The 2025 Subaru Forester is now here, and it looks….moderately different than the old one. The engine is possibly even less different, as it’s basically the same 2.5-liter Boxer mated to a — you guessed it — Continuously Variable Transmission. But there is a new interior. Here, let’s just take a look at this new machine:
OK, let’s start by looking at the outgoing Forester:
And here’s the new one, whose front end I personally thinks looks…possibly less modern than the outgoing one but whose side profile I think looks great:
Maybe the press images will change my mind, since it’s comparing apples to apples:
Ah OK, that front press picture is a bit better; I’m not sure if it’s an improvement (maybe the rear end is), but the new interior is — with its 11.6-inch touchscreen — plus it gets Wireless CarPlay, which is a big deal for Subaru owners.
Subaru says a hybrid variant is coming next year; Autopian Publisher Matt Hardigree, who owns a 2.5-liter CVT Forester, has told me to write a headline that says “You should wait for the hybrid” because he’s tired of filling up his Forester all the time with expensive New York gasoline. He has a point. A hybrid Forester will print money. You might want to wait for that.
This is breaking news, so this article is still being updated.
All the white smoke is foreshadowing of the failed head gaskets in its future.
I remember back when Subarus were known for running forever until the car was rusted to bits.
This is so macho for Subaru. Like they’re running away from their own brand. The overall styling looks like a Ford Edge running away from a Rav 4. And please don’t give me Forester ads about safety – just this week, the IIHS showed that tall, blunt front ends like this greatly increase severity of pedestrian collisions. Great timing, guys!
It looks the same size as the Ascent. What happened to having a mid-size SUV?
It’s within an inch of the outgoing model, which is over a foot shorter than the Ascent.
Here’s a question for the technically minded. There are a few engines that are described as basically the same over the years. Like the Subaru 2.5, maybe the Chevy small block, the iron duke, etc.
Are those literally the same from the beginning to the end of their run? Same size, parts, belts, etc? Or do they ever change a bit over time as engineers improve them?
They definitely change. Subaru has added things like direct injection and variable valve timing over the years. There are also many variations of the engines that have different cooling configurations in the block as well as various different rods and pistons and such. I’m not familiar enough with their engines to comment of anything like whether or not they’ve changed the bolt pattern of the bell housings over the years, the mounting points, etc. Those would tell whether or not they can be swapped from car to car.
Power output hasn’t changed much since my 2004 Forester. MPGs have improved, but at the cost of a CVT.
It looks like a Ford with an Outback butt. Or a generic “SUV” in brandless instructional print materials.
The Forester was distinctive, with that slab back. Now it’s … Unidentifiable.
Whatever makes a Subaru a Subaru, this thing doesn’t have any.
The old (’23) Forester is/was an abomination. So convoluted, and with terrible proportions. I am a designer and I literally don’t understand how they could have possibly sketched that, sculpted it in clay and thought- yes, this is good, lets get the execs in here to show them.
This new one is certainly better, but still not a good looking vehicle. The proportions seem to work a bit better and the body lines on the sides of the vehicle are more controlled and intentional looking than before.
Hybrid (no thanks) or plug-in hybrid (yes, please)?
The wheel arches make it look so cheap. I don’t get what they were thinking.
If this is a brand new hybrid powertrain and not the Crosstrek one then you might want to wait more than a year.
It is my understanding that this is Toyota sourced hybrid technology, so hopefully fewer hiccups in the beginning.
I can’t with Subaru. Why won’t they just let the 2.5 die?? This makes the 4 liter in the 4Runner seem like new tech.
I actually kinda like Subarus, but I wouldn’t buy one because I hate the powertrain.
Same. They’re so underpowered and wheezy. They should have my name all over them but with that powertrain, it’s not happening.