2025 Subaru Forester Trims Compared

Looking at the new Subaru Forester? Trying to decide which trim is right for you? In this video we check out almost all of the trims and show you the difference!
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[@sam-yau]

While I’m interested in the features, I’ll be firmly on the sidelines until they release a properly competitive hybrid/PHEV

[@pine111]

Hybrid is coming out in a year or so

[@sam-yau]

@@pine111 let’s hope it’s not as half baked as their last attempt at a PHEV (Crosstrek)

[@outofabook]

@@sam-yau It won't be half-baked. Subaru and Toyota have formed a partnership and that means Toyota will get access to Subaru's far superior AWD, and Subaru will get access to Toyota's far superior hybrid engine technology.

[@mike9588]

Definition of phoning it in and just trying to maintain marketshare, not try to gain any marketshare at all

[@glow4417]

Yeah these new models don't look good. Last years model even looks better.

[@mgjmiller1995]

Hybrid coming next year. Well what the hell, they've had access to Toyota's (hybrid) parts bin for YEARS. Just from a CAFE standards angle, I'm shocked they didn't launch with a hybrid, or make the entire lineup hybrid (which Toyota has done with the Sienna, and now the new Camry)

[@cargueone1971]

@@mgjmiller1995 No, Toyota didn’t have a hybrid system right for a boxer engine, that was efficient enough. However, The new hybrid power train will be similar to the ones in the Tacoma and Tundra, sandwiched between the engine and transmission. You can’t use the FWD based systems of the Camry/RAV4 on a Symmetrical AWD system like the Subaru with a Longitudinal place engine. So no, until now, Toyota did not have an efficient Hybrid system in its parts bin for Subaru till the new Tacoma and Tundra came out. It will be more for performance than high fuel economy

[@yiyer]

I've been hearing they have a Toyota based hybrid coming "next year" for half a decade now haha​@@mgjmiller1995

[@Hallowsaw]

​@@cargueone1971they could pair the 2.0L with a hybrid addition to swap out the 2.5L. Should gain it a solid 5mpg combined eith that combo

[@mrgurulittle7000]

Everyone saying it’s ugly in the comments.😭Then these same people turn around and call something hideous like the Kona, “handsome”. WTF?! I like the softer rugged looks of the latest Forester. Subaru is known for being bashed every time they introduce a new car, and the haters pretend they never hated on it later on.😂 Pretty much every WRX, Legacy, current Forester, Outback, current Impreza, just to name a few; were hated when first introduced.

[@bikebudha01]

I always thought subaru design was seriously "wonky"... And thought they'd sell so much better if they had more refined designs... Seeing this new refined design, makes me miss the wonk....

[@mrgurulittle7000]

😂😂😂Subie fanboys always bashing the latest Subaru and later acting like they didn’t hate on it later on.

[@ALMX5DP]

I really like the XT trim the best. Having the turbo motor and a manual transmission makes it the best in the segment for the more enthusiast types. At least I can dream.

[@Gruntsworth]

Reason I got an Outback XT over the Forester. Would have bought the Forester without a second thought if they had offered it in XT form. The 2.5 is good enough for the Crosstrek, but is too weak for the heavier Outback/Forester. Love the low end torque of the turbo, and after breaking it in I average 30-33 mpg. Zero regrets going with the extra power. As for the manual, they are sadly a dying breed even in performance vehicles.

[@tommymas1]

That's why I'm keeping my 2018XT Touring. 😁

[@johnkonde1975]

@@Gruntsworth The most popular and affordable Crosstrek trims have the 2 liter engine which is significantly slower. This 2025 Forester with the 2.5 liter engine is slower than a 2024 Corolla LE with the 2 liter engine

[@Gruntsworth]

@@johnkonde1975 The Crosstrek really needed the 2.5. 9+ second 0-60 was just barf. These cars don't need to be fast, but they need to be able to get out of their own way. You feel like you're punishing the Outback and Forester when you give it the gas. Even a smaller 1.8 or 2.0 turbo would be much better. Even with the same HP, the low end torque would make a world of difference. I think the Forester gets a 1.8t in other markets.

[@AB-jk7tw]

Love the design and we have really enjoyed our current Forester but the new car really needs a more powerful engine option. Our current Touring model is fine in town but load up the car and the engine is noisy and underpowered, especially in the mountains when we take the kids camping.

[@adamwehrlin3982]

I never found it under powered, just adequate. I’ve loaded mine up with 4 people, our camping gear and 4 bikes on the car. It’s not fast, especially loaded down; like you said. I even take it to the mountains with all that gear and it’s just adequate. I don’t like passing with it loaded down, but it doesn’t struggle. That said, it will be replaced by an outback XT. I agree that it needs a stronger motor, but I’ve never felt it was underpowered, just not powerful at all. I’d be happy with 210+ as long as there is some torque there, too.

[@mark_u]

Seeing this already outdated looking new Forester makes me yearn for mid-late 2000s Subaru.

[@David-dx5wz]

They look really good

[@hamidmghazi]

Dont get the haters. This thing looks competitive. Will wait for the hybrid though

[@digital_0630]

My wife’s 2018 forester touring was only $31k. Now the premium is $33k. only 6 years ago! 🤯

[@slscamg]

Six years and tons of inflation later

[@dedgar6161]

toyota corollas used to be 15k, now they are over 20k... it's all the same across the board

[@ChicagoOutfit1900]

Great video, but this is such a disappointment. It's worse in every way possible.

[@chrisb9478]

We’ve owned 9 Subarus. The new Forester needs a Turbo option and a turbo Hybrid option. Heck, in Japan you can at least get their 1.8 Turbo that has more torque and mpgs. 🙄

[@kevinb2844]

you are awesome… was thinking about foresters and there is your video posted 16 minutes ago😊

[@BTC909]

Looks more horizontal / boring like the current CR-V.

[@digital_0630]

Subaru’s design team was really in that room saying to each other “well, we believe there’s enough people out there who want ugly vehicles.” And the CEO was like, “alright, let’s move forward then.”

[@rightlanehog3151]

Alex, Did you say 19 inch wheels 7:46 on a Forester? Has the world gone completely mad? 🙀

[@glow4417]

agree 19 inch wheels is stupid

[@outofabook]

@@glow4417 19 inch wheels are especially stupid with the pot holes that are prevalent in snowy/icy states that are the states that buy a lot of Subarus.

[@jasonm7121]

So the base model is $30kish because the optional wheels and roof rails that were options on the ‘24 base model starting out at $28K are now standard. The optional wheel and roof rail package on the base ‘24 model was an $695 option. And that was after the wheel and roof rail discount. So, in all actuality.. The ‘25 base model forester could have been still a sub $30k vehicle. How they justify the new ‘25 base model starting out at $30K before taxes and delivery is a head scratcher to me. I’m just glad I picked up my sub, $30K ‘24 forester back in November of last yea

[@jabberyt]

So other than the base trim, you get a 2" headroom consuming panoramic sunroof? Give me the base, all the way!

[@chrisgray4239]

Easy car to step into hence unusual design to cater for this...nice job overall. Engineers rule at Subaru City.

[@kurtkaufman]

Thanks for this and the more recent in-depth 2025 Forester review on your channel. I know I'm in the minority here, but I wish, instead of fretting about appearance and tiny little design touches, useful things such as a front passenger seat height adjustment was available on the Premium trim. Aside from that, I have driven this car and I don't find the large screen much of a problem, as the most commonly used features, the audio system and the temperature adjustment, are still available as discreet controls. My chief interest in this 2025 model is that it's substantially quieter than the 2020 I currently drive, which makes an unpleasant, almost howling sound due to road noise (Yes, I have had it checked out by Subaru to ensure that it's not a bearing or differential problem; there's nothing wrong with it, it's just noisy!). I wouldn't buy a Subaru for performance, but there's something about the way cabin is set out that makes it feel far less claustrophobic than the comparable Toyota and Hyundai models, and so is an excellent choice for road trips. While it would be nice to wait for a plug-in model, electrical power is so expensive in this part of the country that I doubt I would see a tremendous cost advantage, considering the premium paid for hybrid technology, and the more frequent replacement of tires required.

[@pismomann]

Glad I bought a 2024 wilderness

[@someonez6904]

Are there no any parking sensors at all?

[@jamessilvester9454]

Limited and Touring have LED front indicators, lower spec gets incandescent. Small change but makes the more upmarket versions a little fancier.

[@mrgurulittle7000]

Very Subaru of you to review a muddy red Forester, Alex. Nice touch of ruggedness.👌

[@arubial1229]

Jesus, Subaru…if people wanted a ‘96 Explorer, they would just buy a ‘96 Explorer. These are HIDEOUS.

[@cmdrant]

Where is the Wilderness trim?

[@Anhedonis]

The Sport was a good choice for a single guy. It was the sweet spot where you get all the good stuff at the lowest price. But if you have an SO or younger family members of driving age, you are going to miss the memory seats. If it was in the Limited, I would spring for it, but withholding it for the top spec touring trim is too big of a bump for me.

[@vegansoy]

Looks like the only rear passenger that would want to lose the panoramic roof glass is one who wants to wear a cowboy hat, while sitting on an adult booster seat 😂

[@pine111]

Good video as always but quick correction: the Limited and Touring have front LED turn signals

[@justcollectingdust]

We drove it.....great vehicle.....smooth, quiet, much better acceleration.

[@Ride_Runner]

I like subaru I wish they had a hybrid version though.

[@adamwehrlin3982]

There is a forester hybrid on the way. It should be available next year. It’s a joint effort with Toyota, so I’m hoping for power similar to the Rav 4 prime, which makes around 300 hp and can hit 60 mph pretty quickly.

[@Ride_Runner]

@@adamwehrlin3982 Don't tease me? For real?

[@David-dx5wz]

You can expect it in the next year :)

[@1redgate8]

Toyota Hybrid version likely in '26

[@comickebs748]

Again, hard pass. Subaru keeps breaking my heart year after year. I wished they took the Crosstrek PHEV platform, overlayed the Forester shell on it, beefed up the transmission/swapped the planetary gear set with a WRX CVT, and given it a competitive 50mi of EV range. They had a good thing going for a brief flash in the pan going the PHEV route, and then either lost momentum, financial backing, visionary interest, or robbed of resourcing for development (ahem Toyota). Subaru should look at what Mazda is doing with their CX90 PHEV and apply a similar concept to their Ascent. Then the Forester. Aesthetically, they’ve gone back to the philosophy of when Subarus were considered so ugly that they were endearing. Design language should’ve gone the Land Rover/Range Rover direction - what a killing they would’ve made, coupled with a decent PHEV system. Speaking as a current Subie owner - not getting in a new Subie until a proper PHEV Forester comes to our shores.

[@Anhedonis]

One request though. The Crosstrek PHEV takes up a lot of usable trunk space. I would rather give up the middle seat and make it a 4 seater than give up my cargo space. Another plus is that I wouldn’t have to worry about the center seatbelt coming down from the sealing. And weight distribution would improve. But I dunno, maybe some people like having a middle seat.

[@binweng4937]

Inflation has certainly jacked up the price lol! My 2016 subi forester is still running well.

[@georgedoolittle7574]

Sales of 2024 Forester have been crazy good but i am definitely starting to see all electrics and more than just Tesla even now even a Lucid here on the Eastern Seaboard. I have no doubt that trend will not just continue but accelerate as well. Subaru has done what they need to have with the Forrester and their lineup in general this is currently a crazy demanding everthing market in the USA not just for Das Auto although there is certainly that. Some crazy impressive upscale starting to see as well whether massive trucks hauling multi 6 figure boats or 6 figure sports cars and everything in between which is definitely not normative here...and a lot of it as well. I still think the Ford Maverick is going to outsell everyone for Calendar Year 2024 tho even Ford's own mighty F150 possibly. Great Britain getting back into 12 cylinder engines i noticed as well.

[@infernovideo]

So no real reason to get anything beyond the base trim as they all have the exact same mechanical components? Other than a slightly different tune on the sport suspension.

[@JoeE.]

It looks very similar to a Chevy Equinox and sometimes looks like a Honda CRV. They all look alike. 😂

[@soulside]

I’ll take the Two-ring trim Alex! 😊

[@gailjohnson6670]

Thank you for the video. Blessings to you.

[@vegansoy]

Subaru sure likes forcing odd accent color choices on people. You can pick your body color, but you’re stuck with odd accent color choices. It’s worst on the Crosstrek with that awful gold-green accent. I find that color repulsive, and the browns and bronze accents aren’t any better.

[@gsh0cked]

Disappointing there’s no slight changes to the front clip as you move up the line.

[@KuyaArbee]

WILDERNESS hopefully comes out ASAP! all these trims looking very mundane... heck that power train is SH*T why not put the same turbo engine from WRX then we're talking

[@TXJ232]

This seems more like a heavy refresh of the 2024 than a completely new design. I don't see anything that will push current owners to upgrade.

[@sharonb.9128]

No hybrid? With every year I am more disappointed by established manufacturers I respect not offering a hybrid choice in this segment.

[@ALMX5DP]

1:51

[@blackwhirlwind1245]

Literally Alex just mentioned about hybrid coming next year in first few minutes. Why don’t you take you time and carefully watch the video first.

[@sharonb.9128]

@@blackwhirlwind1245 what is wrong with you geniuses? Reading comprehension! How do you think I knew there were no hybrids this year, he said it in the video. I’m not talking about NEXT year. I’m talking about now.

[@davewilson7602]

@@sharonb.9128then wait. They take years to develop a hybrid system, if a company has a hybrid system already developed it’s easy to incorporate into new models (like Toyota) but what do you expect from companies that haven’t developed a hybrid powertrain yet. They have to make a new one for this forester and I’m sure if they could release it now they would have

[@1redgate8]

'26 Toyota Hybrid

[@kennykwong1028]

Really digging thr lat gens looks. Really sad they went with this.

[@Tmanw8898]

What great video of the interior. A whole like 6 seconds 🤣

[@jorgiepoorgie]

Does Montana have a lot of Subarus ??

[@JordanICM]

this is so ridiculous that every one of these types of vids is missing the base trim.

[@wardboy814]

What's towing capacity of these new ones.

[@arubial1229]

Look at how they massacred my boy…

[@dynamicremakes5592]

This is one of the only brand new cars I can think of where there is literally no reason to get over the last generation it hasn’t improved AT ALL

[@gazzyT644]

Where is a PHEV version Subaru?

[@allenmerice2356]

I choose Land Cruiser 250

[@garyhorne8803]

I’ve noticed on all car reviews, Toyota has hired a bunch of basement dwelling keyboard commandos to trash anything but Toyotas.

[@ofcbob6391]

As Chandler Bing would exclaim: "Could these cars BE any dirtier?"

[@cabaneencac5168]

Subaru has more than any other the opportunity to lower the hood and grill thanks to the boxer but does like all competing SUVs . The height of the front increases with each new generation only to satisfy buyers who only swear by ''rugged'' look and do not seem to be bothered by increased consumption due to deficient aerodynamics of these useless high grill .

[@JarmelSingsKaraoke]

Happy Friday...it's Subee's

[@AntLive29]

Forester is such a YOU KNOW WHAT car

[@futurepaver2039]

Which one can I get that has chrome trim around the windows?

[@angusmacdonald5300]

Can’t believe Subaru can’t stretch to LED turn signals in a 2025 model!

[@mgjmiller1995]

5:00 That badging is heinous. Most of the design is, actually, which kills me as a Subaru owner to say

[@Tibchy91]

The ones on smaller wheels look absolutely ridiculous. Yuck! Shopping carts 👎🏼

[@sansin6250]

Where is the Wilderness?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Wilderness is coming in about 6-9 months

[@OldTimeRevolver]

The Forrester doesn't even come close to what I look for in a CUV. Woefully underpowered and a CVT.

[@MicahB98]

Subaru is the automaker you buy used in my opinion. I like them but not worth the money new, they are always behind.

[@bpsmith0587]

It's just... meh. Bring in the turbo and a hybrid option 😊

[@indaydongtv5139]

CVT?

[@williamstevenson8518]

I just want a CD player.

[@whiteandnerdytuba]

It’s the perfect cuv there is actually big enough for adults in the back but it still rocking the terrible center screen downgrade is annoying. It’s like piano black plastic, people don’t want it but car makers don’t care

[@lorenschwiderski]

I like the piano black plastic on my Fusion. Looks good still 9 yrs. on.

[@msmith3537]

I’ll take the Toyota trim.

[@tonycoz2309]

.........the XT Turbo....bring it back!

[@cherochero2294]

Just wait to new engine. Their engines are 10 years behind their rivals

[@quintonbuntin6713]

Idk the front end just screams Ford Explorer. 😞

[@shahzadjumma3590]

Subaru is like Macdonald, Creating a new burger from the same old ingredients Just increasing price

[@Kevin-qz4eq]

Used to be a nice and unique looking SUV, now it looks like a cop car

[@KevinSmith-wr1sy]

Subaru is having a hard time with exterior design these days. They are pulled in too many directions. It's a major turn off to an otherwise good car.

[@10tenman10]

I hate panoramic moonroofs

[@janoycresnova9156]

None of them

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

Subaru is getting too greedy, bad move to make the base version so much more expensive

[@djsyndrome]

It's still cheaper than the base CR-V AWD and priced about the same as the base RAV4 AWD (which will certainly also go up when it's redesigned later this year). What's crazier is the Touring price, which at the moment makes it only $300 less than an Outback Touring with the same engine.

[@rickrolled2691]

Cars are filthy

[@TheCosmicGuy0111]

Woah

[@LetMeCook86]

I like the Fordester trim the best! 😂

[@orig_gee_man]

Wondering is AI designing these ugliness? I mean then I would get it.. spicing it up with adding CVT to make it worse. Nice job!

[@bluefever02]

Still cvt only 🤮

[@ricric8348]

Weakness motor . Really subaru???

[@leoterojr]

What in the Ford explorer abomination is this?

[@RallyRu_2004_STi]

This video could have been shortened to 10secs. Your question: Which 2025 Forester should you buy? The Answer: NONE!! ONLY buy models from 2018 and older, cause they have manual transmissions. Anything newer ignore, cause automatic transmission only.