2025 Subaru Forester | MotorWeek Road Test

[@John.Christopher]

I love this man. Best presenter!

[@TimJoseph08031990]

My mom's 2014 Touring with EyeSight is still running. It might be less powerful than this and has a CD player, but with proper maintenance, it will last, including changing the CVT Fluid.

[@marshallosantos9035]

The CVT isn’t the issue on this vehicle. The engine block leaks oil. Nissan CVTs give the technology a bad reputation. CVTs are t fun but it’s good as long as it isn’t from Nissan.

[@Paula-w1e]

Whatever you do, DO NOT BREAK YOUR REAR WINDOW!!! Back-ordered until late December!!! 2025 Subaru Forester Premium

[@JeffSpehar-ov1cn]

Never have in my life.

[@davyleehoward]

Nice Subaru . . Nice always seeing you on here John Davis , my Dad and I watched you from the early 80s until 2013 's my Dad and I loved watching your show on every Saturday on Channel 11 . .

[@jayhut2262]

Chch?

[@iwejun]

Get rid of the Bridgestones, bought the 25’ Touring model and already had a hydroplaning adventure. Bought Michelin Cross Climate 2’s which work for life up near Lake Superior weather.

[@Honestandtruth007]

I thought this Man retired already.... but it good News 😅👍😎 Motor week Needs Him 👍👍

[@ScottieRC]

I have a 19 Forester Touring with 18 inch wheels. I have two bent wheels and 3 broken studs from simple potholes. The tires DO NOT have enough sidewall. Now, they put 19s on it with even less tire sidewall. How stupid! Even by going to 235 width still doesn’t provide enough rubber.

[@itzed]

“While we relaxed for the 17 second quarter mile”. 😅

[@allentoyokawa9068]

16.3*******

[@chriskrueger8225]

​@@allentoyokawa9068that's still awful!

[@TomasCatalan-i3w]

@itzed... It's quicker than some compact SUV, including RAV4, Tucson , Taos and Sportage with their base engines. Not to mention American cars as well.

[@skadoosh3820]

MUST GO FAST TO MATTER says the underdeveloped mind

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Lol 😂

[@DragonWarrior976]

I find two issues - 1. The large screen which eliminates buttons. We should have buttons for essential functions. 2. Power - I believe Subaru will address that when they add hybrid option and that will also better on NVH levels. I really support their philosophy of taking their customers seriously. So hope all the best for the future.

[@tedschmitt178]

3. CVT

[@andrewsmactips]

Sold me at real gauges.

[@0HOON0]

Get one with the 17in wheels and ride quality is better than many luxury cars.

[@poivre22]

Now tell us about the abysmal oversized touch screen with all HVAC control buried under menus. ☹️

[@jaydibernardo4320]

And don't forget the lackluster CVT.

[@beastbee0118]

☹️

[@christianbearden28]

I’m a 44 year old single male. I wanted one, but I need something that can take off a little faster. I have to pull out on the road in some dangerous areas. I need more power.

[@paulhenry913]

From the latest spy shots the new outback looks like a bigger version of this. Hopefully the interior is different. They both should have hybrid options next year.

[@haze1123]

On-screen HVAC controls are a deal breaker for me. I want physical controls.

[@jamesstuart3346]

They disimproved the styling

[@JWLboston]

I guess if they really made it better it wouldn't be 31K

[@fendermon]

😂

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

I gave it a thumbs 👍 up because of the legend! John Davis.👌😎👍

[@raymondhachmishvili2483]

imagine this car with proper wheel design like those on the 2026 outback spy photos, less ugly unnecessary cladding, delete the black bar on c pillar, it will be golden

[@gs8259]

Are there still aftermarket exhausts that would replace that single outlet with a quality dual outlet w/ quality sound or no?

[@jbraunger]

The pre-made bumper sticker assortment option is key.

[@RedAlert-y2f]

Kinda looks like a passport trail sport.

[@tylermacconnell217]

Yeah, the stickers include Bernie Sanders, Harris / Walz, rainbow flags, I Love VT, peace signs, and Gluten-Free Zone.

[@chrisb9478]

These are great everyday suvs. I just wish Japan’s 1.8 Turbo was sold here, more torque & better mpg. Guess we’ll wait for the Hybrid.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

Except, I wish the hybrid was a turbo/hybrid. Not only to bring back the Forester XT, but to give it that hybridization, everyone seems to be going to, these days.

[@0HOON0]

Turbos bring reliability problems past 100k miles. No thanks. The hybrid will be using Toyota system with a good track record.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

@@0HOON0 Turbos bringing problems past 100k miles, has been an ongoing myth for over 20 years. Just like people coming out of the woodwork to shout about the head gasket issues of the past (everyone knows it was just the DOHC engines of yesteryear).

[@s-man3684]

​@@0HOON0 💯 agree

[@horndauryuryu1042]

これは日本でも英語圏と同様に「隣の芝生は青く見える(The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.)」と言う。 日本ではスバルはアメリカ偏重といわれ、狭い日本では大きく高くなりすぎたスバルは売れなくなった。 ボクサーエンジンはあまりにも燃費が悪いままで、少しでも燃費を良くするためにパワーが落ち続けてきた。今度の新型ハイブリットで巻き返せるか？

[@alexnovello4883]

That's a clean looking Explorer.

[@skadoosh3820]

Looks better than the actual Ford

[@nyrocks5580]

Do an XT version like our Legacy Limited and we might look at one of these. The 'Fordester' is decent enough around town but otherwise...

[@joestuff8]

Subaru has this odd gift of making their exteriors resemble 2010..

[@allentoyokawa9068]

umm no they don't, troll

[@gregdamitz9381]

2010. All 2025 in that class have a similar look

[@JLswatchthis]

This one looks actually decent, but to me, Subarus are downright ugly, except the BRZ, wrx

[@sarabeth8050]

It's the Ford Explorer's little brother. Less arrogant and far more reliable.

[@AWDfreak]

And two size classes smaller

[@roberthoyt7921]

Wrong. Forester’s biggest brother is the Ascent.

[@roberthoyt7921]

If Ford can kill the outgoing Explorer and then transfer the nameplate to a possible US-spec version the Ranger-based Everest SUV currently sold overseas. The Toyota 4Runner would be really, really happy once again.

[@AWDfreak]

@@roberthoyt7921 The Ford Everest is exactly what the Ford Explorer should have become. However, the Ford Explorer crossover holds such an important role in police work that there's absolutely no way Ford Motor Company is going to give up on it anymore. The Ford Police Interceptor Utility is probably the best-selling pursuit-rated vehicle in the United States of America.

[@theeric]

A perfectly capable & practical SUV at great price.

[@tontolinification]

Subaru Pilotexplorer😂❤

[@rubber-duck]

1/4 ml. at 90 mph is plenty enough for me, you don't buy a Subaru for a sports car, it's solid go anywhere transportation

[@chuckers40]

John Davis is still going strong 43 years later.

[@dohc1067]

I like Subaru's driving dynamics and thei Awd system. I am not sure about long-term reliability, but its a great rising vehicle.

[@tedneanderthal7373]

Why do they keep making it bigger?

[@roberthoyt7921]

Hideous on the outside but nicer on the inside.

[@timbrown9731]

What Subaru has always excelled in interior packaging however, the the corkiness that defined Subaru is now gone…

[@foxtrot685]

These cars are getting more expensive, but aren’t measurably better than the cars they replace. Aside from the laggy and cheaply executed infotainment system, and maybe improved useless safety features, how is this better than even the first generation, let alone the previous generation?

[@aeromtb2468]

looks like a little explorer

[@HVS.11.11]

Idk what Subaru is doing with its designs but I don’t like it. The 08 models will always be my favorite designs

[@ttinnovations3310]

great road trip car

[@manhoot]

The little sooo-bar-ooooo. Wow.

[@nate678]

Anyone else enjoying that Rust-Oleum patio furniture trim?

[@faheemabbas3965]

Why did they have to make the wheel arches like Hyundai… The upcoming new Outback, according to spy shots, is gonna have them too. Not a good design language Subaru is using.

[@frankcoffey]

Seems like all these new vehicles are under powered now. 1970s performance numbers.

[@JWLboston]

Should look more Chevy's Blazer and Trax instead of a 5 year old Ford.

[@Butchcub75]

not bad..mpg is decent.. but needs more power... why no more turbo pancakes?

[@TrailBlazerSS502]

I’ll take the Forester over the Solterra any day.

[@2amSpeedMerchant]

At least Subaru aren't falling into the electric car fiasco. Keep it traditional I say, way nicer looking than those ugly electric Kia I see everywhere.

[@growingup4487]

subaru has a fully electric that flunked. the solterra.

[@Kevv554]

No physical controls for the hvac and radio. What a piece of s***.

[@poivre22]

I agree with you on this. Bring back buttons and dials please!

[@oliverroo59]

A great chassis that is begging for more horsepower

[@TheRasta4ri]

Nice vehicle easy to maintain & work on with proper tools other vehicles in this segment matainence regulated to the dealerships for service other wise void the warranty

[@Seb.555]

Wheels 🛞 look covered in brakes dust

[@senseicorey9979]

A 1/4 mile time like that just kills all fun a car could have....

[@growingup4487]

it's a family car...

[@senseicorey9979]

@@growingup4487 so is a srt durango

[@poivre22]

@@senseicorey9979oh yay, you like Stallantis garbage.

[@senseicorey9979]

@@poivre22 if driven a wrx the last 17 years.....

[@Christosan88]

front looks like the ford explorer

[@chiiiiweeeee]

looks like a kia sportage in the rear

[@ermv]

Looks like a Ford

[@mrgurulittle7000]

It does, but it looks good.

[@chrisb9478]

Yep, front does, especially with the blue oval type badge. Except these are quality made, have a steel oil pan & drain plug, and last 300k miles if you do the maintenance 😂

[@jeffc7486]

I thought the same. All these new cars look cut from the same cloth.

[@poivre22]

But fortunately, it isn’t one.

[@eddieg6436]

All of the “they” and “them” people in Seattle will LOVE this boring appliance on wheels!! ……don’t forget to wear your North Face vest!!

[@poivre22]

@@eddieg6436 ok MAGAt.

[@saltinecracker6586]

These are gonna be holding up traffic in the fast lane in no time

[@gregdamitz9381]

Cruises at 80 to 90 no problem

[@fendermon]

@@gregdamitz9381 Yup, the motor is at 2k or under at 70. Nothing but a cold start idle.

[@rachelgreen1368]

Junk. We need a twin turbo V8 engine.

[@theluminary5324]

last model design way better

[@allentoyokawa9068]

Will and is selling like hotcakes

[@chriskrueger8225]

Nonsense.

[@LandonMillertotheMaxx]

@@chriskrueger8225 total nonsense indeed Chris, that's the reason why Allen is the worst troll i have ever seen.

[@chriskrueger8225]

@@LandonMillertotheMaxx absolutely!

[@LandonMillertotheMaxx]

well, it's about time that Subaru Redesigned their Forester, but do you think the architecture is a little.. Off? and it's missing something, the Wilderness Trim. oh and one more thing, Subaru, what is it with you keeping the CVTs??? This is getting ridiculous

[@growingup4487]

the CVTs are the best in the market. it doesn't fake shifts when you punch it hard

[@LandonMillertotheMaxx]

@@growingup4487 i doubt it.

[@bradkalman2353]

Miss the turbo they use to put in it.

[@Christosan88]

if its not a turboed subaru forget about it.

[@poivre22]

Turbocharged engines are overstressed and far less reliable. You want a fast car, buy a WRX.

[@fendermon]

@@poivre22 Yes, apples do not taste like snickers. Who knew? Couldn't give me a turbo. I changed exhaust gaskets on a turbo Mazda. Once was more than enough.

[@tom11zz884]

A Honda CRV wannabee.

[@tedschmitt178]

Those bronze wheels are 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@jeffc7486]

I normally dont watch new ones, and now i know why. Nothing personnal MW, but counting emissions now? Good grief. 🙄

[@llcross04]

They have been doing that for a long time

[@Motorweek]

We have had emissions information in our reviews for over 15 years now.

[@jeffc7486]

@@Motorweek I honestly had no idea, i started with mostly watching your retro videos because they are better and from a better time in my life. The newest one i probably watched beside this one was the 04' R32 Golf. Like i said nothing personnal, i dont like newer cars.

[@jeffc7486]

@@chrisn73 We just live in a different time my friend. If they didnt they would probably not be around. Always been a fan for what they have done throughout the years but i like watching their older stuff. The best part is there is so many of them, I know there will be more to watch they havent uploaded yet.

[@poivre22]

@@chrisn73can it, Trumper.

[@ermv]

First here

[@99subigt]

As a straight male, I find it ugly and not sporty at all, so I'll leave it to the lesbians once again to save the Subaru brand. They did it before maybe they can do it again before Suabru goes down completely. Too much plastic on the outside, and the front reminds me of a Ford Explorer. The back looks like it's from a Mitsubishi Outlander. What happened to the Forrester 2.5 TURBO from the mid-2000s?

[@rossw5576]

Another boring looking appliance. Sad.

[@fendermon]

Gets me to my boring job. What do you want your SUV to do?

[@rossw5576]

Transfer case would be a start.