Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid
Specs
Class: Compact Crossover
Nation of Manufacture: Japan
Colour: Autumn Inexperienced Metallic
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 188
Actual-world gasoline economic system: 35.4 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | B |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gasoline Economic system | A |
| Worth | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A- |
| Tall Man | A |
| Massive & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 194-horsepower 2.5-liter |
| Engine Kind | 4-cyinder hybrid |
| Transmission | CVT automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 35/34/35 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline sort: Common fuel
Base worth: $41,695 (not together with $1420 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at car: Particular paint ($495)
Worth as examined: $43,610
Audio-System Model
Harman Kardon
Audio-System High quality
Poor Truthful Good Very-Good Glorious
Execs and Cons
The nice: Confirmed foul-weather capacity, roomy cabin, glorious gasoline economic system
The great: Up to date inside feels extra upscale
The not so good: Too refined? Some basic Subaru character appears lacking
Evaluation
You’ll typically learn within the description of a Subaru, that it is likely one of the carmaker’s most-popular fashions. And whereas that declare is probably going true, it’s essential to know that Subaru sells three fashions that aren’t solely common, however carry out in shut proximity to one another by way of gross sales.
Via June of 2025, these are the three most-popular Subaru fashions:
- Forester (compact crossover) 95,972 gross sales
- Crosstrek (subcompact crossover): 90,334
- Outback (compact crossover/midsize automobile) 73,257
The fourth best-selling Subie, the Ascent midsize crossover, hardly blips on the gross sales chart compared to the model’s huge three, coming in at simply 21,479 models offered for a similar interval.
Subaru’s different fashions (BRZ, Impreza, Legacy, WRX, and the electrical Solterra) mixed for simply 17,669 gross sales by means of June. So, when a mannequin is described as one in all Subaru’s best-selling autos, we’re speaking a few crossover (they’re all crossovers) that’s instrumental to the maker’s U.S. presence.
And, when a kind of three core fashions is redesigned, it’s a very huge deal. Enter the 2025 Forester, a Subaru mannequin that has not solely been redesigned, however has been made obtainable with a hybrid drivetrain for the primary time. Foreshadow: It’s a very good hybrid powertrain.
The 2025 replace contains contemporary inside and exterior styling, up to date connectivity options, and, as famous above, an obtainable hybrid setup.
Whereas the conventionally powered 2025 Forester is obtainable in a beneficiant array of six trim ranges, hybrid variants are restricted to 4. Right here’s the lineup:
- Premium ($38,015)
- Sport ($41,015)
- Restricted ($42,430)
- Touring ($44,715)
The extra price for going hybrid runs between $1700 and $3500 relying on trim stage. Notice, too, that the Wilderness trim stage for 2025 relies on the previous-generation Forester. It will likely be up to date for 2026, and isn’t anticipated to be obtainable in hybrid guise.
The up to date Forester’s normal engine is essentially unchanged. That powertrain pairs a 180-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT-style automated transmission. Hybrid fashions make use of a model of the identical engine mated to a pair of electrical motors for a mixed 194 horsepower. A CVT automated can be a part of the hybrid setup. All Foresters come normal with Subaru’s branded Symmetrical AWD.
Notice: Subaru turned to Toyota for assist in growing a hybrid system for the Forester, with fascinating outcomes. Whereas AWD Toyota fashions (assume RAV4) make use of electrical motors on the rear axle to realize the specified torque distribution, Subaru selected to make use of its personal AWD system, incorporating a conventional switch case, drive shaft, and axles. The results of this effort is a hybrid Forester that includes the car’s well-known snow and dust functionality, however considerably lowered gasoline economic system. In comparison with an AWD RAV4 Hybrid, the Forester returns gasoline economic system roughly 2 mpg decrease. We expect the gasoline economic system tradeoff is definitely worth the effort, and respect Subaru staying true to its heritage.
Shopper Information not too long ago spent a while behind the wheel of a 2025 Subaru Forester Touring in Autumn Inexperienced Metallic. Together with the vacation spot cost, our take a look at car got here in at $43,610. That determine represents about all the cash you possibly can spend on a brand new Forester, not together with comparatively inexpensive dealer-installed equipment.
Inside, the Forester nonetheless appears like a Subaru, which suggests the sprint focus in on the massive, vertically oriented touchscreen. As earlier than, the touchscreen is simple to learn and the icons displayed are straightforward to learn at a look.
Our sole connectivity situation is a Bluetooth connection that regularly dropped, forcing us to relink, at a price of a number of minutes every time. That mentioned, the Harman Kardon-brand audio system, normal on the Touring, lives as much as the title, cranking out premium sound that’s stunning in a car within the worth vary.
The cabin, particularly on topline Touring trim comes off as useful and premium—a pleasant enchancment over the earlier technology. House, like earlier than, is ample for the category, on the Forester will present snug long-trip transportation for 4 grownup. Moreover, regardless of a claimed 8.7-inches of floor clearance, stepping into and out of the Foresters is simple sufficient. And, the dialog can be a bit of simpler now, because the cabin is notably quieter than the 2024 mannequin.
Having already sampled a conventionally powered 2025 Forester (you possibly can learn that evaluate right here) we will say with out hesitation that the hybrid setup is the way in which to go. Right here’s why:
- Higher gasoline economic system (35 mpg versus 23)
- Higher energy, particularly round city
- Improved engine cease/begin operation
Whereas we respect the improved gasoline economic system, we’re extra impressed by the improved low-speed energy, which makes for faster and simpler begins from a cease. Additionally, the engine cease/begin operation, which is normally fairly crude in Subaru autos, is now very clean.
In any other case, the hybrid powertrain will get the job completed, it’s just a bit quieter and smoother than the non-hybrid engine.
In the very best method, the 2025 Forester feels acquainted to us. Whereas there was nothing actually unsuitable with the previous Forester, we respect the up to date inside, and total quieter cabin. The brand new hybrid powertrain is each a bit of extra refined than the usual engine, and significantly extra environment friendly. Should you’re purchasing on this class—as so many People are—we advocate including the Forester Hybrid to your test-drive record.
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2025 Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid Photos
Click on under for enlarged photos
