Subaru Forester Review and Links
Official 2025 Forester Touring gallery, click images to enlarge
Planet-exclusive 2025 Forester Wilderness gallery. Click pictures to enlarge.
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Forester in One Sentence:
Go for the Forester if you want utility and all-weather prowess of a sport utility vehicle without the sacrifices in cost, fuel economy, ride, and poor outward visibility.
Overview:
Forester is considered a "compact sport utility vehicle." It shares a "platform" with the Crosstrek. (A platform is the chassis----the frame, or basic underpinnings of a car.) It is taller and longer than Crosstrek but has the same ground clearance. It has more interior room than the Crosstrek because of the extra height, and the body overhangs the axles farther. It comes in several trim levels, from well equipped to ridiculously well equipped. Starting with the 2025 model year, it is available with a hybrid powertrain.
Price:
They are priced from the low $30s to the low $40s.
What's new for 2025?
- See what's new
Shopping used? We have a page showing what was new for each model year:
Resources:
Search our inventory for your Forester:
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Planet Exclusive Comparisons:
- Compare Forester with Outback
- Compare Forester with Crosstrek
- See the Planet-exclusive quick model comparison chart
Foresters through the years:
| 2025 and newer | Subaru stiffened the chassis by 10% to improve ride and handling, further refined the award-hogging Eyesight driver assistance technology, installed an 11.6" infotainment system with wireless CarPlay/AndroidAuto capability, and even added a kick sensor for the rear tailgate. |
 2019 and up | The first Forester built on Subaru's "Global Platform," handling agility improves and cabin noise decreases. It's Subaru's safer-ever Forester, loaded with technology including first-in-its-class DriverFocus, a driver-distraction mitigation system. Eyesight active safety suite is standard. Horsepower increases to 182 and fuel economy lifts to 33mpg highway. |
 2014 through 2018 | Slightly larger inside and out than the generation it replaces, Subaru literally cannot build enough to satisfy demand as their factories are running extra shifts. Introducing a continuously variable transmission lifted fuel economy to 32 mpg from 27. Other new features include the Eyesight driver assistance system, power tailgate, and X-Mode traction control. Outward visibility remains tops in the industry. |
 2009 through 2013 | Prior Foresters felt a little cramped, but sales took off with this larger Forester, bigger than its predecessor in every dimension. Subaru poured on the technology, with standard Vehicle Dynamics Control and six airbags. Optional equipment included touchscreen navigation and Bluetooth. |
 2003 through 2008 | Size remained the same, but Subaru modernized everything. Side air bags became standard on every model, the interior moved upscale, ride quality improved, and appearance moved from utilitarian to stylish. |
 1998 through 2002 | Subaru created the Forester on the Impreza platform, installing a square body and bigger engine. Along with the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V (both introduced in 1997), Subaru pioneered the "Small Crossover" segment. It combined the ride height, style, and versatility of a truck-based SUV without the poor fuel economy and sloppy handling. |
Exclusive Planet Benefits:
- Friendly staff and your undealership experience
- The exclusive Planet Passport Program...tires for life, loaners, and much more!
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