My wife drives a '22 Forester Touring ('19 Limited before that). We have chosen Forester due to its simplicity, great gas mileage, more bang for your buck when considering standard features in comparison to competitors, capability in any terrain, reliability, safety features/ratings, the ability to safely put a car seat in any of the three seats in the second row, and its value retention. As a bonus I would also like to mention that the Eyesight system has provided the best Adaptive Cruise Control experience when compared to other vehicles I've personally driven with ACC. In this review I would have liked to have seen Alex touch on value retention, ground clearance, and safety ratings a little more as those are major selling points for the Forester, in addition to the other points made in the video. One of the controversial things that we actually like about Subaru (specifically the Forester) is that they remain true to themselves, and it works for them. They don't go out of their way to make a boxy/rugged looking street cruiser with screens everywhere in the interior just because it's trendy, and Subaru gets to maintain reasonable prices as a result. The Forester is more capable than a lot of the rugged looking competition, and at the end of the day that's what matters more to us, but I could see why people who care more about looks and power under the hood would maybe look elsewhere. We do a lot outdoors (live in Colorado) and the Forester has always performed well. The AWD has always been great, and the ground clearance allowed us to get to places to camp where we wouldn't have otherwise been able to get to if driving a competitor. We have never had a problem with the CVT in either of the two models we've owned.

We have a 2019 Forester. Bought new in 2018. Now has 104,000 miles. Zero problems.

Finally one of the reviewers worked out how to use the Forester reclining rear seats! congrats!

The touchscreen that does almost everything is a big mistake!

Still driving my 2015 XT Forester, still goes well so no need to upgrade.

Minus the huge center screen, I would have believed this came out in 2008.

You guys provide the most useful content per minute of viewing than any other KZfaq channel. Kudos!

This was one of the most thorough car reviews, not to mention first looks, I’ve ever seen. Well done.

The Sport trim does have keyless entry and push button start. The base model has a regular key.

According to my research with the last generation of Forester the steering responsive headlights became standard on all trims in 2021.

My belief is losing the tactile buttons and knobs is a mistake. I'll keep my 2024 and maybe buy a spare.

Alex, If I remember correctly, the 'tall, tall greenhouse" of the Forester used to offer the most headroom in the class. 🤔

I see all those cameras and I wonder why vehicle MFG's don't allow us to plug in a flash drive and use one of those cameras as a dash cam rather than having extra wires dangling around field of view.

The conversation about the turbo subject, which was casually glossed over, didn't include WHY Subaru offers the turbo in the Outback but not the Forester. All we hear about was how the XT didn't sell. It did when they had them but they didn't market them and they rarely kept them in stock. I bought 2 of them and had to wait each time. Give us a choice and let us decide, just like you do for the Outback.

Finally a reviewer that didn’t say this cargo capacity was larger then last gen. Not sure if I would rather have the 34+ cargo space or rear passenger space.

Laying down in back was a nice touch, showing you are not lazy like most automotive journalists..

Loved our 2016 Forester. Unfortunately, it adopted our son when he graduated. Still going strong despite urban commuting & camping trips.

Love Subaru have a 2016 forester , absolutely no problems at all have 125,000 miles plan to do 200,000 , and buy a new forester again, not even looking at anything else .

I enjoyed your video though I'd love to hear more about the changes to the eyesight system (besides the extra camera). I currently own a 2020 Subaru Sport, I love the car but there's lots to improve in the eyesight system.

The front looks like a Ford

Give me a turbo and a proper automatic transmission and I would seriously consider this. Without those, it's a hard pass.

Love that they keep the analog gauges.

Do you know when they will come out with the new Outback?? Thank you for the videos!!

I’d love for them to add capability of changing the gauge light colors.

We just bought a new 2024 Nissan Rogue mostly because of the screen size compared to the gigantic screen of the newSubaru’s. we looked at both the Forester and the outback, and they were way too big for us. Plus, they no longer have physical buttons for many of the functions.

Alex mixed Crown upload with Forestor 🤪

I’m holding onto my 2015 6mt Forester, because I love the manual, and longevity is important to me. Make a 6mt available on the Sport, and I’m there, ready to sign.

I feel Subaru failed on the exterior styling on the 2025 compared to the previous generation. Nice to see they kept the horizon blue pearl color option though.

Current Forester owner- not gonna trade it in for this

I'm assuming the Subaru hybrid will be based on the Toyotas hybrid max system . Not the dual motor E cvt setup....

Many worthwhile improvements apparently held back by a lackluster (if improved) engine. Perhaps the top secret Htbrid version will help this vehicle pass and drive in mountains as well as save fuel? Even with better suspension, 19" wheels and skinnier tires won't help with potholes or very rough roads.

I own a current eboxer Forester. New gen is interesting and I’d like to upgrade to in when hybrid comes in. Subaru kept the things I like and added things I care about. Besides the obvious things mentioned, the front surfaces under the windshield is not more horizontal. I use often when eating on the road trips 😂❤

How does this stack up against something like the new Tucson?

i was expecting you to test drive the stability on the trails, that would have been great

i actually like the analong instrument cluster

1:15 Is the video playing tricks on me or are the headlights two different colors?

10:02 I find it funny that the sunglass holders take up so much space IMO

Is a Boxer motor good? It can be. Honda Goldwing motorcycles are renowned for longevity. They used Boxer engines since the 1980's and you can find some with literally a million miles on the odo.

On fourth Suby and absolutely ..... absolutely no oil usage ! Looking forward to the upcoming.... purchased my new 2023 Forester in Helena ... had two flats in the first 2 months because of the c**p tires Subaru is determined to put on the Forester. Love the car.

I am hoping that Subaru puts a turbo in the new Wilderness model. If my car doesn't last until the new Wilderness comes out, would you recommend the 2024 Forester Wilderness or the 2025 Forester Sport?

Did you take down the crownsignia review?

@11:35 Pretty sure you mean Base model. No way the Premium gets push button start below the Sport and then the Sport gets a downgrade back to a physical key.

.Alex said the average Subi owner keeps their car 8 or 9 years, in my case I still have my 2011 Outback ( since new). My 2011 was my first Subi. I like it so much that I've ordered the 2025 Forester Sport & hope to have it delivered by August. My daughter will get the Outback once I get the Forester.

Very curious about the future Wilderness version. That might be a great choice.

If the moon roof is all the way opened it will bring the shade with it back all the way when you close it. So it really is auto and manual

Did you have any issues with the wireless charging pad, saw driving sports tv video and say he had issues when charging his phone wirelessly

Glad you got to review sort of a mid-trim level.

And who would be the Distributor/Installer in the U.S.? As far as I know, there is no Aftermarket Turbo/Supercharger available for the Subaru 2.5 L Engine!

The wheel design + frame rate makes @5:17 a little trippy

What a cool snowy - gravel path. Where is it?

Does blind spot system beep on the new Forester to alert the driver?? Honda, mazda, hyundai, kia, chevy offer the audible beep.

I really like the looks especially the front and the rear windows lost the wedge look.

I hope to the Stars, as in the ones in the Subaru logo, that the exhaust outlet delete is the harbinger of the return of the XT turbo--not the JDM 1.8L XT but the 2.5L XT. I have a '21 Crosstrek with 56K miles and I'm thinking Golf R or WRX either in a MT. I rather have a XT Forester and I'll even take it in a CVT.

Alex, another outstanding review, thank you. I have a '22 Forester Premium with which I am completely happy. It is my 2nd Subaru - previously owned an '84 Hatchback which had a 1600cc engine, 4-speed manual, FWD, and it was the most inexpensive model at that time, yet it ran like a champ and got 42 MPG on the highway.

I want to see the next gen wilderness as a hybrid by default, as long as they keep it a mechanical awd setup.

How is the driver knee room?

Edit: Best Fordster Ever!

I just started wondering it the "extra space/height" under the hood is allowing for extra space requirements for the Hybrid system..............

Is it true that the automatic braking is always on, unless disabled every restart of the car?

Upgrade that infotainment to a modern processor and still a real engine in it, and I’d probably buy one. A hybrid may have potential.

Something I don’t understand in 2024 is why updated cars are still coming with USB-A ports, also this doesn’t seem to be groundbreaking and like Subaru went all out, seems conservative to just try and do enough to maintain marketshare

I have long admired Subaru, and always wanted to get one. They used to have high fuel consumption, and then they suffered from low power (seemingly to combat the consumption). This update looks like a shift to mainstream taste, but it doesn't seem they have been able to improve the engine much. Hoping that the hybrid tie up with Toyota will help. The bloated design on the new Forrester makes the crosstrek look more appealing to me.

Does the Mazda CX-5 / Cx-50 not sell well with its turbo? I personally would've loved to have the XT back as an option.

Well that third camera kind of stinks cuz I put my dash cam right behind the rearview mirror so now when I have issues with that I have a 21 Crosstrek with the eyesight but right now there's no third camera so I got plenty room for my dash cam

I don't know how the oil consumptions a problem I got three Subarus I run Amsoil and all of them and they don't drop at all between oil changes every 10,000 mi

Definitely saw some Ford Explorer, but for me it was the headlights. LED brake lights is incredibly low on my list of priorities for a car. Not a fan of frameless windows...on any car

Drops the TCV, I am told, in another YT video. Going back to the old thermostat sounds like a good way to go.

I purchased a 24 forester sport 3 weeks ago over the 25 due to the big screen and I don't buy first run new model years. I would think the sun glare on that huge screen would be problematic trying to find buttons while driving. I love the knobs and layout of the 24 controls. I can adjust the temp or fan without looking down. You cant do that on the screen.

Subaru did not have any problem selling the XT Forester in our area. They sold off the lot as soon as they hit. The real reason they stopped was that they took away from their Outback sales. The Forester needs a selection of engine offerings; the base engine, their turbo, and a hybrid option would be great. But, a plug-in hybrid would be fantastic. It is one of the best compact offerings on the market today except that they only offer a base, to me, anemic engine offering. Excellent and comprehensive video.

Idk why Subaru acts like they have no money. That screen and gauge cluster was slow and outdated in 2020, why is it still new in 2025? 😒

Great review, it would be nice if all of Alex's review were in Montana. Beautiful scenery. Below is another rant about CVTs and fake shifts with paddles. Why do manufacturers keep putting paddles on everything thing. This thing has a CVT, it doesn't have anything to shift! So let me get this straight. Subaru puts in a CVT and then imitates shifting, which actually makes it slower? Why? Just make the CVT, no gimmicks. Spend that fake shifting budget on something else, please.

i hope their hybrid is some variant of a toyota hybrid engine with the toyota ECVT. Because subaru's last hybrid, the crosstrek wasn't tall that popular. And making available only as its very top trim and most expensive was a failure. Rav4 hybrid is popular because they had a hybrid for every trim model from the lowest to its highest. with its more popular being its low-mid to mid tier hybrids. Somehow, I think subuaru's decision for its hybrid will be another dropped ball and they'll make it on some non sensical most expensive trim model yet again with 90% of the stuff I don't want and having it at high 30s low 40s.

I don't like how they raised the hood so much compared to prior generations. The really low hoodline and the upright windshield is, or was, what made foresters so great. The visibility offered by Forester is unmatched by any other car, not so sure about that anymore.

Hey, where did the Crown Signia video go?! I wanted to attack you on a deeply personal level for saying "storageability", but ...no video, no comments, nothing!

My DIL just ditched her 2010 Forester because of a multitude of repairs that needed to be addressed that far exceeded the value of the vehicle.

Since it isn't a turbo, can you burn 87 octane?

The take rate for the old Forester Turbo was not high. The issue with the old Turbo was it used Premium fuel. Put the 2.4 liter turbo from the Outback in it (using regular fuel) and it will sell.

welps the CROWN INSIGNIA is what I will wait for

I see the crown signia video is gone

Hello, will they be including a hybrid trim. Fuel efficiency is the only downside of a Subaru these days.

This is a disaster for me when i was college student in yrs of 1999-2003 it" asked" me stay all day long along side of the road most of the time.

I heard this was gonna have ventilated front seats (Touring trim only I think) which is great since Subaru only offered VFS on very limited units and trims. I hope it'll also be in the wilderness trim!

When will Subaru wake up and allow for full size spare? In my Crosstrek'24 the space is too small by 1 inch, press a larger space please!!!!! How can they sell an "Adventure"/ off-road vehicle with a toy spare...

The redesigned front end loses some of the Forester identity. Also it needs more horsepower. A 0-60 of 10 seconds was acceptable in the 90s.

How many people are using a phone/ipad from 4-5 years ago without issues? I doubt these all in 1 control screens will last past warranty without needing replacement for something stupid not working that could have been a button

I think it looks great!! But I wonder why people would get this over a Passport, beshides the cost which is probably 5-7k more expensive. The next gen Passport with the Pilot drivetrain is going to be a good hit I think for Honda.

We had two different (2000 & 2013) Foresters spanning 22 years. We’d probably still be driving one had Subaru offered a plug in hybrid version.

I own a 2011 and a 2017 subaru. I find it pretty boring that almost all subarus now have almost the same interior. Also why have 2 different videos for the forester. Subaru should have released the hybrid info too

No push button start in the Sport? For real?

As an owner of a 2023 Subaru Forester, I will admit this new one has some pros and cons compared to the old one. For one, it seems a little more grown up in the way it rides and drives overall as pointed out in the review. It also seems like Subaru has added more comfort features that were lacking in the old generation. It seems like it's better equipped to take on the heavy hitters like the Rav4 and CRV, and should be a top seller. Thing is, can the Forester still sell well without alienating its core loyal buyers of the past? Some of those buyers, especially the current generation really loved the functional simplicity of the car and hated the new do-it-all touchscreen. They also loved that boxy toaster shape and that's kind of gone. Overall, it'll still sell well and likely steal some Rav4/CRV buyers, but will the Forester fans like this new one?

another great review Alex, love your channel. Why the lower HP and higher torque? It's not like we're going to tow anything substantial with the Forester.

25:40 Subaru is relaible and functional Toyota and Honda way better In front of new Rav4 and Crv, this forester will look like your dad's car Subaru maintenance is also very high

I love ❤️ the look, + Made in Japan. Wow!!

I feel the data is skewed. If they offered more powerful turbo engines in base trims, turbos would be chosen more.

Really really not a fan of the look on this forester. If the rest of the Subaru line ups follow suite I’ll have to back to Honda. Love what they did with their new CRV

If Subaru didn’t want to alienate customers they shouldn’t have made it look like an Explorer. You should also have an option if you DO or DONT want the huge screen.

Forrester driver here but my next vehicle will not be gas powered. My family is on our third and likely last Subaru. It's a bummer Subaru has lagged so much bringing real EV options to their lineup.

I hope it gets a true hybrid and not a plug in. I have zero interest in a plug in. But, I also expect that hybrid versions will be very hard to come by for quite some time after they come out. Hopefully Subaru has plans to produce a lot of them. Overall, not crazy on the redesign, but I do love Foresters so I guess I’ll need to see one in person.

If you want a turbo, why not just go for the Outback XT?

Our last two cars have been Foresters and we love the design, quality and interior of the car BUT I swore that without a more powerful engine, we would be looking elsewhere. We just closed on a Kia Sportage and the more powerful engine was a big part of our decision.