Hey everyone,
Looking to hear from anyone who has the new 2025 Forester in North America. It’s coming to Australia early next year, but I’d love to hear firsthand reviews from owners.
How does it drive? Comfortable? How’s the fuel economy, reliability, any issues? What do you think about the interior, the tech, and overall design? Does it feel smooth like previous models?
Would love to hear your thoughts, thanks.
I’ve had mine for about six weeks. It’s really comfortable and surprisingly quiet. We traded in a 2020 Kia Soul and a 2021 Kia K5, and this Forester is way ahead in ride comfort.
It has a naturally aspirated Boxer engine, but it still handles highway driving well. I get around 32 MPG, which is solid for an AWD SUV. The interior is a big step up too. The infotainment screen looks great and is very functional. I also like the customizable driver display—it lets me see only what I need.
We went for the Touring trim, and I don’t think we could do without any of its features. The black and brown interior is a nice touch, and the driving position is excellent. My only complaint is that the infotainment system can be a bit slow at times.
@Gracen
Thanks for the detailed review. The interior looks great from what I’ve seen. Sounds like you made a good choice.
I went to buy an Outback and left with a Forester Limited instead. It has more power than the 2024 model and feels way more refined inside. Only a week in, but I love it so far.
Sterling said:
I went to buy an Outback and left with a Forester Limited instead. It has more power than the 2024 model and feels way more refined inside. Only a week in, but I love it so far.
Appreciate the feedback. I was considering the 2025 because I like the upgraded interior. Sounds like it’s worth waiting for.
I got the Touring model. It’s really comfortable and much quieter than my previous Legacy. The visibility is excellent, and I like the 360-degree camera system. The infotainment screen is large and easy to use.
If you’re an aggressive driver, it might feel underpowered, but for normal driving, it’s perfectly fine.
@fortuna
Good to know. Sounds like a solid cruiser for everyday driving.
Got the 2025 Forester Premium a couple of months ago.
What I like:
What I don’t like:
As for reliability, I expect it to be like past models—good with regular maintenance. Subaru parts tend to be a bit pricier than some other brands, but the reliability is solid. I’ve known people who’ve taken these well past 150k miles.
@Sadie
Thanks. I passed my 2009 Forester XT down to family after doing a full maintenance refresh, and it’s still running strong. Subaru engines hold up well.
Had mine for a few weeks and really like it. The ride is very quiet and smooth. I came from a RAV4, and the difference in cabin noise is huge. Handling feels a lot better too.
I was worried about the touchscreen, but it’s fine. The main controls stay up all the time, and the important ones (climate, volume, defogger) still have physical buttons.
@Bennet
Sounds like Subaru improved the interior a lot. Toyota might need to step up their game.
I have a 2023 Forester, but from what I’ve seen, the only real issue with the 2025 seems to be the infotainment system needing a software update for the heated seats.
Teo said:
I have a 2023 Forester, but from what I’ve seen, the only real issue with the 2025 seems to be the infotainment system needing a software update for the heated seats.
Appreciate the heads-up.
Only complaint so far: the horn beeps when using remote start. Not great when leaving for work at 4:30 AM.
Porter said:
Only complaint so far: the horn beeps when using remote start. Not great when leaving for work at 4:30 AM.
There should be a way to turn that off. Check the manual or a YouTube guide.
Been driving my 2025 Sport for three months now. Overall, I love it, but a few things could be better:
Other than that, no complaints!
@Bradley
That laggy touchscreen seems to be a common issue. Maybe a software update will fix it.
Came from a Toyota Tundra, and I love this. Fits in my garage easily, handles well, quiet at high speeds, 30ish MPG, and good space for car seats. No screen lag issues for me.
Foster said:
Came from a Toyota Tundra, and I love this. Fits in my garage easily, handles well, quiet at high speeds, 30ish MPG, and good space for car seats. No screen lag issues for me.
Big shift going from a truck to an SUV, but it makes everyday driving a lot easier.
Got a 2025 Sport recently. Love it so far. The bronze accents are a nice touch. Will update if any issues pop up.