Archived model-year dossier
2025 Subaru Forester
The 2025 Subaru Forester's FuelEconomy.gov record holds 4 EPA certification records across 4 model/option labels (Forester AWD, Forester Hybrid AWD, +2 more), spanning All-Wheel Drive drivetrain and Regular fuel type across 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl SIDI, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI; Hybrid). EPA classifies it under Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD vehicle class, built on Conventional, Hybrid powertrain technologies. Across those configurations, expect combined efficiency of 26–35 MPG/MPGe, an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,800–$2,400/yr. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 93 owner complaints for this model year. The site covers 6 model years of the Subaru Forester, 2015 through 2026, and this is the 2025.
Trim-by-trim specifications
The 2025 Subaru Forester: 6 trims compared.
Kelley Blue Book specifications, one row per trim.
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | EPA city / hwy / comb | Seats | Basic warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic | AWD | 180 | 178 | 26 / 33 / 29 mpg | 5 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Premium | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic | AWD | 180 | 178 | 26 / 33 / 29 mpg | 5 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Sport | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & 8-Spd Manual Mode | AWD | 180 | 178 | 25 / 32 / 28 mpg | 5 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Wilderness | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & 8-Spd Manual Mode | AWD | 180 | 178 | 25 / 28 / 26 mpg | 5 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Limited | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & 8-Spd Manual Mode | AWD | 180 | 178 | 26 / 33 / 29 mpg | 5 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Touring | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic & 8-Spd Manual Mode | AWD | 180 | 178 | 25 / 32 / 28 mpg | 5 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Trim | Curb weight | Length | Height | Wheelbase | Ground clearance | Turning circle | Fuel tank | Front headroom | Front legroom | Towing | Tires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 3,510 lb | 183.3 in | 68.1 in | 105.1 in | 8.7 in | 35.4 ft | 16.6 gal | 41.2 in | 43.3 in | P225/60HR17 | |
| Premium | 3,569 lb | 183.3 in | 68.1 in | 105.1 in | 8.7 in | 35.4 ft | 16.6 gal | 40 in | 43.3 in | P225/60HR17 | |
| Sport | 3,611 lb | 183.3 in | 68.1 in | 105.1 in | 8.7 in | 35.4 ft | 16.6 gal | 40 in | 43.3 in | P235/50VR19 | |
| Wilderness | 3,620 lb | 183.3 in | 68.1 in | 105.1 in | 8.7 in | 35.4 ft | 16.6 gal | 40 in | 43.3 in | 3,000 lb | P225/60R17 |
| Limited | 3,613 lb | 183.3 in | 68.1 in | 105.1 in | 8.7 in | 35.4 ft | 16.6 gal | 40 in | 43.3 in | P225/55VR18 | |
| Touring | 3,664 lb | 183.3 in | 68.1 in | 105.1 in | 8.7 in | 35.4 ft | 16.6 gal | 40 in | 43.3 in | P235/50VR19 |
Equipment by trim
Which 2025 Subaru Forester trim has what.
Std is standard, Opt is optional, a dash means Kelley Blue Book lists it as not available.
| Equipment | Base | Premium | Sport | Wilderness | Limited | Touring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | ||||||
| Adaptive headlights | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Anti-theft alarm | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Blind-spot alert | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Child door locks | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Child-seat anchors | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Forward collision warning | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Forward collision warning with automatic braking | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Hill-descent control | – | Std | Std | – | Std | Std |
| Hill-start assist | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Rearview camera | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Surround-view camera | – | – | – | – | – | Std |
| Electronic stability control | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Traction control | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Technology | ||||||
| Text-message reader | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Bluetooth audio streaming | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Bluetooth | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Hands-free calling | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| IPod connector | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| IPod interface | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Built-in internet access | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Navigation system | – | – | – | Opt | Opt | Std |
| Premium audio system | – | – | Opt | Opt | Opt | Std |
| Real-time traffic information | – | – | – | – | Opt | Std |
| Satellite radio | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Apple CarPlay or Android Auto | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Steering-wheel audio controls | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Touchscreen | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Voice recognition | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Emergency and security services | – | Std | Std | – | Std | Std |
| Comfort | ||||||
| Heated front seats | – | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Heated rear seats | – | – | – | – | – | Std |
| Heated steering wheel | – | – | – | – | Std | Std |
| Heated mirrors | – | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Power front seats for driver and passenger | – | – | – | – | Std | Std |
| Power driver's seat | – | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Leather seats | – | – | – | – | Std | Std |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | – | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Front and rear climate zones | – | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Panoramic moonroof | – | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Tilt steering wheel | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Cup holders | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Folding rear seat | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Exterior and convenience | ||||||
| Alloy wheels | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Fog lights | – | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Privacy glass | – | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Rear spoiler | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Roof rails | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Power liftgate or trunk | – | Opt | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| Remote liftgate or trunk release | – | Opt | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| 12-volt power outlet | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Power windows | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Remote keyless entry | Std | Std | Std | – | Std | Std |
| Remote engine start | Opt | – | – | – | – | – |
| Proximity keyless entry | – | Std | Std | – | Std | Std |
| Push-button start | – | Std | Std | – | Std | Std |
| Rear-window defroster | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
Complete certification table
4 configuration records.
| EPA ID / label | Engine / technology | Drive / transmission | Fuel | City | Hwy | Combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47740Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl SIDIConventional | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 26 | 33 | 29 | N/A |
| 48932Forester Hybrid AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI; HybridHybrid | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AV-S6) | Regular | 35 | 34 | 35 | N/A |
| 47741Forester Sport/Touring AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl SIDIConventional | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 25 | 32 | 28 | N/A |
| 48931Forester Wilderness AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl SIDIConventional | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AV-S8) | Regular | 25 | 28 | 26 | N/A |
Model-specific answer center
6 answers for this exact family-year.
Q01What changed on the 2025 Subaru Forester versus the 2024 Subaru Forester?
Against the 2024 Subaru Forester: Model/option labels added: Forester Hybrid AWD, Forester Sport/Touring AWD. Engine descriptions added: 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI; Hybrid. Transmissions added: Automatic (AV-S6). Certification records went from 2 to 4. Midpoint combined efficiency moved from 27.5 to 30.5 MPG/MPGe. Federal recall campaigns on file went from 2 for the 2024 to 3 for the 2025.
Q02How did the 2025 Subaru Forester do in NHTSA's side crash and rollover tests?
The 2025 Subaru Forester earned 5 stars in the side crash test (5 stars driver side, 5 stars passenger side) and 4 stars for rollover resistance, a 17.4% chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash. Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, read 2026-09-20.
Q03What size wheels does the 2025 Subaru Forester have?
The 2025 Subaru Forester's wheel diameter is 17 inches on the Base, Premium and Wilderness, 18 inches on the Limited and 19 inches on the Sport and Touring. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications.
Q04How do the 2025 Subaru Forester trims differ from one another?
All 6 trims share the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder making 180 hp. The Premium has emergency and security services, fog lights, front and rear climate zones and 9 more as standard equipment over the Base. The Wilderness has a power liftgate or trunk and a remote liftgate or trunk release as standard equipment over the Sport. The Limited has power front seats for driver and passenger, emergency and security services, a heated steering wheel and 5 more as standard equipment over the Wilderness. The Touring has heated rear seats, a navigation system, a premium audio system and 2 more as standard equipment over the Limited.
Q05What does the 2025 Subaru Forester cost across its trims?
Kelley Blue Book's national base prices for the 2025 Subaru Forester run from $31,415 for the Base Style to $43,015 for the Touring, across 6 trims.
Q06What brake fluid, refrigerant and key-fob battery does the 2025 Subaru Forester use?
The 2025 Subaru Forester owner's manual names R-1234yf air-conditioning refrigerant. Source: 2025 Subaru Forester owner's manual. The 2024 model year has the same figure.
This model year’s federal safety record
3 federal recall campaigns are on file for the 2025 Subaru Forester.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Federal filings for the 2025 Subaru Forester name wheels, child seat, equipment. These are the systems cited in recall documents for this model year specifically, not a survey of every fault owners report, and not a statement that any individual 2025 Subaru Forester is affected.
The 2024 Subaru Forester carries 2 recall campaigns and 29 owner complaints, against 90 here: 1 fewer recall than the 2025.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API; NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API.
Live NHTSA evidence
Current federal safety records for 2025 Subaru Forester.
Exact-vehicle evidence desk
Check the exact vehicle, not just the model name.
Recalls, build data and service applicability are determined at VIN level, not by model name.
FuelEconomy.gov data source (opens in a new tab) · Methodology
Other model years
Compare the Subaru Forester across model years.
Ownership desk