The Top-10 Selling SUVs, Subaru Forester Isn’t Close To the Top, Is It The Best?

Should you buy a new SUV because of its popularity?

A best-selling SUV does not necessarily mean it's best for you and your family. Discover why the 2025 Subaru Forester, a unique and standout choice, could be your top pick now.

U.S. News says, "When you think of SUVs, a few models likely spring to mind, like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, or maybe a Subaru or Jeep. You are not wrong: the list of best-selling SUVs is a collection of current greatest hits. These are also some of the highest-rated SUVs available." 

You have heard that the most popular kids in high school aren't the most successful in life. "Popular" kids are much more likely to end up in unsatisfying romantic relationships, have fewer fulfilling friendships, be perceived as having worse social skills, develop addictions that hamper their success, have fewer life skills, and have poorer mental health all around, says a report from Medium.com.

Is it the same way with the most popular SUVs?

The top ten best-selling SUVs from a recent U.S. News ranking are all good choices. Today's Automakers aren't making bad models, or they wouldn't still be around. Remember American Motors, Nash Motors, Packard, Studebaker, and Saturn? They are among a long list of car companies that no longer exist. 

The list below features the best of the best today. These automakers will be around decades from now. 

Here are the top ten best-selling SUVs today, and then I'll explain why the Forester, number nine overall, is your best choice now. They are listed from the bottom of the ten best to the top seller. 

• Kia Sportage - Overall Score: 8.8/10
• Subaru Forester - Overall Score: 8.1/10
• Ford Explorer - Overall Score: 8.6/10
• Hyundai Tucson - Overall Score: 9.1/10
• Nissan Rogue - Overall Score: 8.7/10
• Jeep Grand Cherokee - Overall Score: 8.7/10
• Chevrolet Equinox - Overall Score: 8.2/10
• Tesla Model Y - Overall Score: 8.4/10
• Honda CR-V - Overall Score: 8.1/10
• Toyota RAV4 - Overall Score: 8.7/10

What does U.S. News say about the Subaru Forester?

"The Subaru Forester is another strong contender in the competitive compact SUV category. It was a finalist for our Best Compact SUV for the Money award, and its starting price is among the lowest on this list. Like most Subarus, all-wheel drive is standard for the Forester."

"The interior of this SUV stands out for being spacious and upscale, with one of the largest cargo areas in the segment. It's not the fastest car on the road, but it is quite capable of getting you to remote campsites and trailheads. Adaptive cruise control with lane centering is standard, as is a user-friendly infotainment system with smartphone compatibility."

Why should you consider the 2025 Subaru Forester?

The 2025 Forester has been completely redesigned, which typically would be a reason to stay away from the next-generation model. New-generation models tend to have more problems in the first years of their life cycle. But not with the Forester.

Subaru Corp. is different with its vehicles when they get a remodel. Subaru makes changes but is moderate to the point where they don't have multiple bugs that must be reworked and fixed in its new models. 

You'll notice that the sixth-generation Forester looks very similar to the outgoing fifth-gen 2024 Forester models. The 2025 Forester, with its familiar and reliable design, is expected to maintain the high reliability of its predecessor, the 2024 Forester. Check out my Forester reliability report here. 

With that said the 2025 Forester does get significant improvements. Here are four Forester upgrades that customers will appreciate. 

1. The latest EyeSight driver assist technology version is standard on all five sixth-generation 2025 Forester trim levels.

The next-gen Forester's safety tech improvements are thanks to a broader field of view, updated control software, and the addition of an electric brake booster. 

Subaru says EyeSight can identify cyclists and pedestrians at intersections sooner and, when necessary, alerts the driver and applies braking to avoid collisions. 

The Forester offers an additional active safety feature option package, providing comprehensive protection and peace of mind for the driver. It includes reverse automatic braking, blind-spot detection with lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The option package costs $1,200 and comes with a power rear gate. 

These features ensure the Forester driver is more informed about what's happening around the vehicle. You've likely been in a parking lot backing up, and a car comes speeding by faster than it should, or a vehicle is in your blind spot when you try to change lanes. Now you're covered from all sides. 

The First Time For Forester And Any Subaru Vehicle

2. The 2025 Forester comes with Emergency Stop Assist (ESA) for the first time on any Subaru vehicle. This safety technology is designed to activate if the driver becomes unresponsive to warnings while using Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist, potentially preventing accidents and saving lives. 

The new ESA standard safety feature will stop the vehicle, activate the hazard lights, and unlock the doors. Subaru's Starlink-connected services will call emergency services, which can respond to your location. 

This would be very advantageous in an emergency. A driver could fall asleep, have a medical issue, and not respond to the Foresters' warnings. It could be a lifesaver. 

Forester Debuts A Hands-Free Power Rear Gate

3. Another feature is available for the first time on any Subaru model. The sixth-generation Forester gets a new kick sensor-activated hands-free power rear gate, which customers can open and close automatically simply by placing their foot under the rear bumper cover. 

How much does the hands-free power gate cost?

The hands-free power rear gate feature costs $1,700 and is part of an option package that includes a Harman Kardon audio system, power rear gate, and reverse automatic braking technology. Unfortunately, it can't be purchased as a stand-alone option. 

I like this feature. If you've been carrying groceries or bags and both hands are busy, you don't want to set them down on the ground. Now, you can seamlessly access the cargo area in the 2025 Forester, even when your hands are full. 

Subaru says, "Just a simple motion with your foot opens or closes the hands-free Power Rear Gate, letting you pack or unpack easily."

4. It's not a first for Subaru, but an available Surround-View Monitor on the redesigned Forester offers a "bird's-eye view" of the SUV and its surroundings better to maneuver the Forester compact SUV into tight parking spaces.

Have you ever gotten too close to one of the light posts with a concrete base you can't see? You can get too close and get a nasty scrape on the side of your rear fender. The Surround-View Monitor will help you see those hidden dangers.

I have yet to talk about Forester's excellent Symmetrical all-wheel-drive, extra ground clearance, X-Mode, dual-function X-Mode, outward visibility, lower center of gravity, or crash scores. You can read about those in my report here. 

I will give the 2025 Forester trim levels and pricing.

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 dealer fees ($1,395).

The 2024 Forester Wilderness carries over with a starting price of $36,265. Destination and Delivery ($1,345)

The 2025 Subaru Forester isn't the best-selling SUV in America, but it's a compact SUV that should be on your shopping list this fall. 

Are you checking out the new Forester? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and explain why.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Writer 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