SUBARU Forester 2025

We had already told you about the redesigned Forester after attending its presentation at the Los Angeles Auto Show in the fall of 2023. We finally got to drive this sixth generation this summer, in its top-range Premier version. The primary ingredients of this compact crossover stalwart haven't changed much, but a glance at the exterior and a stint at the wheel indicate that Subaru has vigorously stirred the broth.

This evolutionary recipe has long been a specialty of the small Japanese manufacturer. While it comes as little surprise, it does have the advantage of containing the inevitable price increases. These are limited to $1,500 for the Convenience version, $1,600 for the popular Touring, and $1,700 for the Limited. Oddly enough, the jump is $2,700 for the Sport model, which gains as notable features only a Harman Kardon audio system and 19-inch wheels (instead of 18) for 2025.

All told, the most affordable Forester now comes in at $35,988 (including transport and preparation). Among the competition, only the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Mazda CX-5 carry a lower price tag. This also translated into lower monthly payments for the base version at the time of publishing (October 2024). At the same time, financing rates also favored models that appeared more expensive than the Subaru, such as the Ford Escape.

That said, the Forester's excellent residual value made it an ideal candidate for a short-term lease. All taxes included, the monthly payments of $590 for a two-year lease with no down payment were even $2 less than those of a four-year lease! This illustrates the importance of shopping on the manufacturers’ websites before going to the dealership.

Subaru still builds the Forester in Japan.

With this redesign, the Forester reaches a level of composure unmatched in its nearly 30-year history. The new version harmoniously combines the comfort of recent generations with the sharper driving of the series' early years. Practical, safe and more refined than ever, the Forester offers a lot for its price tag, especially since Subaru seems to have resolved its few reliability issues. The upcoming arrival of a hybrid version, designed in collaboration with Toyota, could further increase its appeal.

Watch our complete video review (in French with English subtitles)

Safety features

• Antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist

• Brake override
• Stability and traction control
• Hill-start assist
• Hill-descent assist
• Front airbags
• Driver knee airbag
• Airbag in the passenger seat (to prevent sliding under the seatbelt in the event of a frontal impact)
• Front side airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Seatbelt pretensioners
• Five adjustable head restraints (front anti-whiplash)
• Rear passenger reminder
• Rearview camera
• Tire pressure monitor
• Forward collision alert
• Forward automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure alert with steering assist
• Lane centering assist
• Automatic high-beams
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision mitigation assist and reverseautomatic emergency braking (standard, Touring, Sport, Limited and Premier; unavailable, Convenience)
• Driver distraction detection system (standard, Limited and Premier; unavailable, Convenience, Touring and Sport)
• Surround-view monitor (standard, Premier; unavailable, Convenience, Touring, Sport and Limited)

Crash test results

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Insurance Institute For Highway Safety