Subaru Forester

With more features and more capability than ever before, the current generation Subaru Forester is a solid choice for outdoor enthusiasts as well as being a popular pick for families. Subaru’s legendary symmetrical all-wheel drive offers confidence on the road or on the trail. 

The Subaru Forester was redesigned for the 2025 model year (except the Wilderness trim) with an eye toward offering more of the value and capability that have defined this model for over 25 years. The 2025 Forester comes with state-of-the-art driver-assistance features including EyeSight® collision mitigation, an available 360-degree camera system, and automatic emergency steering. 

Inside, the Forester seats up to five adults, with enough cargo space to support an active, outdoor lifestyle. Interior trims range from basic to luxurious, with heated leather front seats and available StarTex® water-repellent upholstery for more adventurous buyers. Dashboard tech includes a seven-inch, eight-inch, or 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation across the six trim levels.

For the first time, an all-new Forester Hybrid joined the lineup for 2025. This model still includes all-wheel drive but brings significantly better fuel economy than conventional models and a full-tank driving range of up to 581 miles

Among the most capable compact crossover SUVs on the market, Subaru’s Forester offers excellent value for the money. 

The fifth-generation Subaru Forester continued the high-value, high-capability strategy that made the prior generation so successful. All Subaru Forester models of this generation use a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission and Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. All trims except the base trim included the X-MODE® off-road traction and stability control system for increased off-pavement capability. 

In this generation, the Forester offered a standard 6.5-inch and optional eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, seating for five adults, and a variety of interior designs based on trim level. Buyers could choose from cloth, StarTex® waterproof upholstery, or leather. 

For the 2022 model year, Subaru gave the Forester a mild refresh and introduced the Forester Wilderness, with a taller ride height, off-road gearing, and a stronger set of roof rails designed to carry a roof-mounted tent. The X-MODE® driving feature is also enhanced in the Wilderness models.

The fourth-generation Forester was the last generation to offer a six-speed manual transmission. This generation also featured enhanced interior comfort and the debut of both X-MODE® and the EyeSight® driver-assistance system. 

The fourth-generation Subaru Forester’s new EyeSight driver-assistance system provided adaptive cruise control, pre-collision mitigation, and lane departure and sway control. 

This generation also saw the introduction of the X-MODE® off-road traction and stability control system. Initially, both X-MODE and EyeSight were offered only on top trim levels that used a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). For 2014, a six-speed manual transmission was available on base and Premium trim Foresters. All other trims included the CVT as standard. Premium and Touring trim buyers could also opt for a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine rather than the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder. 

The fourth generation benefited from improvements in comfort, with a larger cabin, more legroom, new seats, and higher-quality interior touch surfaces. The Forester received a light refresh for the 2017 model year, including new headlights, cabin noise reduction, and refinements in ride comfort. The 2017 and 2018 model years also offered an optional Rear Vehicle Detection package that included blind-spot monitoring, lane change assistance, and rear cross-traffic alert.