The latest Forester doubles down on Subaru hallmarks—standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, a calmer cabin, and upgraded driver assistance—wrapped in crisper styling and a sturdier structure. EyeSight is standard across the board, and newly available features like a 360-degree Surround View Monitor and expanded parking aids make tight garages and trailheads easier to navigate. Ground clearance remains generous (8.7 inches on core models), preserving the Forester’s “take-any-road” personality without giving up daily comfort.
Subaru now organizes Forester into two branches that add up to 10 trims for the 2025 model year: a six-trim gas line (Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Touring, Wilderness) and a four-trim Forester Hybrid line (Premium Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, Limited Hybrid, Touring Hybrid). The gas models carry the long-running 2.5-liter BOXER engine and Lineartronic CVT with standard AWD and X-MODE; the new hybrids add electric assist for improved efficiency while keeping long-range road-trip flexibility and all-weather traction. ( Subaru )
Gas (non-hybrid)
Base is the value anchor, pairing standard AWD and EyeSight with the essentials for commuters and first-time Subaru buyers. Premium layers in convenience upgrades and popular comfort features that make it the everyday sweet spot for many households. Sport adds bolder styling and a more athletic vibe while preserving the same easygoing ride and cargo friendliness. Limited moves into near-luxury territory with richer materials and more tech, and Touring tops the civilized side of the range with the fullest feature set and the quietest cabin tune. Finally, the Wilderness is the factory trail specialist—more clearance, tougher tires, and added underbody protection—aimed at drivers who regularly split time between pavement and rutted fire roads.
Wilderness: The Wilderness variant is built for backroads: 9.2 inches of ground clearance, revised approach/departure angles, a front skid plate, all-terrain tires on matte-finish wheels, and protective cladding. It retains the Forester’s user-friendly packaging—big doors, easy visibility, and plenty of tie-downs—while giving weekend explorers a little extra confidence and durability.
Hybrids
The new Forester Hybrid keeps Subaru’s standard AWD and adds electric assistance for higher city efficiency and quieter low-speed running—no charging required. Trims mirror the gas side: Premium Hybrid and Sport Hybrid cover value and style, Limited Hybrid steps up cabin finish and tech, and Touring Hybrid is the range’s flagship with the most comprehensive safety and convenience features. All hybrids preserve the Forester’s cargo practicality and trail poise, so choosing a hybrid is mostly about the driving pattern—lots of stop-and-go, urban errands, or school-day loops benefit most.
Safety and everyday ease:
Every Forester includes standard EyeSight driver assist, and newly available 360-degree camera views and parking aids reduce stress in tight spaces. The tall glasshouse and straightforward controls remain signature traits, while a more refined cabin and sound insulation make highway miles feel shorter. Families will appreciate wide-opening rear doors, a flat load floor, and the way Subaru bakes traction and visibility into every trim instead of putting them behind option paywalls.
How to choose:
Think in branches first. For shoppers who prize simplicity and proven hardware, the gas trims run from value (Base) to plush (Touring), with Premium as the everyday sweet spot and Limited/Touring as long-trip specialists; Sport dials up design, and Wilderness targets regular trail duty. For drivers who spend more time in city traffic or want the quiet glide of electric assist without plugging in, the Forester Hybrid trims mirror the same good/better/best ladder with higher efficiency. Either way, standard AWD, generous ground clearance, and a practical cabin are the through-line that keep Forester loyalists coming back.