2025 Subaru Forester / Disrupting the Lineup!

The Subaru Forester is looking to change its reputation as the biggest box for the least amount of money. In the process, it has made its relation to the rest of the segment, and the Outback, a little closer. Is it good enough to justify itself over the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Nissan Rogue, VW Tiguan and a whole host of others? Let's find out.
Thank you, Jessica Smith, for your excellent performance in the intro!
‪@drivingsports‬ Dirt/snow drive and review
• 2025 Subaru Forester R...
Thank you, Royal on the Eastside, for letting me test drive a few Foresters for today's video!
royalontheeastside.com
If you really enjoy these types of videos, please consider becoming a Channel Member!
/ @realistick
Follow me on TikTok for Car goofs and Instagram for channel/life updates!
TikTok - Realistick_
/ realistick_
Instagram - Tpark3030
/ tpark3030
00:00 - 2025 Updates
01:48 - Interior
04:28 - Exterior
04:53 - Driving Impressions
08:34 - Reliability
09:30 - Final Thoughts

[@lorenschwiderski]

The 2025 is said to drop the TCV in favor of the old tried and true thermostat. I saw one on the lot in a base level with dark gray metallic. First impression was that from the front it looked like a used SUV from the 1990's, minus any bling, as in no chrome. The interior bits, such as the black plastic door openers inside, look all too cheap. Maybe another color would help? Maybe the Sport model will add some excitement? You look at say a Toyota Venza interior and exterior, then the Forester in the same $37K range and have to wonder. For off road, and in snow, I get it, but I see many on the coast here which are never driven in harsh climate or roads, thus many other makes do compete. What happens should Honda dealership stop side-stickering the CRV, or Toyota Hybrids become reasonably priced? In base or premium levels, it looks like the Outback is more reasonably priced. And it is less bland.

[@enmass90]

It’s a shame they won’t give the forester the FA24. It’s a pretty great engine in the other Subaru models.

[@lens1016]

Imagine if Subaru had more than 2 working brain cells and realizing 10 years has gone by while the UI still looks like a clunky Samsung Tablet running Android 2.0

[@anotheran]

Ppl keep buying them. Why bother fixing it?

[@jonboy602]

@@anotheran I think they're buying them in spite of the UI.

[@anotheran]

@@jonboy602 ​ yeah, no need for subaru to waste money on ui

[@jethrox827]

Boomers buy them cause they feel adventurous and the screen is just a screen

[@paulgemperlein626]

I have a 2019 Crosstrek and Subaru is dead to me until that infotainment is improved

[@abubarista]

Lovin' the production and presentation bro! Keep it up

[@mountainhobo]

2:50 Kudos for the tape.

[@genzigzag]

That intro, Ouch! 😅 It would be great if they offered the turbo again.

[@BoopSnoot]

They are competing with the new Equinox for slowest compact crossover in the segment.

[@0HOON0]

Just give us 200hp N/A like the Rav4 and that would be good enough for most.

[@AllStars2525]

This is a tempting redesign, but I've driven underpowered cars before and I've had too many near misses on the highway for lack of torque.

[@DavidMichaelKalman]

The Forester's [S] mode is more than capable off the line and passing.

[@anthonyng3014]

Subaru listening to customer base: Customers: We want the XT turbo back! Subaru: You get bronze wheels with our NEW sport trim. It's surely far more sporty than the XT, what with sport in the name! Customers: We want updates to the infotainment, physical HVAC buttons Subaru: You get the EXACT same head unit as all our other cars now! Aren't you lucky you don't get tiny 7" screens now? Customers: We want an affordable rugged vehicle that we can actually use overlanding without breaking the bank Subaru: You get tiny roof rails to save on your gas. That counts as increasing affordability right? Oh, and you also get free upgrades to Ford Explorer front and rear styling. Oops, that'll be $3000 USD more, so not so free.

[@cyndiecityify]

Great video . I agree on the sport package . Sport looks the best on the forester for sure . 🙌🏻 I haven’t driven one yet but plan to soon . Thank you !

[@DougMacniven]

I see you're preparing for a new career as an action movie star!

[@raidersamson3356]

It is the same car I have except for a bigger radio screen and higher MSRP by 3k.

[@0HOON0]

The best 2025 Forester buyers guide on youtube! Thanks for covering reliability. Some thoughts from an SJ and SK owner. Great: 1) New seats. 2) Lower trans starting ratio. Good: 1) Same fuel economy. 2) Same fuel range 3) Same visibility 4) Quieter. 5) TCV gone. Ok: Looks outdated and boring. Bad: 1) CVT+ diffs are expensive to service. 2) Can't option the heated steering wheel on lower trims. 3) Can't option the 17" wheels on the upper trims. 4) No steering wheel paddles on lower trims mean you can't downshift for longer grades. 5) Needs 20 to 30 HP to match competition. 6) Should have bought Toyota's dual fuel injection setup to prevent carbon. Terrible: 1) Price. Nicer CX-5 is currently running $3-4k less. 2) Approach angle is worse! 3) I would pay extra for redundant knobs.

[@amamiai]

It doesn't need 20 to 30 HP to match competition, RAV4, CR-V, CX-5/50 or Tucson with the base engine are equally slow, unless you pay for the hybrid or turbo which are much more expensive.

[@Dgnine]

What do you mean by approach angle?

[@0HOON0]

@@Dgnine It's how steep a hill or severe a ditch you can drive up to without scraping the front bumper. Older models were better.

[@MrApplesaucestuff]

@@Dgnine when you approach the car and put you foot inside the car

[@Dgnine]

@@0HOON0 Thanks!

[@kubbyellison4060]

Love that they switched it up. Looks great

[@Doc1855]

My Forester Touring was my first and my last Subaru Ever ! It was the Biggest POS vehicle to ever leave Japan. It was in the repair shop more often than in my garage. It was a HORRIBLE car. I was so glad to get rid of it. It’s someone else’s POS now.

[@0HOON0]

What issues did you have?

[@Doc1855]

@@0HOON0 The low oil pressure light kept flickering, the rear hatch would randomly open. The facial recognition worked on occasions, the radio would forget the set stations, at 14K miles the transmission was slipping, the car would unlock itself randomly, Subaru couldn’t get the the auto start working. Shall I go on ?

[@0HOON0]

@@Doc1855 Did they repair everything aside from the start-stop? How were you treated by Subaru corporate? I assume the dealer replaced the transmission after the slipping? Did you get a loaner?

[@Doc1855]

@@0HOON0 We bought my Subaru 3 hours away from our house. Our local Subaru dealer (in Wenatchee, WA) are absolute JERKS and their service department is Worse. We had to end up taking my Subaru to Spokane Subaru (another 3 hour drive) because they have loaner cars. No Subaru never fixed the transmission. My Forester was 5 years old when I was able to trade it in. It had only 15K miles on it because it was in the repair shop most of the time. The last 12 weeks of owning it, it was in the shop for 9 of the 12 weeks. Corporate Subaru would only pay for about 15% of the repairs after the 3year warranty expired. When the Toyota dealership was test driving it when I traded it in, I was literally praying that it wouldn’t break down. My wife’s 2019 Outback has been a Great car. In fact it’s going in on Saturday at Spokane Subaru to have the front and rear differential’s , transmission fluid and an oil / filter change as it just hit 35K miles.

[@pingpongballz5998]

Damn your issues were worse than my Subaru

[@normaninsandiego7061]

That ground clearance is impressive, but I think I would stick with the base Crosstrek. Another great informative review video.

[@0HOON0]

Sucks that the approach angle got worse. That was the Forester's issue offorad more than ground clearance. Pleased to hear about the lower CVT starting ratio though.

[@toddmobby1595]

I drive 2015 fotester for 4 + years and 19-25 foresters looks terrible. And 180Ag is too small for such a car. Why i have to spoil my eyes for 7 years and see same dissaster at the back? My next car won't be subaru, even though i do many miles offroad.

[@chuckwalla2967]

I'd bet they could've made the chassis 30% more rigid, but they saved that 20% for the next generation.

[@mjbucar]

Lack of power = D.O.A. (I have owned a Forester XT TURBO for years). Subaru had better start pulling some rabbits out of their hats with a MORE POWERFUL hybrid VERY shortly, or the rest of the world shall continue to pass them by!

[@faheemabbas3965]

Forester hybrid is going to use Toyota hybrid tech iirc

[@xan2242]

The thing that makes me the most happy about this car is knowing that it's finally the last Subaru to use that stupid infotainment screen, it's not even bad, the design is bit wonky, but CarPlay hides it and the actual layout is really good, easy to use with big buttons, much much less complicated than BMW's system which is more brand new Android Tablet strapped to the dash rather than 20 year old android tablet but with bigger buttons and less menus. It is still completely ruined and crippled by just slow it is and they've been absolutely horrid on providing timely and consistent updates for it, if there is an update with major bug fixes then well MY23 might get it, but MY22 and MY24 will take another couple months for some reason, not to mention the out of warranty cost to replace the screen or the infotainment computer behind it is ridiculous for something so low res and slow, can buy 2000x more powerful gaming PC for the same money. Outback is next due for an update, and the Outback has historically always been when they make major interior design and infotainment changes so I can't wait for them to actually get some competent people working on it. As for everything else; they're getting better, finally realising everyone just prefers a black headliner, dual-pinion steering rack, nicer interior design, better quality. Unfortunately it seems like most things were finalised before the old anti-hybrid, anti-EV and anti-technology grandpa CEO was kicked out last year. Hopefully with new management in place they can finally stop gatekeeping the digital instrument cluster to the Japanese market, start putting the FA24 or a powerful hybrid system in more cars, actually put LED indicators in the rear, and sell the wilderness models outside the US market.

[@rodchris8630]

Why the bird on the windshield starting on the 25 Forester!

[@BoopSnoot]

I for one like the new Subaru Explorer... uh, I mean, Forester.

[@0HOON0]

Just arriving in dealers and looks like a 5 year old Ford. Backside is decent at least.

[@Hallowsaw]

Why do companies not integrate a wireless phone charger AS the infotainment screen so you can just use your phone as android auto, apple car play or google?

[@0HOON0]

Holy hell, I hope the system is at least less buggy than my 2021.

[@MrApplesaucestuff]

nice ignition key plug subaru. will it cost 30 cents more to make a new piece?

[@xan2242]

They molded a piece without the ignition key plug for the Outback..... then decided nah Forester can keep the ugly version from last generation.

[@MrApplesaucestuff]

@@xan2242 typical cost cutting. but they put peddle shifters on these cars. its a cvt with 180 hp, cmon now

[@dippitydoinit]

No turbo? No thanks. Way too slow.

[@tomahawk7259]

Unless the 2025 Forester Wilderness is a big upgrade I think my 2019 Forester will be my first and last Subaru and will switch back to Honda.

[@pingpongballz5998]

My ass will never go back to Subaru. I have a Mazda now and it's much better

[@hanhanhanhan7692]

Nope for me until they drop the Forester STI 🤣

[@AB-jk7tw]

With a more powerful engine, the new model would be very competitive.

[@joeanunez]

Subaru, please bring the Outback’s turbo to the Forester!

[@mikejones762]

you all didn’t buy enough of them. why would they

[@Hallowsaw]

And ruin its reliability and high resale value? Why not just get the outback. They are pretty much the same size vehicle

[@joeanunez]

@@Hallowsaw I personally prefer SUV design over wagons and I like Forester’s big windows.

[@Hallowsaw]

@@joeanunez isnt a crossover and a wagon the same thing? Car based platform with an extended roofline to expand the trunk.

[@joeanunez]

@@Hallowsaw I think so.

[@ctclardy]

The new 2025 Forester certainly could have disrupted the Subaru lineup if it replaced that anemic 2.5 boxer engine with something that had about 20 more horsepower and an equal or better amount of torque. Unfortunately, they just dropped a totally modified chassis onto an old engine and charged significantly more... what I call gaslighting the consumer.

[@xan2242]

they don't use the 2.5 boxer anymore in Japan, they developed their own 1.8 Turbo (CB18) for the Japanese market and they're going to gatekeep it. It makes 175hp but 300Nm of torque, and being turbocharged probably makes a lot of it at a much lower RPM than the NA 2.5. The 2025 Forester was their chance to make it international but they seem dedicated to ensuring no other country gets it.

[@ctclardy]

@@xan2242 This ain't the Japanese market. It's America.

[@xan2242]

@@ctclardy exactly, its stupid that they're reserving a more efficient, torquey and quieter engine to the Japanese market. Maybe they figured Americans are too old and quirky to trust turbocharged engines in non-performance settings and so the NA 2.5 was better for them, who knows.

[@richadent968]

A wilderness with the bronze wheels would look great.

[@harishrp4449]

Horrible new hairstyle bro

[@mikecremona1405]

I just took delivery of a 2025 Subaru Forester Touring White....... Replaced our 2028 Subaru Forester Limited.

[@josepharmato8032]

Does this guy like or dislike the car 👎🏻

[@Realistick]

I like the car, but the $3k increase in price makes it a harder sell than the old one!

[@alengreen589]

it´s not bad and it´s not good, a good car for less money, good for small family´s and old people.

[@mountainhobo]

"good for small family´s" -- "families", FFS. "and old people" -- Why, and how would you know?

[@alengreen589]

@@mountainhobo you think the car is not that good for this people?

[@mountainhobo]

@@alengreen589 OMG. You asserted it is good for old people. Why old? Why not young? WTH... "this people"? What's your IQ?

[@alengreen589]

@@mountainhobo maybe I´m to old to understand you but here in Europe / Germany you see only old people in a Subaru, if you can see a Subaru 😅

[@oxirosmusic]

Best AWD none of its competitors have

[@937553]

It's an okay car. Better than Rav-4.

[@Die-Sideways]

Is this a joke? Other than a superior 4WD system in what way is the “new” Forester better than a 6 year old design RAV4 hybrid? RAV4 has better fuel economy, more responsive engine and transmission, better infotainment, lower servicing costs, better HVAC controls, …

[@kelsey809]

👍😆👍

[@DavidMichaelKalman]

Did you happen to try [S] mode? It makes the Forester much more responsive... great for highway merges and passing. Keep in mind, the car is set to economy [I] mode by default for its EPA rating.

[@Realistick]

Yes, though it doesn’t make the car faster, just more quick to respond. 3600 lbs and 180 hp won’t be saved by a sport mode!