Subaru Forester 2025 vs. Subaru Forester 2024: What’s New

The Subaru Forester has long been a staple in the compact SUV category, celebrated for its reliable performance, rugged capability, and family-friendly design. As Subaru rolls out the sixth generation of this iconic vehicle with the 2025 Forester, it introduces several key updates that aim to modernize the SUV without sacrificing its traditional strengths. From exterior design changes to interior upgrades and enhanced technology, the 2025 model promises an elevated driving experience. I

Exterior Design: Evolution of the Forester’s Look

2024 Forester

The 2024 Forester featured a conservative, yet appealing design. It maintained its familiar compact SUV shape with a slightly rounded profile, offering a sleek, aerodynamic look. The front fascia boasted Subaru’s signature hexagonal grille, flanked by diamond-shaped LED headlights. The flared bumpers and sculpted body lines gave the vehicle a solid, athletic stance, while its higher ground clearance—especially in the Wilderness trim—made it off-road capable. The 2024 model came with standard roof rails, which added to its versatility, making it a favorite for adventurers and those who regularly haul gear.

2025 Forester

For 2025, Subaru has taken the Forester’s exterior design in a more modern direction. The new model showcases a more squared-off rear, offering stronger body lines that make it more assertive. The grille has been enlarged, giving the front end a more imposing and rugged appearance. The bumpers have been slimmed down and now feature a more angular, aggressive look. The wedge-style headlights are larger and feature a bold LED light strip across the top, adding to its futuristic appeal. The sides of the 2025 Forester also received attention, with more pronounced fender flares and a sharper profile.

For adventure enthusiasts, the 2025 Forester Wilderness stands out even more, boasting 9.2 inches of ground clearance (up from the standard 8.7 inches), rugged all-terrain tires, and additional body cladding to handle rougher terrain with ease.

Verdict: The 2025 Forester presents a more modern and aggressive look, with bold design changes that make it more eye-catching on the road. While the 2024 model remains visually appealing, the 2025 version provides a refreshing update for those seeking a more contemporary SUV.

Engine and Performance: Enhancements for Driving Dynamics

2024 Forester

Under the hood of the 2024 Forester is a 2.5-liter flat-four “boxer” engine that produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. It comes paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, which ensures excellent traction in various weather conditions. The 2024 Forester is known for its capable off-road performance, particularly in the Wilderness trim, which offers extra ground clearance and all-terrain tires. However, its on-road performance is more focused on comfort than driving excitement. The suspension is tuned to absorb road imperfections, making for a smooth and comfortable ride, but its handling lacks the sharpness found in sportier SUVs.

2025 Forester

The 2025 Forester retains the same 2.5-liter flat-four engine but with a slight decrease in horsepower, now delivering 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. However, Subaru has made some significant upgrades to the Forester’s handling and driving dynamics for 2025. It now features an electric power-steering rack, which is borrowed from the Subaru WRX sports sedan. This new steering system is designed to offer more precise handling, especially when navigating tight corners or winding roads. Additionally, the 2025 Forester’s chassis has been stiffened, improving overall stability and reducing body roll when cornering. While the 0-60 mph time remains similar at around 8.3 seconds, these refinements make the 2025 Forester feel more controlled and composed on the road.

Subaru has also announced that a hybrid powertrain will be introduced later in 2025, which will offer even better fuel efficiency for eco-conscious drivers.

Verdict: While both models share similar powertrains, the 2025 Forester’s enhanced steering and chassis upgrades result in a more refined driving experience. If handling and driving precision are important to you, the 2025 model is the better choice. The upcoming hybrid version is also a notable addition for those seeking better fuel economy.

Interior and Comfort: Modern Upgrades for a Quieter, Roomier Cabin

2024 Forester

The 2024 Forester offered a practical and comfortable interior, with seating for five passengers and ample cargo space. The cabin was designed with durability in mind, featuring hard-wearing materials that could withstand daily use. Most trims featured an 8-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, as well as a simple, user-friendly interface. The cargo area behind the second row provided up to 28.9 cubic feet of space, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. This made the 2024 Forester an excellent choice for those needing plenty of storage for gear, groceries, or luggage.

2025 Forester

The 2025 Forester takes interior comfort and technology to a new level. Subaru has focused on improving the cabin’s quietness, adding more sound-dampening materials to reduce road and wind noise. The interior design has also been modernized, featuring higher-quality materials, especially in the higher trims, where leather upholstery and suede accents are available. One of the most notable upgrades is the new 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen that comes standard on all but the base trim. This screen is larger and more intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The 2025 model also introduces a two-zone climate control system and a hands-free power tailgate as standard across all trims.

Cargo space has been slightly improved, with 75 cubic feet available when the rear seats are folded. The rear seats still offer a 60/40 split configuration, allowing for versatile storage options. Additionally, Subaru has redesigned the seats for better long-distance comfort, making the 2025 Forester a more pleasant place to spend time during road trips.

Verdict: The 2025 Forester’s interior offers significant improvements in both comfort and technology, making it the clear winner for those who prioritize a modern cabin with the latest features. If a quieter, more refined driving environment is important to you, the 2025 model is the way to go.

Technology and Infotainment: A Bigger, Better Screen

2024 Forester

The 2024 Forester came equipped with Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen on most trims. The system was compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, providing easy smartphone integration. While the infotainment system was functional and easy to use, it lacked some of the advanced features seen in competitors. Higher trims offered additional tech like a Harman Kardon sound system, but overall, the tech package was relatively simple.

2025 Forester

The 2025 Forester makes a big leap in the technology department, with an 11.6-inch touchscreen now standard on most trims. This larger screen enhances usability and offers a more premium in-car experience. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, eliminating the need for cumbersome cables. Additionally, a wireless charging pad is available to keep devices powered on the go. The system is faster, more responsive, and features better graphics compared to the previous generation. The upgraded Starlink system also includes enhanced voice recognition and over-the-air updates for software improvements.

Safety technology has also been upgraded for 2025. All trims now include Subaru’s advanced driver assistance systems, such as forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. New for 2025 is evasive steering assist, which helps the driver maneuver around obstacles in emergency situations.

Verdict: The 2025 Forester takes a significant step forward in terms of technology, with a larger and more advanced infotainment system, enhanced smartphone connectivity, and improved safety features. If having the latest tech is important to you, the 2025 model is the clear choice.

Safety Features: Enhanced Driver Assistance

2024 Forester

The 2024 Subaru Forester was already known for its safety, coming standard with Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. This system included features like adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot detection, and a DriverFocus system, which uses facial recognition to alert the driver if they are showing signs of drowsiness or distraction. These features helped the 2024 Forester maintain high safety ratings, making it a top choice for families.

2025 Forester

The 2025 Forester builds on this solid foundation with some key additions. Evasive steering assist is a new feature for 2025, helping drivers avoid obstacles more effectively during emergencies. The driver monitoring system has been improved, with better sensitivity to detect signs of fatigue or distraction. Standard across the lineup are features like forward collision monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. These improvements further enhance the Forester’s reputation as one of the safest compact SUVs on the market.

Verdict: The 2025 model offers slight improvements in safety technology, particularly with the addition of evasive steering assist and upgrades to the driver monitoring system. While both model years are extremely safe, the 2025 Forester offers marginally better protection thanks to

Final Thoughts: Should You Upgrade?

If you’re looking for the latest in technology, a more modern design, and improved handling, the 2025 Subaru Forester is a great upgrade. With features like a soon-to-arrive hybrid powertrain and a larger infotainment screen, it’s ideal for those who value fuel efficiency and seamless in-car connectivity. The quieter, more luxurious interior also makes it a top choice for long drives and family trips.

At Richard Lucas Subaru, we’re committed to making your car-buying experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Our knowledgeable sales team will work with you to find the perfect Subaru to fit your lifestyle. With a variety of special deals and financing options, we make it easy to get behind the wheel of a brand-new Subaru. Visit Richard Lucas Subaru today and schedule a test drive!