Didn’t like it when it first came out, but something about its sheer practicality is growing on me. Big windows, spacious interiors, comfort, reliability, ease-of-use, off-road capability.
I would still go for the Crosstrek Wilderness over this, personally. I normally don't like hatchbacks, SUV's etc but the Crosstrek look's nice, especially with off-road tires and maybe even a small lift.
If you live in a cold climate with dirt roads, the Forester has no competition at the price point. End of discussion. Idk why this screen is so confounding for people. It works great and the critical functions have physical controls. Just turn your music on and hit the gas. Enjoy the automatic climate control instead of micro managing the vents like some sort of HVAC Mozart. The lack of power could be an issue for specific use cases at higher elevations, but for the rest of us it’s just a road rage inhibitor
Thanks for the real world review. From what I've been reading about the 2025 Subaru, I thought the conventional wisdom was that it was under powered (as many are in this class) and slow to pass cars on the highway. As you were driving the vehicle rather aggressively, this didn't seem to be the case, although I didn't like the noise as you were gunning the vehicle. I was getting car sick with how fast you were driving! I am considering the 2025 hybrid model mostly because I want the additional horsepower and the better gas mileage. Otherwise, I think the Subaru Forester would be a fine compact SUV for me. I love the safety features (crashability, eyesight, etc.), continous AWD, ground clearance, and great visibility. I would spring for the Touring model because I value the blindspot monitoring as an older driver. It may be a bit risky with the hybrid though as usually it takes a few years to understand the reliability of the hybrid system. I'm still researching compact SUVs and I have a few more to evaluate and test drive, so I'm still debating which compact SUV to go with. A close second for me at this point is the Madza CX-5, which can be configured with a turbo-charged engine. Overall, it feels luxurious on the inside, too, in a class of its own really.
I drove a '24 Forester Wilderness last year. From this video, it looks like they made significant improvements. My experience with the '24 was very slow steering rack, labored engine on acceleration, slow acceleration, lots of noise in the cabin, especially from the engine, rubber band effect, lag. But this looks like a different experience. I may need to go test Subaru again. EDIT: Looks like the steering is still a bit slow. 13:30
Subaru needs to move to hybrid. It seems like they are trying to make those low power motors and cvt work for MPG when they would be better off with the battery assist/e-CVT.
The new hybrid system just reveal in Japan. You can find it in Crosstrek strong hybrid. It’s almost same base from Toyota THS but not E-Four. Maybe Forester would be next model to use it.
Subaru did have a Hybrid in the states; The Crosstrek had a hybrid variant that was able to be bought from 2016-2023, and coming back in 2025/2026. Averages about 90mpg, city and highway combined.
Looks like a nice ride. I didn't like the Ford Explorer style shift at first. It is starting to grow on me a bit. I wish they would just give us what we all want. A bit more power!
When you had the active steering on the freeway did you notice it wandering side to side much? I just got a Crosstrek Wilderness and it seems to wander a bit more then I would expect.
I like the forester. It is too bad they no longer offer a manual transmission option, otherwise I would probably be in the market for one. Bring back the manual Subaru!
Unless you need the luxury and space, the crosstreck is cheaper and lighter. So if you get a crosstreck with the 2.5l you get better power to weight and fuel efficiency. Also I don't like a cvt but Subaru has bin doing them since 1989 and should be compared to Nissan's.
Nobody needs luxury but the space (cargo and passenger) is far greater than the Crosstrek. The sweet spot is the Forester Premium with the option package with power tailgate and rear cross-traffic alert. Anything above that is overkill.
@@djsyndrome I just wish we could get the ventilated seats on lower than the top trims. I have never once cared about heated seats but ventilated I absolutely have.
Nissan has garabage CVT while Subaru's in house designed and built CVT has been amazing over the years. I see many of them on the used market with well over 400k miles. You won't find that with a single Nssan CVT - ever.
Thats exactly what I thought at first! Lol. It has grown on me, but not sure yet. My mother has one that is a few years old and it is just getting into that sweet spot of broken in. Has a lil bit more power than this one and is lots of fun to drive!
What does the Subaru “Stablex” suspension do? No detail is given about it in the Subaru Forester 2025 brochure only the name Stablex suspension is written.
Can't wait until they update that infotainment system, I see it's still just as laggy as ever ( I had it in my 23 Outback Wilderness and hated it). Surprised on the decision for piano black accents in a "utilitarian" vehicle. Wish they would have stuck with something that doesn't get mangled up so easy. Other than that, looks nice. I wish they would release a XT version with the 2.4 turbo in it, these lack passing power on the highway and is what kept me from buying the last gen.
I just traded in my 2021 Porsche Macan for a 2025 Forester Sport. The Macan didn’t shout its sportiness enough for me. The Forester says Sport right on the tailgate, has bronze colored wheels, gloss black trim, special interior trim and the best combo in all of autodom: the GOAT FB25 engine with a CVT. I’ll never tire of oozing off the line and slamming fake gear shifts!
There is no way you bought a slow Forester over your Macan. Terrible choice. Macan looks good, is quick, premium materials, good tech, etc. This abomination called Subaru Forester is ugly, slow, cheap, and has tech from 2008 + that crappy CVT. That was a terrible choice.
In the outgoing Forester, the combination of the on/off throttle response and excessive body roll made for nervous cornering when turning onto a freeway entrance ramp. Glad to hear that the 2p25 is better. But I'm guessing the wireless charger doesn't work any better than in other new Subies. The phone slides off the induction area constantly.
Climate controls on the touchscreen instead of physical knobs? Sorry I’m out. Also the heated steering on my current Forester is one of my favorite features.
This is going to sound insane but literally the only thing stopping me from buying this car is the fact that the gas tank is on the passenger side 😭 I wouldn’t feel as safe in my city having to walk all the way around to pump gas every time
Interior is okay. The exterior however, I would call "ugly." Other people would call the exterior, "weird or awkward." If only it had a Turbo. No, I don't want the hybrid version.
Own a Subaru Forester 2022 Sport. Subarus are way behind updaing their technologies. Poor remote key fob response. Windshield breaking is wild. Whoever owns subaru knows this very well. They really need to work on supressing a road noise heard inside car,. really a annoying problem. Getting OEM parts are hard and cost to replace them is way too high.
Fair point but aerodynamics are important a lot. That is why even super luxury cars like G Class have a lot of wind noise even tho they are built well.
They’ve ruined it with a CVT, the engine with all the sealant makes it already high risk for reliability then they’ve added additional risks with this trash transmission method . Person with OCD will never be able to travel with that horrendous sewing machine humming noise. 🤢
Car seems fine and practical, but for that price I don’t want to see Lada-level poor interior design and materials, CVT feels like a gimmick and a weak part in the overall reliable car. Sunroof feels alien in this anti-luxury car too.
$37,765 for a $20,00 car.... typical Subaru rip off!!!! So the company can brag about how many MILLIONS $$ it contributes to it's favorite charities!!!🤔👎
Didn’t like it when it first came out, but something about its sheer practicality is growing on me.
Big windows, spacious interiors, comfort, reliability, ease-of-use, off-road capability.
Not off road, more like challenging road, but yeah I have 2019 it's very practical car
I would still go for the Crosstrek Wilderness over this, personally. I normally don't like hatchbacks, SUV's etc but the Crosstrek look's nice, especially with off-road tires and maybe even a small lift.
That's the SUBI formula.
Reliability, you sure about that?
@@calvincalvinify Consumer Reports says it's the most reliable over the first 37 minutes of ownership!
subaru infotainment design still looking like an early android tablet in 2025 is wild
Subaru is like Nintendo of the car world.
I don’t mind mine. Subaru is about usability. This system is absolutely basic, but CarPlay is all we care about anyway. And if does that pretty well
Вам что нужно от автомобиля? Ехать или разглядывать информационно-развлекательную систему? Если ехать, то Subaru с этим прекрасно справляется.
@@superbros1690 lol you mean the Nintendo of cars. Nintendo is the Nintendo of gaming consoles
@@AlrienJ Thanks!
Why do you make my car seem more fun than when I drive it lol
Such a legacy color set, loved the bronze wheels with the blue metallic
Subaru is just really good at making daily drivers
If you live in a cold climate with dirt roads, the Forester has no competition at the price point. End of discussion. Idk why this screen is so confounding for people. It works great and the critical functions have physical controls. Just turn your music on and hit the gas. Enjoy the automatic climate control instead of micro managing the vents like some sort of HVAC Mozart. The lack of power could be an issue for specific use cases at higher elevations, but for the rest of us it’s just a road rage inhibitor
Thanks for the real world review. From what I've been reading about the 2025 Subaru, I thought the conventional wisdom was that it was under powered (as many are in this class) and slow to pass cars on the highway. As you were driving the vehicle rather aggressively, this didn't seem to be the case, although I didn't like the noise as you were gunning the vehicle.
I was getting car sick with how fast you were driving! I am considering the 2025 hybrid model mostly because I want the additional horsepower and the better gas mileage. Otherwise, I think the Subaru Forester would be a fine compact SUV for me. I love the safety features (crashability, eyesight, etc.), continous AWD, ground clearance, and great visibility.
I would spring for the Touring model because I value the blindspot monitoring as an older driver. It may be a bit risky with the hybrid though as usually it takes a few years to understand the reliability of the hybrid system.
I'm still researching compact SUVs and I have a few more to evaluate and test drive, so I'm still debating which compact SUV to go with. A close second for me at this point is the Madza CX-5, which can be configured with a turbo-charged engine. Overall, it feels luxurious on the inside, too, in a class of its own really.
Never been inside Subaru but I liked this one based on your driving
Test drove this version when looking for my Forester, got this exact model but in the Magnetite Gray with bronze wheels.
How do you like it?
I drove a '24 Forester Wilderness last year. From this video, it looks like they made significant improvements. My experience with the '24 was very slow steering rack, labored engine on acceleration, slow acceleration, lots of noise in the cabin, especially from the engine, rubber band effect, lag. But this looks like a different experience. I may need to go test Subaru again. EDIT: Looks like the steering is still a bit slow. 13:30
It's the same engine and drive axle ratio, so it should be the same experience with acceleration as the Wilderness.
@@p.rico11it’s def tuned better and has a new and improved steering rack compared to my 2020 forester
I like that this has a soft ride, but it's loud on the highway.
Mine isn’t loud I am on my 5th one
I bought a loaded 2020 Forester Sport, new in late 2019 and I paid 28k. In 5 years, it’s almost 10k more?!
Pre Covid and chip shortage prices are missed dearly
Inflation
Can’t wait for the hybrid. My wife is considering these
I love the Forrester but not having the 2.0/2.5T from the WRX is nuts while the Legacy/Outback has it.
Nobody bought the last Forester XT so they axed it
Have my 18' Forester XT - with that boxer turbo, I'm never selling it. And yes still wish it was a manual...
It would've been so easy to make. It's the same engine as the WRX - just put the same tranny and call it a day.
Same. Have the Touring XT 2018 and keeping it until they bring back the XT to the Forestor. 😂
Put there at least fa24 from ascent, and it would be much funnier. How can it be sport with 2.5 atmo!
Subaru needs to move to hybrid. It seems like they are trying to make those low power motors and cvt work for MPG when they would be better off with the battery assist/e-CVT.
They will release the hybrid version late this year.
I'm OK with non- hybrid! Keep it simple!
The new hybrid system just reveal in Japan. You can find it in Crosstrek strong hybrid. It’s almost same base from Toyota THS but not E-Four. Maybe Forester would be next model to use it.
Subaru did have a Hybrid in the states; The Crosstrek had a hybrid variant that was able to be bought from 2016-2023, and coming back in 2025/2026. Averages about 90mpg, city and highway combined.
Nah, they need to move to classic 8-speed ZF or Aisin. Keep this gay electric stuff to Nissan 😂
Subaru needs to ditch the awful vertical infotainment screen.
I think its fine to be honest, i like it
Can’t wait for the Wilderness and hybrid.
Looks like a nice ride. I didn't like the Ford Explorer style shift at first. It is starting to grow on me a bit. I wish they would just give us what we all want. A bit more power!
This car would be so cool with a manual transmission
Nah, doesn’t suit the demographic. Automatic is better in a sense of less hassle for the driver
@@AP_allday That's the unfortunate truth. The Crosstrek/Impreza had a 1.6% Manual take rate before the transmission was discontinued.
@@CrossKnight real question is whether that was the take rate or was that all Subaru produced and people bought every manual they sold?
@@AP_allday I still stand by that it would be a really sweet car with a manual, even if you’re correct that it wouldn’t fit the demographic
I have a manual Forester and it's great. I'd love to upgrade but I won't drive auto.
I just brought o in white I love mine and the wheels are cool as hell
I am a really big Subaru fan. My only concern is lack of power from the Forester and the seats look like they're not going to wear well.
The paddle shifters are useful when you have to drive in the snow, or going downhill for a long time.
13:30 that guy definitely was shitting his pants
When you had the active steering on the freeway did you notice it wandering side to side much?
I just got a Crosstrek Wilderness and it seems to wander a bit more then I would expect.
Great video.
Please try the Touring trim!
Wind Noise felt a little overwhelming, any owners out there feel its really loud?
I never think about it so I guess it's not that bad. My opinion, I guess you'd have to see for yourself if it's too much for you
I don’t like that big iPad in dash. Hoping my old OB will last.
Would you show more common older cars?
How about a Topher world tour? Japan, Italy, Germany, UK, sound good? 🤔
I like the forester. It is too bad they no longer offer a manual transmission option, otherwise I would probably be in the market for one. Bring back the manual Subaru!
LA MEJOR DE TODAS.
Unless you need the luxury and space, the crosstreck is cheaper and lighter.
So if you get a crosstreck with the 2.5l you get better power to weight and fuel efficiency.
Also I don't like a cvt but Subaru has bin doing them since 1989 and should be compared to Nissan's.
Nobody needs luxury but the space (cargo and passenger) is far greater than the Crosstrek. The sweet spot is the Forester Premium with the option package with power tailgate and rear cross-traffic alert. Anything above that is overkill.
@@djsyndrome I just wish we could get the ventilated seats on lower than the top trims. I have never once cared about heated seats but ventilated I absolutely have.
Nissan has garabage CVT while Subaru's in house designed and built CVT has been amazing over the years. I see many of them on the used market with well over 400k miles. You won't find that with a single Nssan CVT - ever.
Fordbaru Explorester
lol
For real though, that front end made me do a double take.
Thats exactly what I thought at first! Lol. It has grown on me, but not sure yet. My mother has one that is a few years old and it is just getting into that sweet spot of broken in. Has a lil bit more power than this one and is lots of fun to drive!
Wish they kept the turbo boxer in this. Outback looks too much like a wagon for me. I really like the looks of this new forester.
The bronze accents are nice. I sorta wish they weren’t so restrained and added just a bit more of it. Except for the wheels. The wheels are a mistake.
I have that car and I love it ❤
On my 4th suaru forester just traded 2012 one in for 2025 Subaru forester. I love them. 76 year old grandma new york
Yea (＾ｖ＾) 😊
What does the Subaru “Stablex” suspension do? No detail is given about it in the Subaru Forester 2025 brochure only the name Stablex suspension is written.
Stablex?
Hopefully, you will do a hybrid review when it comes out later this year.
Can't wait until they update that infotainment system, I see it's still just as laggy as ever ( I had it in my 23 Outback Wilderness and hated it). Surprised on the decision for piano black accents in a "utilitarian" vehicle. Wish they would have stuck with something that doesn't get mangled up so easy. Other than that, looks nice. I wish they would release a XT version with the 2.4 turbo in it, these lack passing power on the highway and is what kept me from buying the last gen.
Which do you find is quieter on the highway, this or the 2025 Hyundai Tucson hybrid?
I just traded in my 2021 Porsche Macan for a 2025 Forester Sport. The Macan didn’t shout its sportiness enough for me. The Forester says Sport right on the tailgate, has bronze colored wheels, gloss black trim, special interior trim and the best combo in all of autodom: the GOAT FB25 engine with a CVT. I’ll never tire of oozing off the line and slamming fake gear shifts!
There is no way you bought a slow Forester over your Macan. Terrible choice. Macan looks good, is quick, premium materials, good tech, etc. This abomination called Subaru Forester is ugly, slow, cheap, and has tech from 2008 + that crappy CVT. That was a terrible choice.
Lol nice troll post
In the outgoing Forester, the combination of the on/off throttle response and excessive body roll made for nervous cornering when turning onto a freeway entrance ramp. Glad to hear that the 2p25 is better. But I'm guessing the wireless charger doesn't work any better than in other new Subies. The phone slides off the induction area constantly.
Wheel color looks like it would work better on the WRX, BRZ, or Crosstrek.
Climate controls on the touchscreen instead of physical knobs? Sorry I’m out. Also the heated steering on my current Forester is one of my favorite features.
Subaru needs some graphic designers for the screen UI and UX. It looks like Android Honeycomb lol
This is going to sound insane but literally the only thing stopping me from buying this car is the fact that the gas tank is on the passenger side 😭 I wouldn’t feel as safe in my city having to walk all the way around to pump gas every time
Touring model please
It looks older than the old one.
Interior is okay. The exterior however, I would call "ugly." Other people would call the exterior, "weird or awkward." If only it had a Turbo. No, I don't want the hybrid version.
The uglier it is, the less targeted it is I suppose. Had 2 civics and they stole my wheels 💀 I got an ugly car. Nothing ever happened again haha
You don't sweat? You don't say!!
The interior looks so similar to Volvo, holy.
Why are you driving like you’re running from the cops
Sport?
the Fordster lol
37k for this is downright hilarious
👍😊
Own a Subaru Forester 2022 Sport. Subarus are way behind updaing their technologies. Poor remote key fob response. Windshield breaking is wild. Whoever owns subaru knows this very well. They really need to work on supressing a road noise heard inside car,. really a annoying problem. Getting OEM parts are hard and cost to replace them is way too high.
Do Americans drive that fierce normally ?
For the love of Christ. Car manufactureres need to stop the Square car trend. It looks okay but it the wind noise is just unbearable
Sound insulation is what you need. But greedy Subaru doesn’t put it into their cars, as well as zinc coating, I guess.
Fair point but aerodynamics are important a lot. That is why even super luxury cars like G Class have a lot of wind noise even tho they are built well.
4 cyl and cvt…. Typical 2024 car! No more v6 and real trans sadly
2025 Forester is so boring. I hate the changes they made. I have a 2019 Forester and would go for a Crosstrek over this new Forester.
Still looks stuck back in 2015
Aint nothing sport about this
Subaru Forester and the term "Sport" don't come along... 😅😅😅
Not since the 2018 XTs
Needs more power, anyone who own one knows!
Not fast but plenty for a daily driver
@@blue-tb2fd that’s true, but I’m tired of being juiced by economy cars. My next suv needs more juice
@ I mean, economy car. It's in the name lol
Subaru explorer
Way to much money
My lawnmower has more HP
The Japanese Explorer
Too bad it looks like a Ford Explorer.
Analog dials in 2025 is crazy and also Cvt = big no no. Also this is thing TOO SLOW.
They’ve ruined it with a CVT, the engine with all the sealant makes it already high risk for reliability then they’ve added additional risks with this trash transmission method . Person with OCD will never be able to travel with that horrendous sewing machine humming noise. 🤢
The Foresters are made in Japan. I like the Outback more but those are made in USA so I would never buy one.
Car seems fine and practical, but for that price I don’t want to see Lada-level poor interior design and materials, CVT feels like a gimmick and a weak part in the overall reliable car. Sunroof feels alien in this anti-luxury car too.
Done with Subaru and it's triple $$$priced replacement parts....SUCH a rip off!!!!
I'm sorry but 180 HP is so weak for an SUV.
What’s so special about Subaru? Never understood how people like these
And from your comment you never will lol.
If you don't need AWD you won't get it
@@CookingandFishing most people don’t need AWD
@@JDMSwervo2001 Subaru AWD and a set of Blizzacks in the snow. Best combo ever if you live in the snow belt.
Ahh. A Harris/Walz mobile billboard
Lol. 😂 Exactly
Eek
Patriot Mobile 🇺🇸
$37,765 for a $20,00 car.... typical Subaru rip off!!!! So the company can brag about how many MILLIONS $$ it contributes to it's favorite charities!!!🤔👎
Cool. Don’t buy it then. Problem solved.
Stop trolling with those ridiculous statements
What comparable car can one buy for $20,000?
the vehicle looks horrendous outside to in, what creatures are they selling these abominations to