It may come as a disappointment to many that the engine in the new Subaru Forester still isn’t turbocharged. The 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder mill produces 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, with power actually slightly down on the previous model’s 182 hp. This engine comes with the Lineartronic CVT transmission. On Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring trims, a manual mode with paddle shifters is available, mirroring the effect of a conventional eight-speed automatic. AWD and active torque vectoring are standard.
Based on the previous Forester, the 0-60 mph time will stay at around the eight-second mark. Subaru made no mention of another Wilderness trim, which previously had the best towing capacity of 3,000 lbs. Other 2024 trims can only tow 1,500 lbs, a likelier figure for 2025 equivalents.
The revised AWD system is said to deliver more agile handling and faster responses. On the Premium, a standard X-Mode assists with wheel control on inclines and slippery surfaces, while Sport trims and up have a dual-function X-Mode that boosts capability over a range of off-road surfaces. Incline start assist is standard.
Knowing that the 2025 Forester isn’t the sort of car to enamor the STI brigade, Subaru put a lot of energy into refining the driving experience. The CVT is said to be smoother and quieter, while better sound dampening results in a 39% drop in the rate of noise attenuation from the roof. The chassis, stiffened by 10%, and stronger welding techniques with more structural adhesive, result in improved body rigidity. In turn, this makes for a smoother ride and quieter interior.