2025 Subaru Forester Sport AWD: The Boxy Compact Vehicle Adds An All-New Hybrid Powertrain

 

Highlight: The compact Forester is available in a hybrid and a non hybrid configuration.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $39,415 (Base Premium MSRP): $38,015

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; AWD; front passenger sensors; a stability control system; traction control; incline assist; automatic emergency braking system; tire inflator/sealant kit; trailer ability assist; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment Sport Hybrid (on test vehicle): 19-inc wheels with a bronze finish; AWD; hybrid; pseudo leather seats with brown stitching; a dual zone automatic climate control system; a navigation system; a panoramic power moonroof; a partially reclining rear seat back; a remote keyless entry system; welcome interior lighting; and roof rails

Options: Premium Paint

Other Trim Levels:

Premium

Limited

Touring

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 11-speaker Harman Kardon AM/FM audio system with SiriusXM

Android/Apple CarPlay: Yes

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Hybrid Battery Warranty: 8-years or 100,000 miles

Engine/Horsepower (Test Vehicle): 2.6-liter,4-cyl./194-hp

Mileage: 35-city/34-hwy (test model)

Towing: 1,500 lbs

What’s New: In addition to a subtle new design language for the 2025 model year, Subaru added the brand’s second hybrid to their lineup, the all-new Forester hybrid.

Why:

Hybrid with a 581-mile driving range

Variety of trims

AWD standard

9-inches of ground clearance

Great visibility

Comfortable seats

Great sound system

A high level of safety driving aids

A co-pilot assist highway driving system

Heated front seats

A brake hold feature

A power panoramic roof with sunshade

A 360-degree camera

A power rear liftgate

Wireless smartphone charging

A new 12-inch infotainment screen

But:

A boxy, station wagon-like design still looks like the previous generation Forester

The radar activated co-pilot steering system was overly sensitive (e.g. requiring two hands on a steering wheel)

Verdict: For the 2025 model year, the redesign Forester is one of two Subarus outfitted with a fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain. So, not only does the Forester wear a subtle new design language, but the popular station wagon-like crossover adds its first hybrid powertrain.

The fuel-efficient Subaru, with approximately 9-inches of ground clearance for off-roading, is capable of achieving an eye-popping 581 miles on a full tank. 

At a starting price of $38,300, the all-wheel drive crossover is available in several trims. Depending on the trim, the Forester can be outfitted with such features as a panoramic moonroof, a navigation system, leather-like seats and a high-level of safety driving aids.

In order to jump into a hybrid model, one will need to shell out an additional $3,200 when  compared to the gasoline trim. Unlike the gasoline fueled Forester, there is no base hybrid model, which drives up the starting price of the hybrid. The Forester hybrid bests the gasoline only model by 19 additional horsepower underneath the hood.

So, for those who value more miles on a tank of gas, the new hybrid model might be the route to consider albeit Toyota's RAV4 hybrid offers slightly better fuel mileage, according to fueleconomy.gov. On the other hand, the Forester offers more ground clearance than the Toyota RAV4 hybrid, making the compact a better fit for those planning to use the vehicle for off-road adventures.

Competition: Toyota RAV4 Woodland hybrid and Honda CR-V hybrid