Subaru presented the sixth generation Forester in Los Angeles, with divided opinions

It was officially premiered at the Los Angeles Motor Show. the sixth generation of the Subaru Forester, one of the most successful models of the brand, mainly due to its price/technology ratio, being a true offroad vehicle, and its practical design. Like Impreza, Crosstrek, and WRX, they are very strong evolutions of the previous platform. That doesn’t mean it’s a “facelift,” because the changes it shows come from planning to conceive a new model.

However, that is the point that is most important for this change: the design of the model has become very American.

Subaru Forester 2025: dimensions and design

• • Size: 4.656 mm

• • Height: 1.829 mm

• • Size: 1.730 mm

• • Wheelbase: 2,670 mm

• • Pour: 220mm

• • Cargo capacity: 838 L (on roof)

With the same dimensions, the new Forester maintains its traditional silhouette and proportions. However, it has a mixture of elements that do not gel well and take on a recognizable identity. For example:

• • The front is very large and attractive, perhaps too much for the rest of the model, and has an “Americanized” design. It is accompanied by a new optical group on two levels.

• • The bumper has trapezoidal moldings that remind us of the “airbumps” of some Citroën models.

• • In profile, the wheel arches are more square and are outlined by a crease in the fenders. It is replicated by the rear wheels, although with a different fold that is different from the front.

• • There is a cutout on the A-pillar and another on the D-pillar with the “Symmetrical AWD” badge. Along with the wheel arches, it most resembles a Toyota RAV4. You can customize the ceiling with a different color.

• • At the back, we have new design spotlights, joined by a thin black molding that crosses the door.

Depending on the version, we can also see different aesthetic accessories. For example, the Sport version has 19″ wheels and brass accents, while the Touring has two-tone wheels and gloss black accents. In the rest of the range, there are 17 and 18-inch wheels.

Subaru Forester 2025: interior and equipment

Although the base design is borrowed from the Crosstrek, it must be recognized that the perceived quality has increased. The photos, of course, focus on the most equipped versions, with two-tone upholstery with suede inserts and textured dashboard padding. It also receives an 11.6″ vertical screen with the Starlink system and lateral physical controls.

But there are other things that we do not see, such as the digital dashboard, which we know exists because it is equipped in Japan on many models of the brand. The trunk has grown a bit more thanks to a more vertical rear window. We can also find minor changes to the doors and seats to achieve more space and comfort. For example, the shoulder area is made slightly smaller to make turning more comfortable and to have a better panoramic view of the car. The air conditioning has been redesigned to concentrate more on the individual seats than on the general cabin.

And thanks to the repair of the structure and new insulating coatings, the soundproofing has improved significantly, especially the ceiling, by 39%, which is a critical area.

In equipment, depending on the version, we find:

• • Panoramic ceiling

• • Gesture opening the gate

• • Dual climate control

• • Access Keyless

• • Welcome light

• • “Heavy Duty” trunk hooks (8)

• • Wireless charger

• • Thermal package: mirror defroster and windshield wiper, plus heated seats

• • Ventilated seats on higher versions

• • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

• • backup camera

• • Browser (TomTom)

• • Connected services: SOS, vehicle tracking, maintenance or emergency notifications, vehicle health report, etc.

Subaru Forester 2025: safety

The safety standard is very high and echoes everything we’ve seen in the brand’s latest models, including:

• • Four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with ABS and EBD

• • Dynamic Stability Control (VDC)

• • Active Torque Vectoring (ATV)

• • ISOFIX

• • Electronic parking brake with AVH

• • Note to back seat passengers

• • Face recognition with fatigue detection

• • TPMS

• • 360° cameras are optional

• • Subaru EyeSight (ADAS with stereoscopic cameras) Thanks to the inclusion of a new camera, the system can even help avoid an accident, if the conditions allow, by helping to maneuver.
    • • Reverse automatic braking
    • • Rear Vehicle Detection System (SRVD)
        • • blind spot monitor
        • • Lane change assist
        • • Cross-Traffic Alert
    • • Pre-collision braking
    • • Pre-collision throttle control
    • • Start warning of the vehicle ahead
    • • Lane departure warning
    • • Lane-sway warning
    • • Emergency stop system if the driver does not respond to help. It is implemented safely, with emergency beacons, automatic calling of SOS services, and automatic opening of the door.

When the EyeSight system is combined with adaptive cruise control, the Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system can be activated.

2025 Subaru Forester: Powertrain

Unfortunately, the engine is carried over from the previous generation. It’s a 2.5-liter boxer, aspirated, with 180 HP and 241 Nm of torque: lower the power a little, increase the torque a little. All this is associated with a linear CVT box that can simulate 8 speeds and has a manual mode in the highest version. Two X-Mode systems are also available, one base and one with dual functions, assisting the AWD system.

As we have already mentioned, the base is the same as the Crosstrek and WRX; that is, it has gained rigidity, has more structural adhesives, and uses better steel. The construction design has changed to a more integrated (full inner frame). and the rack is adopted on the WRX steering wheel for more agile handling.

Of course, it is mentioned that the Forester will release a hybrid version later. We trust that this is a true hybrid and not an MHEV.

Subaru Forester 2025: marketing

We will see it in Chile, although we have to wait for the Forester to be released in Japan, where it is exported to our market. With its high demand, we are very lucky to receive it in 2024.

The Forester will, no doubt, continue to be a best-seller, and all the improvements will be very welcome, from the unmatched safety standard to its traction and performance, but… it’s hard to make it more beautiful.