First Drive: 2025 Subaru Forester Ratchets Up the Refinement
Beneath the brawnier styling is a quieter cabin and even more functionality
The redesigned sixth-generation Subaru Forester continues with its core virtues of great outward visibility, easy functionality, a roomy cabin, and standard all-wheel drive. Looking past the new styling with its chunky fender flares, beefier grille, and slick headlights, the most significant change to this small SUV may be the increased use of sound deadening in the interest of a quieter cabin—long a weak point for the Forester.
Subaru says that both the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) have been retuned and refined. But if you were expecting big power gains, think again; the “flat-four” engine (also known as horizontally opposed, due to the unique cylinder layout) has actually lost 2 horsepower along the way, now down to 180. But it benefits from slightly more low-end torque, which is important for everyday drivability.
After a few days driving a 2025 Forester Touring (the top-shelf trim) that we rented from Subaru, we think the new model is a big improvement in terms of its quieter engine and more hushed cabin. The engine won’t impress a single soul with its power, but we appreciate that its delivery is smooth and predictable.
