I took delivery of my 2025 Forester in July. Same color with option package 15, HomeLink dimming rearview mirror, and a bunch of protection and cargo options. Really happy with my new Subaru!
I'm really glad that you gave us an extremely detailed description of just about every control available to the driver on the dash and on the "infotainment" screen. I haven't seen any other reviewer do this, and it's extremely useful. Subscribed. My thought on the lack of knobs and analog controls is that the driver uses the volume control and the temperature control most often. I presume that if the climate control is set to "auto", simply adjusting the temperature using the up down buttons (which are discrete and give some physical feedback) should be sufficient. The system should understand that if you want the car substantially warmer or cooler, it should adjust the fan accordingly. Also, I like the fact that the mute control has been brought back so you can quickly silence any audio program that you might be listening to.
I have a 2024 Forester Touring which has 18" wheels. The EPA rates it at 33 mpg highway, and I consistently get 35 mpg highway with about 10,000 miles on the odometer. I drove a 2025 Touring and did not like it as much as the 2024.
Thank you for getting into more detail Showing all of the dashboard features. Other demos just point them out without disclosing what the features fully do. 😊
Very nice review, thank you. That optional power lift gate is very good. Honda CR-V does not have that as an option in the EX trim. The only thing I miss with this Forester is the rear view mounted turn signal light.
the moonroof opens completely - it stops a couple of inches short (no idea why) but if you press and briefly hold the button again, it continues opening all the way
Overall, I like the redesign. I don’t care for the iPad-sized screen, but it is not a deal breaker for me. It seems many car manufacturers are using the large touch screens. I like the front and rear light redesigns, as well. The upgrades of the ventilated seats along with the foot activated rear hatch are good options and my wife is looking forward to the360 degree cameras. I wish they had a light cream leather seat option on the Touring. We have the saddle brown leather in our ‘21 Forester Touring and I like it, but I also like light color leather.
Gen 4 still better than all of them (‘14 thru ‘18). I have most of these features on my 2015, why would I change? And, mine is much simpler to operate. Also, I don’t want keyless access. It’s already been proven that the new keyless entry on all newer vehicles are much easier to hack.
Did you say the Premium side view mirror has auto dimming come with it? I think it only have heated side mirror on the Premium trim without dimming feature and rear mirror is standard as part of the option 15 package. Am I mistaken?
Subaru should give physical hvac knobs back, auto vehicle hold botton, and option of permanently disable engine off when you press breaks that does nothing except killing the battery. Only then it would be a best value.
What about the metal part at the bottom of the engine that was replaced with a Plastic Part. Subaru was going to change back to metal not plastic. Was this done for the 2025?
wish they could have incorporated the turn signals on the side view mirrors. subaru put them on the 2024 crosstrek premium. why not the premium forester
Does the premium have remote start via the key fob? It’s listed as standard equipment but I don’t see it on the fob, and I was wondering if they’re referring to starlink remote start
Had my 2025Forester now for about 10 days now… I find the lane centering to be way too aggressive at highway speeds as well on city streets and had to disengage it. Also I find the steering wheel controls to be placed in such a way that my hands always have to be on top of the steering wheel to be comfortable. At highway speeds I actually was concerned driving it being the steering is so tight that with the slightest movement I felt like I was losing control of the vehicle. My 1st Subaru and going to have to get used to its nuances…Feels like the thing has a mind of its own. All the features they offered sounded like a good thing, but I fear it may just be too much, giving too much control to the car’s computer rather than allowing me to decide how I want to drive … Only time will tell if it’s a keeper.
@ I actually am starting to like it alot, that is once I figured out what features I wanted on and which ones I didn’t. Keep in mind I was coming from a previous car with a wider wheel base and certainly can tell the difference. If I had it all to do again I would purchase a loaded Outback instead. It’s a great car, just make sure you purchase the Extended Warranty & Maintenance Plans FROM SUBARU, with ZERO Deductible. I didn’t realize how much maintenance & upkeep as well as the expense is really required with a Subaru, just make sure you keep up with it and you shouldn’t have any issues, it appears to be very dependable and if you keep up with the required maintenance you’ll no doubt have the car for a very long time and probably end up buying another Subaru when you’re done with this one. The build quality is without a doubt the best in it’s price category…In case you didn’t know Toyota owns a 20% Stake in Subaru and they share technologies, even have vehicles built for one another. Totally happy with the car 👍
The fact that Subaru is doubling down on the busy-box iPad touch screen is a crime. It's why I left Subaru. I was hoping they would keep tactile controls.
I was glad to lease a 2024 forester premium, the last year I believe to be made in Japan and still with the smaller 6.5? Screen which I’m ok with, still smaller then my 2022 crosstrek sport screen , not a big fan of the iPad size screen heard from a few sources that there’s a lag time with the screen
I don’t know why you’re talking about features that are on every single car. Rear window defrosters, black, cladding, and so forth. You can find this stuff on almost any car these days. Especially the rear window defroster and the rear wiper blade. You should only be talking about the things that make the car different from other vehicles
This is ridiculous $1200 for blind spot extra for AWD . I have 2023 Mazda CX-5 blind spot and AWD included from the base trim. Also Subaru very expensive to repair after warranty period expires.🤷♂️
I took delivery of my 2025 Forester in July. Same color with option package 15, HomeLink dimming rearview mirror, and a bunch of protection and cargo options. Really happy with my new Subaru!
One of the best reviews on Forester!
I'm really glad that you gave us an extremely detailed description of just about every control available to the driver on the dash and on the "infotainment" screen. I haven't seen any other reviewer do this, and it's extremely useful. Subscribed.
My thought on the lack of knobs and analog controls is that the driver uses the volume control and the temperature control most often. I presume that if the climate control is set to "auto", simply adjusting the temperature using the up down buttons (which are discrete and give some physical feedback) should be sufficient. The system should understand that if you want the car substantially warmer or cooler, it should adjust the fan accordingly.
Also, I like the fact that the mute control has been brought back so you can quickly silence any audio program that you might be listening to.
Best looking Subaru ever
Just picked one up! It’s amazing !!!
Good way to learn all the controls in the car! Thanks.
Bigger wheels on Touring are what make the ride bumpier and consume more fuel.
I have a 2024 Forester Touring which has 18" wheels. The EPA rates it at 33 mpg highway, and I consistently get 35 mpg highway with about 10,000 miles on the odometer. I drove a 2025 Touring and did not like it as much as the 2024.
Stupendous video going over Subaru! We are ready and prepared to pick up our Premium today!
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Picked Up My Baby 2 Weeks Ago Same Color River Rock Pearl ❤
Thank you for getting into more detail Showing all of the dashboard features.
Other demos just point them out without disclosing what the features fully do. 😊
I love that you “get” all these “badges”. Don’t charge people for little plastic pieces.
Very nice review, thank you. That optional power lift gate is very good. Honda CR-V does not have that as an option in the EX trim. The only thing I miss with this Forester is the rear view mounted turn signal light.
So much better than the older foresters
Very good AWD vehicle as a daily. Great review as always. Greetings
the moonroof opens completely - it stops a couple of inches short (no idea why) but if you press and briefly hold the button again, it continues opening all the way
Overall, I like the redesign. I don’t care for the iPad-sized screen, but it is not a deal breaker for me. It seems many car manufacturers are using the large touch screens. I like the front and rear light redesigns, as well. The upgrades of the ventilated seats along with the foot activated rear hatch are good options and my wife is looking forward to the360 degree cameras. I wish they had a light cream leather seat option on the Touring. We have the saddle brown leather in our ‘21 Forester Touring and I like it, but I also like light color leather.
Nice! I have a video coming out later this week with the new Touring!
The front grill could be better. Wish it had dual exhaust looks funky with plastic piece where pipe should be. Love the new color
Thanks for a great review. Done like somebody who knows what drivers need and look for.
Gen 4 still better than all of them (‘14 thru ‘18). I have most of these features on my 2015, why would I change? And, mine is much simpler to operate. Also, I don’t want keyless access. It’s already been proven that the new keyless entry on all newer vehicles are much easier to hack.
Did you say the Premium side view mirror has auto dimming come with it? I think it only have heated side mirror on the Premium trim without dimming feature and rear mirror is standard as part of the option 15 package. Am I mistaken?
Well done program. Nicely updated car. Peace bro
Subaru should give physical hvac knobs back, auto vehicle hold botton, and option of permanently disable engine off when you press breaks that does nothing except killing the battery. Only then it would be a best value.
What about the metal part at the bottom of the engine that was replaced with a Plastic Part. Subaru was going to change back to metal not plastic. Was this done for the 2025?
Love it I just ordered one 4 weeks ago
Why does it look like Rav4? It is not the familiar Forester anymore.
Does this version of Forester use Toyota's platform ?
wish they could have incorporated the turn signals on the side view mirrors. subaru put them on the 2024 crosstrek premium. why not the premium forester
Why are the dash board controls look like they are flash \ flickering while you are driving.
Does the premium have remote start via the key fob? It’s listed as standard equipment but I don’t see it on the fob, and I was wondering if they’re referring to starlink remote start
nope
Excellent video Kenny.
Wiper decider has been on Subarus forever. So have heated seats. But they’ve been shifting that recently.
Had my 2025Forester now for about 10 days now…
I find the lane centering to be way too aggressive at highway speeds as well on city streets and had to disengage it.
Also I find the steering wheel controls to be placed in such a way that my hands always have to be on top of the steering wheel to be comfortable.
At highway speeds I actually was concerned driving it being the steering is so tight that with the slightest movement I felt like I was losing control of the vehicle.
My 1st Subaru and going to have to get used to its nuances…Feels like the thing has a mind of its own. All the features they offered sounded like a good thing, but I fear it may just be too much, giving too much control to the car’s computer rather than allowing me to decide how I want to drive … Only time will tell if it’s a keeper.
I think I'll stick with the Rav4
@ I actually am starting to like it alot, that is once I figured out what features I wanted on and which ones I didn’t. Keep in mind I was coming from a previous car with a wider wheel base and certainly can tell the difference. If I had it all to do again I would purchase a loaded Outback instead.
It’s a great car, just make sure you purchase the Extended Warranty & Maintenance Plans FROM SUBARU, with ZERO Deductible. I didn’t realize how much maintenance & upkeep as well as the expense is really required with a Subaru, just make sure you keep up with it and you shouldn’t have any issues, it appears to be very dependable and if you keep up with the required maintenance you’ll no doubt have the car for a very long time and probably end up buying another Subaru when you’re done with this one.
The build quality is without a doubt the best in it’s price category…In case you didn’t know Toyota owns a 20% Stake in Subaru and they share technologies, even have vehicles built for one another.
Totally happy with the car 👍
Good job Kenny & I will think of buy this SUV.
I brought one and love it.
The fact that Subaru is doubling down on the busy-box iPad touch screen is a crime. It's why I left Subaru. I was hoping they would keep tactile controls.
Don't like that screen? I kind of like it
I left them because my new 2021 Crosstrek was a lemon :(
really ? im waiting for the seats to get comfortable
They’re cool but sun is an issue. Have the same problem with my 16 legacy. The angle of the screen is not ideal.
I was glad to lease a 2024 forester premium, the last year I believe to be made in Japan and still with the smaller 6.5? Screen which I’m ok with, still smaller then my 2022 crosstrek sport screen , not a big fan of the iPad size screen heard from a few sources that there’s a lag time with the screen
Is the steering wheel heated?
No
The front end reminds me of a Ford Explorer and the rear reminds me of a Honda Pilot.
Refreshed? Or all new?
Did you try lane centering and adaptive cruising?
Do you have a review like this for the touring. Very informative.
I haven’t posted it yet, but it is coming out today
Went a check one out, pretty cool but they had a ford escape and explorer also on the lot. They look waaaay to similar from the front to a ford
I think it also comes in light gray interior
Yup, and that lighter gray interior looks so much better than the drab dark seating.
Thumbs up but does it have X mode? Did I miss that? ?
It does have X mode purchased one today !
Does blind spot system beep on the new Forester to alert the driver??
Honda, mazda, hyundai, kia, chevy offer the audible beep.
its the wheels not the suspension
its not like a turbo model . Ware is the turbo models 😢😢😢😢😢
Hello!thanks 😊
Ha, I totally thought 200 series land cruiser when I saw this. Good eye.
Right? Haha
Subaru needs to get away from the multi purpose touchscreen.
How is this safe when you have to look at screen for everything.
Right?! Especially when they are all about “safety”
used to be a nice looking SUV, now it looks like a cop car
36K USD, right? The seat fabric looks very poor quality and the wheel is the ugly.
I don’t know why you’re talking about features that are on every single car.
Rear window defrosters, black, cladding, and so forth. You can find this stuff on almost any car these days. Especially the rear window defroster and the rear wiper blade.
You should only be talking about the things that make the car different from other vehicles
You should 😅 you shouldn’t. Always someone lecturing
@@agak61 yes.
Your car comes with 4 wheels, tires, and a friend windshield!!!
@@cop2506 I can give you a ride in the 2025 if you would like 😎
ok so what's new?
Ext design, electric power steering rack, new wheels, 11.6” infotainment, etc
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍
Subaru makes great solid realiable cars but are still behind the ball in technology.......where is the hybrid ????
Not until 2026
Like it
Why isn’t my moon roof opening
Subaru forester has progressively lost its sporty and wagon aggressive looks.
Their engineers need to go back to the drawing board.
Looks like they started coming back to it, not further away. This looks much more like subaru DNA than the last generation.
Well that thing is down right ugly compared to recent generation!
It looks too much like a small SUV from Ford.
Nice explorer lol
Yeah. Forester is losing his world famous look.
This is ridiculous $1200 for blind spot extra for AWD . I have 2023 Mazda CX-5 blind spot and AWD included from the base trim. Also Subaru very expensive to repair after warranty period expires.🤷♂️
AWD is standard
still ugly suv
This car looks old once you open the drivers door. Especially when you see the dramatic price increaae. Not worth the money
WRX 6MT