Quiet Please, The All-New Subaru Forester Has More To Say

The Forester is back on the throne and has more to say. 

The Forester, now back as Subaru of America's (SOA) top model, is soaring to new heights. After being dethroned by the Outback in 2023 and the Crosstrek in 2022, the compact SUV has reclaimed its position as the brand's top seller, marking a significant shift in the market and solidifying its dominance.

The Forester has been a hot seller, leading all brand models in U.S. sales in the year's first half. It even set a monthly sales record as recently as March. This robust performance is a testament to its popularity and reliability. Find out more in my report here. And there's more to come. 

Through the first six months, Forester has been impressive. Here are the top three nameplates for SOA. 

1. Forester - 92,849
2. Outback - 81,703
3. Crosstrek - 79,500

The Forester's sales growth in the year's first half was not just remarkable, it was staggering. Leading the second-place Outback by over 11,000 units and with an impressive 51.4% increase in sales, it outperformed the Outback's 0.4% and the Crosstrek's 4.4% growth, solidifying its market dominance and popularity. 

The most impressive thing is that the sales mainly came from the previous generation, the 2024 Forester before the all-new model arrived. 

It's just getting started. 

The all-new 2025 Forester, which arrived this month, is set to further improve sales with its array of upgrades. These enhancements, including a quieter drive and improved engine efficiency, promise a superior driving experience and an exciting new model for customers.

Quiet, please. 

Automotive News says Bill Stokes, car line planning manager for the new Forester, said, "Subaru benchmarked the Honda CR-V to improve noise, vibration, and harshness. There are more welds and three times more structural adhesive to plug gaps and increase stiffness in areas that can cause squeaks and rattles."

Five more improvements.

1. According to Subaru, there has been a 39 percent cut in noise attenuation from the roof rail.
2. Subaru said the latest Subaru has nearly 89 feet of structural adhesive versus 26 feet on the outgoing Forester. 
3. The windshield glass is thicker than the old model, reducing wind noise.
4. Subaru said that torsional rigidity has increased by 10 percent, making for a quieter and more enjoyable drive.
5. More sound-deadening material has been added on the floor, roof, fenders, and firewall.

It gets better. Subaru just improved the Forester's worst feature. 

Automotive News says the auto stop-start system is barely detectable. This is a significant upgrade.

Forester owners say they despise the compact SUV's stop/start system more than anything else, so much so that they turn it off. 

Subaru says the engine produces more power at lower rpm, making it quicker off the line. Essential engine parts have been updated to make the engine more efficient, reliable, and lighter—the auto-stop/start is one of them. You can find out more about it in my report here. 

2025 Forester pricing, are you sitting down?

Subaru of America announced the sixth-generation 2025 Forester pricing and how much the compact SUV went up. It went up a minimum of $2,000, and some trim levels saw close to a $3,000 price increase. Ouch.

How much did the 2025 Subaru Forester increase in price?

• The Base Forester increased by +$2,900
• Premium +$2,000
• Sport +$2,930
• Limited +$2,320
• Touring + $2,900

The 2025 Forester has five trim levels: Base ($31,090), Premium ($33,390), Sport ($35,890), Limited ($37,390), and Touring ($38,490). Pricing includes destination and delivery ($1,395).

The 2024 Forester Wilderness carries over with a starting price of $36,265, including destination and delivery fees ($1,345). Check out my 2025 Forester model guide here.

Are you adventurous?

The 2025 Subaru Forester is still the top pick for active customers. On weekends, it will take you further off-pavement and away from the city. 

With the added upgrades, the 2025 Forester is an excellent value for compact SUV shoppers. As with the previous generation model, the Forester comes with Subaru's excellent Symmetrical all-wheel-drive for all-weather capability, 8.7 inches of ground clearance for easier access, X-Mode for severe weather, and dual-function X-Mode on some trims for all-terrain capability. 

Despite the price increase, it remains a top choice, especially with its all-weather capability, ground clearance, and advanced X-Mode features.

It's more luxury that customers want. 

Now, the 2025 Forester is more comfortable than ever. With its quieter cabin and refined ride quality, look for it to maintain its overall sales leader status in 2024. 

The Forester's return to the top spot is a significant achievement. It not only marks a shift in the market but also underscores the brand's commitment to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.

Now it's your turn.

What do you like about the new Forester? Do you like its new comfort upgrades, or do you like its all-weather abilities the most? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Subaru