to relink, at a value of a number of minutes every time. That mentioned, the Harman Kardon-brand audio system, normal on the Touring, lives as much as the title, cranking out premium sound that’s shocking in a automobile within the worth vary.
The cabin, particularly on topline Touring trim comes off as useful and premium—a pleasant enchancment over the earlier era. Area, like earlier than, is ample for the category, on the Forester will present comfy long-trip transportation for 4 grownup. Moreover, regardless of a claimed 8.7-inches of floor clearance, moving into and out of the Foresters is simple sufficient. And, the dialog will likely be a bit simpler now, because the cabin is notably quieter than the 2024 mannequin.
Having already sampled a conventionally powered 2025 Forester (you may learn that overview right here) we are able to say with out hesitation that the hybrid setup is the way in which to go. Right here’s why:
- Higher gasoline financial system (35 mpg versus 23)
- Higher energy, particularly round city
- Improved engine cease/begin operation
Whereas we recognize the improved gasoline financial systemwe’re extra impressed by the improved low-speed energy, which makes for faster and simpler begins from a cease. Additionally, the engine cease/begin operation, which is normally fairly crude in Subaru autos, is now very clean.
In any other case, the hybrid powertrain will get the job performed, it’s just a bit quieter and smoother than the non-hybrid engine.
In the absolute best method, the 2025 Forester feels acquainted to us. Whereas there was nothing really mistaken with the previous Forester, we recognize the up to date inside, and general quieter cabin. The brand new hybrid powertrain is each a bit extra refined than the usual engine, and significantly extra environment friendly. In case you’re buying on this class—as so many People are—we suggest including the Forester Hybrid to your test-drive listing.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2025 Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid Footage
Click on beneath for enlarged photos
