The next couple of years will be significant ones for the compact crossover market. It could be said that the Honda CR-V was the first to lay down the gauntlet with most of its competitors getting full model changes within the next three years.
Among the Japanese automakers, the first one to clap back is Subaru with the sixth-generation Forester. It made its world premiere a few months ago, and now, there a little more information about it.
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The 2025 Subaru Forester rides on an evolution of the brand’s modular chassis. Simply dubbed the Subaru Global Platform (SGP), it shares the same basic structure as the redesigned Crosstrek, Impreza, and WRX. Unsurprisingly, it’s longer, taller, and wider than the outgoing model although its wheelbase is still the same at 2,670mm.
In terms of design, it’s an evolution of the last three generations of Forester. The large grille is flanked by more dynamic-looking upswept headlights, while the bumper features smoother and cleaner corners. It retains the large windows and relatively upright profile and the entire lower half of the body is covered in cladding. As for the rear, it’s yet another evolutionary take on past models.
Subaru bucks the trend of sticking screens everywhere by, well, not putting one at all on the instrument cluster. Okay, there’s a multi-information display in the center, but this one comes with a pair of analog gauges. Unlike the outgoing Forester and XV, the all-new model has a little more differentiation between it and its smaller counterpart, the Crosstrek. At first glance, it may look similar but the Forester has a flatter dash fascia and more angular door panels.
In typical (modern) Subaru fashion, the sixth-gen Forester has a tall vertical screen that serves as its infotainment system. Owners of more recent Subaru models might find the layout familiar as it’s used across the entire lineup. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Forester if it wasn’t available with a massive sunroof.
For North American versions at least, the redesigned Subaru Forester comes with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine. The block is shared with the base model Outback, but output in the Forester is rated at 180hp and 241Nm of torque. Of course, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard and there are now two-wheel drive models on offer. For international markets, it’s unknown if the 2.0-liter will still be offered or if the downsized 1.8-liter turbo will replace it.
It also remains to be seen if a high-performance version will make a comeback for this generation. One thing is confirmed, though, and that’s the optional hybrid powertrain slated for 2026.
