2025 Subaru Forester Review | Subaru's Best Seller Gets Better, But The Best Is Yet To Come...
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 พ.ค. 2024
- Subaru's popular Forester SUV gets a complete overhaul for 2025 with more safety tech, a quieter cabin, practical cargo carrying upgrades, more off-road capability and soon: a hybrid model is joining the party!
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The touchscreen that does almost everything is a big mistake!
It is. Unfortunately that’s the way the majority have gone. It’s in my 22 Edge. The climate controls are in the screen. And every once in a while the screen glitches and doesn’t come on, and that means no controlling the climate. There is a weird reset for the screen using the steering wheel controls and it’s only happened twice in 2 years, but still, this is the problem with integrating everything.
Yep. I really dislike the huge screen in the new Subarus and a lot of other vehicles.
I just bought a Buick Envision AWD primarily because I liked the comfortable interior and integration of the infotainment screen as well as the smooth and quick to shift automatic transmission, and I commute 100 miles to work 3 days a week.
I also don't want an iPad Pro in my face every time I get in the car, nor a CVT transmission, regardless of how many automakers try to force them upon us.
My Buick will never be off-road ready, but if I need to go off-road and/or camping I'll buy something else.
I’ve got one in my Outback. It’s unnecessarily large but I’m used to it after two years. I don’t love it but I don’t hate it either.
My problem with this screen is that the software is so old and ugly. So there isn’t much of a wow factor AND it’s also slightly more annoying to use.
I feel big gaudy screens age horribly. And is it me or is the latency so bad, it looks like its running at 15hz.
We have a 2019 Forester. Bought new in 2018. Now has 104,000 miles. Zero problems.
same here
Finally one of the reviewers worked out how to use the Forester reclining rear seats! congrats!
Still driving my 2015 XT Forester, still goes well so no need to upgrade.
Minus the huge center screen, I would have believed this came out in 2008.
According to my research with the last generation of Forester the steering responsive headlights became standard on all trims in 2021.
I feel Subaru failed on the exterior styling on the 2025 compared to the previous generation. Nice to see they kept the horizon blue pearl color option though.
You guys provide the most useful content per minute of viewing than any other TH-cam channel. Kudos!
Thanks for watching! -Travis
Edit: Best Fordster Ever!
The front looks like a Ford
I actually like this design of the Ford Forester.
@@mrgurulittle7000 the Fordster lol
@@THEFIRE360Hell yeah! Most reliable Ford ever!👍👍
The Family Truckster
(National Lampoon's Vacation)
Интересно ,что думает по этому поводу Форд ???
This was one of the most thorough car reviews, not to mention first looks, I’ve ever seen. Well done.
Many worthwhile improvements apparently held back by a lackluster (if improved) engine. Perhaps the top secret Htbrid version will help this vehicle pass and drive in mountains as well as save fuel? Even with better suspension, 19" wheels and skinnier tires won't help with potholes or very rough roads.
Alex, If I remember correctly, the 'tall, tall greenhouse" of the Forester used to offer the most headroom in the class. 🤔
My belief is losing the tactile buttons and knobs is a mistake. I'll keep my 2024 and maybe buy a spare.
Buy a spare forester?
It has the same buttons as the 2024…
I see all those cameras and I wonder why vehicle MFG's don't allow us to plug in a flash drive and use one of those cameras as a dash cam rather than having extra wires dangling around field of view.
Hyundai/Kia do let you do that in their KDM cars. Asian automakers just don't like giving USDM cars the same features...
Tesla is the only one I can think of off the top of my head. -Travis
100% agreed
@@noob.168 USA's Subarus are made in the USA and are a little different to the Japanese made ones.
Some cars do, including some GM cars. The main reason is that there has to be extra hardware to encode the H264 or H265 as a video file. The screens are just playing back live video that’s likely uncompressed so it doesn’t require the processing power that video encoding would take. Also: dash cams aren’t actually that popular in the USA compared to other world markets (especially Russia where they are almost everywhere)
Give me a turbo and a proper automatic transmission and I would seriously consider this. Without those, it's a hard pass.
Finally a reviewer that didn’t say this cargo capacity was larger then last gen. Not sure if I would rather have the 34+ cargo space or rear passenger space.
Laying down in back was a nice touch, showing you are not lazy like most automotive journalists..
Loved our 2016 Forester. Unfortunately, it adopted our son when he graduated. Still going strong despite urban commuting & camping trips.
Hate the CVT transmission, pass.
I have a 2010 and I am investing in it because I do not want a CVT transmission!
Alex mixed Crown upload with Forestor 🤪
Someone got some dates mixed up lol.
Watched the Crown video 3x before it gets deleted lol
I liked the Crown Signia video! I prefer that over this. 😂
I saw the thumbnail, went out and was thinking about watching it when I got home. Now it’s down… darn
😂😂
The conversation about the turbo subject, which was casually glossed over, didn't include WHY Subaru offers the turbo in the Outback but not the Forester. All we hear about was how the XT didn't sell. It did when they had them but they didn't market them and they rarely kept them in stock. I bought 2 of them and had to wait each time. Give us a choice and let us decide, just like you do for the Outback.
They are afraid that the turbo Forester will compete and take away from their Outback model which brings in higher profits per unit. See my comment above.
CAFE regulations
@@davewilson7602 ???
@@davewilson7602 So, Mazda doesn't have the same CAFE regs? All their vehicles offer a turbo option from the Mazda 3 up to the six-cylinder CX90. Find a better excuse.
Outback XT barely sells now. Why spend millions on turbo Forester if 99% of buyers don’t care for it?
I’d love for them to add capability of changing the gauge light colors.
The redesigned front end loses some of the Forester identity. Also it needs more horsepower. A 0-60 of 10 seconds was acceptable in the 90s.
Unless it says WRX or XT, speed has never been a big part of the Subaru identity. -Travis
@@AAutoBuyersGuide I’ve owned an Outback and Impreza. A good idea before buying is to get one or two passengers in the car and do a high speed merge on the interstate before signing on the dotted line.
Love Subaru have a 2016 forester , absolutely no problems at all have 125,000 miles plan to do 200,000 , and buy a new forester again, not even looking at anything else .
Current Forester owner- not gonna trade it in for this
Ford finally has something reliable….
The Sport trim does have keyless entry and push button start. The base model has a regular key.
We just bought a new 2024 Nissan Rogue mostly because of the screen size compared to the gigantic screen of the newSubaru’s. we looked at both the Forester and the outback, and they were way too big for us. Plus, they no longer have physical buttons for many of the functions.
How’s your gas mileage so far? How many mpg are you getting? Is your Rogue AwD?
The 2024 Rogue has an 8 or 12 inch display. I'll grant you it does have physical buttons for climate control though.
The current Outback generation has an 11 inch display and like the 2025 Forester the climate controls will be static on the bottom of the screen.
However, the current generation of Forester either has a 6.5 (base trim) or 8 inch display, so no larger than the 2024 Rogue. The current gen Forester also has physical buttons for all the climate control options just as the Rogue does.
I could see how you might shy away from the Outback, or the latest gen Crosstrek which also just got the larger display, but the current Forester is no worse than the Rogue when it comes to the display & buttons.
welps the CROWN INSIGNIA is what I will wait for
i actually like the analong instrument cluster
Me to. I am worried about the electronic instrument cluster failing and having an expensive module replacement.
If you use GPS, it's so much better to have info on a digital one there instead. subie offers it in some jdm models.
@@ctclardy I have bad news about your A/C and radio.
I don't like how they raised the hood so much compared to prior generations. The really low hoodline and the upright windshield is, or was, what made foresters so great. The visibility offered by Forester is unmatched by any other car, not so sure about that anymore.
It’s lower than current gen and current gen is decent - I own it so speaking from my own experience.
There is a turbo Forester on other market and that front height is used to deliver air to the intercooler.
I enjoyed your video though I'd love to hear more about the changes to the eyesight system (besides the extra camera). I currently own a 2020 Subaru Sport, I love the car but there's lots to improve in the eyesight system.
I’m holding onto my 2015 6mt Forester, because I love the manual, and longevity is important to me. Make a 6mt available on the Sport, and I’m there, ready to sign.
Sadly, I can't see that making a comeback. -Travis
Glad you got to review sort of a mid-trim level.
Love that they keep the analog gauges.
10:02 I find it funny that the sunglass holders take up so much space IMO
Yes, but no one sits in the middle of the arm rest, so it’s fine.
I looks similar to mine and I’ve never noticed it as problematic 😂
I own a current eboxer Forester.
New gen is interesting and I’d like to upgrade to in when hybrid comes in.
Subaru kept the things I like and added things I care about.
Besides the obvious things mentioned, the front surfaces under the windshield is not more horizontal. I use often when eating on the road trips 😂❤
Hey, where did the Crown Signia video go?! I wanted to attack you on a deeply personal level for saying "storageability", but ...no video, no comments, nothing!
He posted the video too soon. Got a chance to watch it fully
On fourth Suby and absolutely ..... absolutely no oil usage ! Looking forward to the upcoming
Hello, will they be including a hybrid trim. Fuel efficiency is the only downside of a Subaru these days.
Yes that will be coming for the next model year
There will be a hybrid but we have no other information at this time. -Travis
Is a Boxer motor good? It can be. Honda Goldwing motorcycles are renowned for longevity. They used Boxer engines since the 1980's and you can find some with literally a million miles on the odo.
25:40 Subaru is relaible and functional
Toyota and Honda way better
In front of new Rav4 and Crv, this forester will look like your dad's car
Subaru maintenance is also very high
Does the Mazda CX-5 / Cx-50 not sell well with its turbo? I personally would've loved to have the XT back as an option.
Not a lot of people want a CVT and a 250+ hp engine. The CVT saps a lot of the fun. The Mazda is way more engaging and fun to drive
Mazdas don’t sell all that well in general, but the ratio of the turbo sales is higher because of the brand perception and marketing. Mazdas also handle well, unlike Subarus.
I have long admired Subaru, and always wanted to get one. They used to have high fuel consumption, and then they suffered from low power (seemingly to combat the consumption). This update looks like a shift to mainstream taste, but it doesn't seem they have been able to improve the engine much. Hoping that the hybrid tie up with Toyota will help. The bloated design on the new Forrester makes the crosstrek look more appealing to me.
If the moon roof is all the way opened it will bring the shade with it back all the way when you close it. So it really is auto and manual
How does this stack up against something like the new Tucson?
I want to see the next gen wilderness as a hybrid by default, as long as they keep it a mechanical awd setup.
Do you know when they will come out with the new Outback?? Thank you for the videos!!
Manual transmission would be a big enticement.
Did you take down the crownsignia review?
i was expecting you to test drive the stability on the trails, that would have been great
@11:35 Pretty sure you mean Base model. No way the Premium gets push button start below the Sport and then the Sport gets a downgrade back to a physical key.
I really like the looks especially the front and the rear windows lost the wedge look.
i hope their hybrid is some variant of a toyota hybrid engine with the toyota ECVT. Because subaru's last hybrid, the crosstrek wasn't tall that popular. And making available only as its very top trim and most expensive was a failure. Rav4 hybrid is popular because they had a hybrid for every trim model from the lowest to its highest. with its more popular being its low-mid to mid tier hybrids. Somehow, I think subuaru's decision for its hybrid will be another dropped ball and they'll make it on some non sensical most expensive trim model yet again with 90% of the stuff I don't want and having it at high 30s low 40s.
It would be just the one gen old hybrid system. They are planning announce it at the last quarter this year.
Very curious about the future Wilderness version. That might be a great choice.
Upgrade that infotainment to a modern processor and still a real engine in it, and I’d probably buy one. A hybrid may have potential.
Great review, it would be nice if all of Alex's review were in Montana. Beautiful scenery.
Below is another rant about CVTs and fake shifts with paddles.
Why do manufacturers keep putting paddles on everything thing. This thing has a CVT, it doesn't have anything to shift! So let me get this straight. Subaru puts in a CVT and then imitates shifting, which actually makes it slower? Why? Just make the CVT, no gimmicks. Spend that fake shifting budget on something else, please.
1:15 Is the video playing tricks on me or are the headlights two different colors?
I hope to the Stars, as in the ones in the Subaru logo, that the exhaust outlet delete is the harbinger of the return of the XT turbo--not the JDM 1.8L XT but the 2.5L XT. I have a '21 Crosstrek with 56K miles and I'm thinking Golf R or WRX either in a MT. I rather have a XT Forester and I'll even take it in a CVT.
The wheel design + frame rate makes @5:17 a little trippy
Did you have any issues with the wireless charging pad, saw driving sports tv video and say he had issues when charging his phone wirelessly
I'm assuming the Subaru hybrid will be based on the Toyotas hybrid max system . Not the dual motor E cvt setup....
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.
Nope, forester XT did not require premium. You can put 87 and it will be completely fine. Premium is recommended doh (XT owner)
@@Go_Spleef_YourselfSubaru recommended at least 91 Octane on all XTs and knocking is a well-known side effect for those who ignored that recommendation.
From the manual: “NOTE: Be sure to use premium unleaded gasoline of 91 AKI or higher for turbo engine models. If other gasoline (lower than 91 AKI) is used, knocking, reduced output and poor accelerator response will result.”
The take rate was low because the price was high and the features were low. Aside from needing 91 octane it also had worse fuel economy, large wheels/low profile tires that people who go off-road don’t want, needing to cool before shutdown and all of that with a CVT. Honestly, most Forester buyers don’t want or need that with over 80% of all Foresters being sold in the Premium trim.
@@afcgeo882 Recommended is not the same as required as it specifically states in the manual,
"Regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating of 87 AKI (90 RON) or higher may
also be used. Using regular unleaded
gasoline will not be detrimental to engine
durability, nor will it affect your warranty
coverage. However, depending on your
driving habits and conditions, you may
notice a decrease in maximum engine
performance, fuel economy or slight en-
gine vibration or knocking"
This is from the last generation of XT models.
@@Go_Spleef_Yourself Except that anyone who knows anything about mechanics knows that engine knocking (early detonation) is ABSOLUTELY harmful to engines, but you do you, boo! See how that warranty claim works out!
Something I don’t understand in 2024 is why updated cars are still coming with USB-A ports, also this doesn’t seem to be groundbreaking and like Subaru went all out, seems conservative to just try and do enough to maintain marketshare
How is the driver knee room?
Subaru did not have any problem selling the XT Forester in our area. They sold off the lot as soon as they hit. The real reason they stopped was that they took away from their Outback sales. The Forester needs a selection of engine offerings; the base engine, their turbo, and a hybrid option would be great. But, a plug-in hybrid would be fantastic. It is one of the best compact offerings on the market today except that they only offer a base, to me, anemic engine offering. Excellent and comprehensive video.
100% accurate.
I agree! I'm a recent 24 XT OB owner (from 22 Forester) and its clear that its an upsell strategy on their side to maintain profitability. My wife prefers Forester and I like the Forester too, but the power in the OB is a no brainer. Given the choice, I would choose a Forester XT any day , no matter how it looks :). That 2.4 Turbo is really good . 3 x Powertrains as you suggest would clean the market straight away!
That’s a basic fallacy. “They sold off the lot as soon as they hit” says NOTHING. That only happened because the vast majority of XTs were ordered by the customers and not the dealers. Dealers were never allocated XTs in any quantity to measure actual demand. XTs were low margin trims.
This is a disaster for me when i was college student in yrs of 1999-2003 it" asked" me stay all day long along side of the road most of the time.
26mpg city???? GOOOOOD LUCK 😂😂😂😂😂😂
What a cool snowy - gravel path. Where is it?
Big Sky country, heading out to a ghost town. -Travis
I see the crown signia video is gone
I am hoping that Subaru puts a turbo in the new Wilderness model. If my car doesn't last until the new Wilderness comes out, would you recommend the 2024 Forester Wilderness or the 2025 Forester Sport?
When will Subaru wake up and allow for full size spare?
In my Crosstrek'24 the space is too small by 1 inch, press a larger space please!!!!!
How can they sell an "Adventure"/ off-road vehicle with a toy spare...
We had two different (2000 & 2013) Foresters spanning 22 years. We’d probably still be driving one had Subaru offered a plug in hybrid version.
Definitely saw some Ford Explorer, but for me it was the headlights. LED brake lights is incredibly low on my list of priorities for a car. Not a fan of frameless windows...on any car
Think I'll keep my 2022 Forester Limited loaded. Disappointed in design and lack of powertrain enhancements. Very doubtful interior changes were customer driven. Yawn....
Forrester driver here but my next vehicle will not be gas powered. My family is on our third and likely last Subaru. It's a bummer Subaru has lagged so much bringing real EV options to their lineup.
Enjoy your charging layovers. 😂
That’s funny how people still believe that subaru awd system is still unique 😅
4:50 - folks do not believe this man. Modern Subaru do not consume oil between oil changes. I have 100K personal miles in newer Forester and our household combined has around 250K miles in various new Subarus. We do maintenance at home and there is zero oil level drop between oil changes. Additionally full tank of gas in Forester gets you 550 miles in highway at highway speeds. At smaller highways where average speeds 35-55 it gets 600-650 miles per tank. There is no other full time awd suv that offers this at this price.
BEHOLD THE NEW SUBAFORD EXPLORESTER!!! EEEWWWWWWW
It’s giving 2016 ford explorer
And who would be the Distributor/Installer in the U.S.? As far as I know, there is no Aftermarket Turbo/Supercharger available for the Subaru 2.5 L Engine!
I don't know how the oil consumptions a problem I got three Subarus I run Amsoil and all of them and they don't drop at all between oil changes every 10,000 mi
8:25 really ?? What the heck did they do ? It looks hideous ..
Idk why Subaru acts like they have no money. That screen and gauge cluster was slow and outdated in 2020, why is it still new in 2025? 😒
I think they try to squeeze all juice from that infotainment system. But I really liked small screen at the top. It was so offroady.
I feel the data is skewed. If they offered more powerful turbo engines in base trims, turbos would be chosen more.
100% correct.
Subaru does not want it to compete with its Outback model and steal sales. Their Outbacks bring more profit per vehicle... a big mistake though not offering more powerful engine options, in my opinion.
The layout of the infotainment is really bad. There are far too many options crammed into one screen.
And those graphics look like a cheap android handset from early 2010s
The best forester ever made was the SG. 03-08. Fight me 💪🏼
Yawn. The outgoing Forester was homely-looking, but at least you could tell it was a Subaru. This thing will be the most generic appliance on the road. Also, I don't understand why such a safety-conscious company insists on installing that problematic, cumbersome, driver-distracting multifunction panel in all of their cars.
Not inspiring but not a yawn. There’s worse designs out there.
I own a 2011 and a 2017 subaru. I find it pretty boring that almost all subarus now have almost the same interior.
Also why have 2 different videos for the forester. Subaru should have released the hybrid info too
I think it looks great!! But I wonder why people would get this over a Passport, beshides the cost which is probably 5-7k more expensive. The next gen Passport with the Pilot drivetrain is going to be a good hit I think for Honda.
That 5-7k is a big difference at that price point. -Travis
Front end looks like a pilot
I hope it gets a true hybrid and not a plug in. I have zero interest in a plug in. But, I also expect that hybrid versions will be very hard to come by for quite some time after they come out. Hopefully Subaru has plans to produce a lot of them. Overall, not crazy on the redesign, but I do love Foresters so I guess I’ll need to see one in person.
Not interested in a plug in even if it's more powerful and fun to drive? -Travis
@@AAutoBuyersGuideCorrect. I prefer a Prius-style hybrid setup.
Real gauges are better than a dumb screen in front of you, and tablet computers belong in your hands and not in the middle of the dash.
Well that third camera kind of stinks cuz I put my dash cam right behind the rearview mirror so now when I have issues with that I have a 21 Crosstrek with the eyesight but right now there's no third camera so I got plenty room for my dash cam
No push button start in the Sport? For real?
My 2019 i spend over 11 thousand for maintenence
2019 Outback limited
Those rods, how weird!?
Пора бы поставить на него гибрид от тойота и автомат ..
where is the toyota crown suv video