The 2025 Subaru Forester arrives wearing new styling and improving its existing powertrain. The interior is quieter and a bit more posh, with all but the base trim receiving a new 11.6-inch multimedia touchscreen. Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) ensures year-round driving capability. A fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) helps keep operating costs to a minimum. Later in the model year, Subaru will introduce a hybrid engine option, further improving fuel economy and performance.
All of the Forester’s competitors offer front-wheel drive, which often means a lower base price. The Kia Sportage offers a better warranty, while the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V have a hybrid engine option that is not yet available (but coming) on the Forester.
What’s New:
The 2025 Subaru Forester is all new, with a rugged new look, more technology, improved performance, and a quieter cabin. The only trim that has yet to be updated is the Wilderness, which will carry over into 2025 using the 2024 model; an updated Wilderness and a hybrid model debut late in 2025.
Our Recommendation:
The Premium trim hits the sweet spot for features and price. If you’re looking for a great audio system, upgrade to the Sport and its optional Harman Kardon stereo. Luxury buyers should skip the Limited and go right to the Touring.
These are the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) and include the $1,395 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge). Prices are current at the time of publishing.
Forester Base
Starts at $31,090 | See 2025 Subaru Forester for Sale
- 2.5-liter engine with 180 horsepower
- Symmetrical AWD
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto with 7-inch screen
- Remote keyless entry
- 8.7 inches of ground clearance
- Steering-responsive LED headlights
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- 60/40-split folding rear seatback
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 4-speaker audio system
- See more
Forester Premium
Starts at $33,390 | See 2025 Subaru Forester Premium for Sale
- Heated front seats/mirrors
- Windshield wiper de-icers
- 11.6-inch multimedia touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- 10-way power driver’s seat
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Keyless access/push-button start
- Panoramic power moonroof
- X-mode AWD with Hill Descent Control
- Raised roof rails
- See more
Forester Sport
Starts at $35,890 | See 2025 Subaru Forester Sport for Sale
- Paddle shifters
- Bronze exterior trim with bronze accents
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- StarTex upholstery
- Sport styling enhancements
- Subaru SI-Drive with Intelligent and Sport Sharp modes
- Dual-function X-Mode AWD
- Blind-spot detection/rear cross-traffic alert
- Dual rear USB charging ports
- Low-profile roof rails
- See more
Forester Limited
Starts at $37,390 | See 2025 Subaru Forester Limited for Sale
- Leather upholstery
- 8-way power passenger seat
- Hands-free power tailgate
- Heated steering wheel
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Body-color side mirrors with turn signals
- One-touch folding rear seatbacks
- See more
Forester Touring
Starts at $41,390 | See 2025 Subaru Forester Touring for Sale
- Distraction mitigation system
- Gesture-controlled automatic climate control
- 360-degree Surround View Monitor
- Rear camera mirror
- Navigation
- Harman Kardon premium audio
- Power front seats with driver memory
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated rear seats
- See more
2025 Subaru Forester Base: $31,090
For 2025, the base Forester sees a nearly $2,700 price increase over the 2024 model. The price jump dissolves the Forester’s advantage over competitors like the AWD versions of the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Kia Sportage, which now cost about the same as the entry-level Forester. However, the price increase comes with perks, as the base model now has more standard equipment.
The Forester equipment roster begins with the EyeSight driver-assist suite, which now includes an additional camera for improved performance. The EyeSight bundle brings forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, lane-departure and sway warning, lead vehicle start alert, and Emergency Stop Assist, which can bring the vehicle to stop if it detects an incapacitated driver. Additional safety features include automatic vehicle hold, Rear Seat Reminder, automatic high beam headlights, an individual tire pressure monitoring system, and rearview monitor.
The base Forester features 17-inch alloy wheels, auto on/off steering responsive LED headlights, roof rails, remote keyless entry, variable front wipers, a rear wiper/washer, and power mirrors.
Climbing inside the cabin reveals manually adjustable front seats, cloth upholstery, a tilt/telescoping steering column, dual-zone automatic climate control with voice control, power windows with driver one-touch auto up/down, power door locks, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat.
The base Forester has two 7-inch touchscreens, one for the audio and the other for the climate controls and vehicle settings. The standard audio system features a 4-speaker AM/FM/HD Radio head unit, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, voice control, SiriusXM satellite radio (requires subscription), plus wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. A USB-A charge/data port and an auxiliary input jack grant access to the system.
Little touches often unnoticed include welcome lighting, cargo area LED lighting, dual visor vanity mirrors, and carpeted floor mats. The Forester also gets Subaru’s SI-Drive. With Intelligent and Sport modes, this system helps the Forester driver extract the best performance from the Forester’s 2.5-liter flat-4 engine.
On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the 2025 Subaru Forester monthly payment starts at $587. See 2025 Subaru Forester models for sale near you
2025 Subaru Forester includes:
Standard AWD – Standard AWD is one of the calling cards that people love about the Subaru brand. The Symmetrical AWD system in the Subaru Forester adds confident all-weather traction and better off-road chops than the average compact SUV.
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto – Who doesn’t like having convenient smartphone features in their vehicle?
Subaru EyeSight – This standard safety suite features adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.
2025 Subaru Forester Premium: $33,390
The Forester Premium represents an outstanding value. It provides loads of extra equipment for about $3,300 more than the Forester Base.
Building off the Base trim, the Premium adds dark-tinted rear privacy glass, Keyless Access with proximity key fob and push-button start (includes pin-code access), LED fog lights, a panoramic power moonroof, and a rear roof spoiler. X-Mode enhanced driver control comes standard, as does hill descent control. The All-Weather Package adds heated front seats, side mirrors, and windshield wiper de-icers.
The Premium cabin gains a 10-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, upgraded cloth upholstery, illuminated visor vanity mirrors, rear seat air vents, reclining rear seats with fold-down center armrest, a retractable cargo cover, auto up/down driver and front passenger windows, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The most noticeable upgrade is the 11.6-inch multimedia touchscreen with integrated climate and vehicle systems controls. This upgrade also brings a 6-speaker sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and access to Subarus’ Starlink Safety Plus (3-year free subscription) and Security Plus (6-month free subscription), which include features like vehicle maintenance reminders, remote start, and vehicle locater.
The Premium offers a $1,200 upgrade package that adds a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic detection, automatic emergency steering, and a foot-activated power liftgate.
On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the 2025 Subaru Forester Premium monthly payment starts at $630. See 2025 Subaru Forester Premium models for sale near you
2025 Subaru Forester Premium includes:
10-way driver’s seat – This power driver’s seat consists of a lumbar adjustment to help comfort your lower back on long trips.
11.6-inch touchscreen – The Premium’s big central display makes it easy to control systems, regulate temperature, and access apps via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
X-Mode AWD – This system helps with off-road driving by limiting wheelspin much more effectively than the basic AWD system of the entry-level Forester.
2025 Subaru Forester Sport: $35,890
The Sport adds more fun to the Forester with bronze accents, 19-inch bronze alloy wheels, simulated 8-speed transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters, and a more aggressive dual-function X-Mode system with settings for Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud.
The Sport builds off the Premium trim with optional driver assist systems (blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic detection, and automatic emergency steering), then adds low-profile roof rails and StarTex vinyl upholstery. The Sport’s SI-Drive adds Sport Sharp (Sport#) for quicker passing maneuvers.
The Sport offers a $1,700 option package that adds a foot-activated power liftgate, reverse automatic braking (RAB), and a 576-watt, 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the 2025 Subaru Forester Sport monthly payment starts at $677. See 2025 Subaru Forester Sport models for sale near you
2025 Subaru Forester Sport includes:
Blind-spot monitoring – This system warns of traffic in your rear flanks, making lane changes much safer. It’s grouped with rear cross-traffic alert, which warns of crossing traffic when the Forester is in reverse.
SI-Drive with Sport Sharp – You get an even quicker throttle response than in regular Sport mode.
Available Harman Kardon audio – If you love music, the Harman Kardon upgrade is a must. The setup includes 10 Harman Kardon speakers backed by a powerful 576-watt amp and a separate subwoofer.
2025 Subaru Forester Limited: $37,390
In the simplest description, the Forester Limited is a Forester Premium with a lot of upgrades. These include dark metallic machine-finished 18-inch alloy wheels, dark gray foldable mirrors (with integrated turn signals), and a foot-activated power liftgate. Also standard are a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic detection, and automatic emergency steering.
The Limited adds an 8-way power passenger seat, perforated leather upholstery with blue stitching, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, dual function X-Mode, rear seatback release levers, and stainless steel exhaust tips.
The only option package is a good one. For $1,600, you get navigation, reverse automatic braking, and the Harman Kardon audio system.
On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the 2025 Subaru Forester Limited monthly payment starts at $706. See 2025 Subaru Forester Limited models for sale near you
2025 Subaru Forester Limited includes:
Heated steering wheel – The Limited’s heated steering wheel makes winter driving without gloves a much more enjoyable endeavor.
Foot-activated power liftgate – You’ll grow to appreciate this quickly. Adjustable for height, the hands-free power liftgate activates with a simple swipe of your foot under the rear bumper.
8-way power passenger seat – This upgrade lets the passenger find a more comfortable seat placement. It’s nice to have if you regularly have a passenger on longer rides.
2025 Subaru Forester Touring: $41,390
The Touring trim is the top-of-the-line Subaru Forester. As such, it comes standard with all the Limited’s optional equipment and adds a few trim-specific upgrades.
Opt for the Touring, and you’ll get unique 19-inch wheels, a 360-degree Surround View Monitor, and perforated leather seating in a choice of Black or Saddle Brown. The Touring features ventilated front seats, a driver monitoring system, hand-gesture activated temperature adjustment, a tilt-down in reverse passenger mirror, heated rear seats, a rear camera mirror, and a 2-position driver’s seat memory.
On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the 2025 Subaru Forester Touring monthly payment starts at $781. See 2025 Subaru Forester Touring models for sale near you
2025 Subaru Forester Touring Includes:
DriverFocus—This distraction mitigation system uses facial recognition technology to determine whether the Forester Touring’s driver is drowsy or distracted.
Ventilated front seats – Circulating cool air through the seat backs and bottom helps keep passengers cool and dry.
360-degree monitor – The Touring’s Surround-View Monitor gives a 360-degree view outside the vehicle, helping the driver avoid out-of-sight obstacles on and off the road.
