Why Are Buyers Walking Away From the New 2025 Subaru Forester?

Perhaps Subaru should consider increasing horsepower in their Forester.

I have a 2018 Forester XT with 250 HP and will not replace it with a Forester having less HP.

We had 2 Foresters, loved them. Most recent was a 2014 limited. Went to local dealer to buy 2025 for the wife. We found the huge eye sight module too distracting. It seems like it covers 40% of the top window line. Heard the same from a friend who was considering it. Bought a RAV4 Hybrid insread

Test drove the Forrester and a CRV. Honda was less expensive with more extras such as 2 year maintenance. The Subaru dealer even explained that they would charge to update mapping unless I did it at home. Test drive of both was close with a slight edge to Honda. Not surprised Subaru sales are down

I bought a Crosstrek last year. I wanted a small SUV and most had been discontinued by the manufacturers so I bought this one. My husband bought a 2018 Forrester Touring used last summer because he found my Crosstrek too small and I refused to drive a big SUV. We are both happy with our cars. He is 85 and I am 82 so definitely an older demographic!

I purchased the 2025 Subaru Forester Premium in late September. It has every option that I wanted except a heated steering wheel. I’m 59 and I needed front legroom and superior visibility. To be honest, I would’ve paid more for my Forester. I shopped for over four months and watched several reviews of several different makes and models of new vehicles.

I was looking forward to buying my 3rd Forester.......but I HATE the 2025. I am now looking at a Honda CRV Hybrid.

I understand wanting a smaller and less expensive Crosstrek for some empty nesters but putting a 60 pound dog in the back of a Crosstrek would be a challenge. I am also what is known as a Trail Angel for the Pacific Crest Trail which is nearby. Many times I have 2-4 hikers to transport to our town for resupply or to transport to a nearby airport in Nevada, so a Forester makes more sense. The Crosstrek is a nice option due to its cost but a Forester would suit our needs better. Besides, our RAV4 Hybrid currently suits our needs even better. (I know not even part of the conversation)
I have also read that the CVT in a Forester needs to be serviced every 30,000 miles with OEM transmission fluid.... That in itself is a deal breaker for when we need to replace our '19 RAV4 Hybrid.

A few months ago I traded up my WRX and it came down between the Crosstrek and the Forester. I had driven a loaner second-gen Crosstrek for a few days when the 11-inch touchscreen in my WRX wouldn’t work and I really liked it! It’s compact but drives as solid as a mid-sized sedan. The third generation is an evolutionary improvement, slightly less compact feeling with a much more cohesive design. It had the 2.5L in place of the 2.0L but didn’t feel any quicker by any means despite the forty additional horsepower. The Forester on the other hand was roomier and more comfortable by a wide margin and seemed to make better use of power with the same 2.5L engine. The ride felt smoother and more composed and I especially loved the panoramic moonroof. Personally, I think the Forester is perhaps the Best Buy among all Subaru’s.

Perhaps the downturn in sales is related to the fact that the redesign of the 2025 Forester made it look like a Ford.

when I saw the first pictures of the new Forester, I thought that some nameless designer was playing a game or that the management wanted to test the market. when I realized that it was actually a new model, it crossed my mind that someone at Subaru had a serious aesthetic problem. the vehicle is totally unconvincing, without any particularity, sharpness, provocation to look at it and keep your eyes on it. in terms of design, it acts as an intermediate stage in the development of a prototype, rather than a finished product. the interior and exterior of the vehicle do not have any point of contact. the front end looks like it was taken off the biggest and old Toyota Land Cruiser, the rear end is from some cheap Suzuki, and the side is like some sort of window display ... I wouldn't buy it. the most beautiful Forester was the one two generations ago. the last one was rather muscular and seemed too massive and clumsy from the front. and this one again ... pure zero

Less than hot take, it's because the Forester has no turbo option. It's a bland sh*t box.

Very interesting article, if you're a car buff and like Japanese crossovers/SUVs, as many of us do.

I was expecting this article to mention another factor that I think may be a reason some are shying away from the 2025 Forester: it's boring looking.
This redesign is in my eyes, a step back.

My roommate just got one and I was excited at first when he told me it was the new Forester. Then I saw it. It's boxy and bland and generic looking.
One of the things that made the Forester quite attractive was its unique, youthful and bold looks. Now it just looks like something GM would come up with.

My mom was considering the Forester, but we ended up buying a Crosstrek for the same reasons he mentioned.

Why choose a bigger, heavier, and more expensive Forester when she’ll rarely, if ever, need more space than the Crosstrek, especially since both have the same 2.5L engine?

She absolutely loves her sporty little Crosstrek Wilderness.

Subaru announced a Hybrid Forester is coming out next year. Consumers, like myself, are holding off and looking to purchase next year.

I stopped buying Subaru 2018 when the3.6 engine was not available. I want that power for a quick and quiet ride. If they want better sales, get the old engine back.

I have been driving Foresters since 2013....But My next car will be electric......Probably the Solterra........The ONLY electric I consider a true SUV...................Paul Holterhaus

I went in to have regular service done on my 2020 Forester and came out w a new 2025! I wasn’t interested in ‘shopping’, I only wanted an update since I’m 76 and know this might be my last car purchase. There was no interest in checking out the Crosstrek but if this article came out sooner I might have. I’m happy w my selection.

Also I think many Forester buyers are waiting for the hybrid model.

I currently have a 2014 Forrester. I would buy a 2025, no hesitation. I am 73 and love my Forrester.

Subaru needs to look like a Subaru, not another crapy brand. 2025 model forester is small version of American Ford Explorer visually. Soooo u get the idea I hope. We r Subaru family and we love them all ,but if I wanted ford I would get ford. Subaru designers need to be fired.

I have a 10 year old Forester and love it. I'd like get a new one but they're so expensive. My only complaints with Subaru's in general are a hard ride, road noise and the paint color options. Subaru needs to get brighter paint colors. All their colors are rather dull and subdued. Ditch the black, white dark forrest green and silver/grey. How about bright red, bright blue or brilliant yellow and maybe a two-tone option with the roof a complimentary color, like the old Ford Flex had.

You nailed it. Why pay 5,000 more for a little bigger suv ? We got a 24
Crosstrek & very happy with it. Only
Disappointment is lack of blind spot warning on our Sport model--unless you want to pay for leather seats, ect. for the
added package option. As it is the most important of the safety features to save lives, a safety minded company like Subaru should include it on all models. Consumer Reports agrees.

Bought my 2nd Forester Touring in October 2024 after trading in my 2015. I considered the Cross trek for the 2025 Forester...but after 10 years of comfort and dependability with my previous Forester I just couldn't get comfortable with the Cross trek.....I'm very happy with my decision. I'm 75 years old, very active, haul camping equipment, kayaks and bikes so guess it comes down to personal needs and preferences.

While the Forester is an ideal family vehicle, it is quite a bit larger than the Crosstrek. We can understand the reason for downsizing, which is rising prices and unnecessary expenses. We are the average Subaru customer of 60. Subaru customers who choose the Crosstrek over the Forester are following simple economic principles. Our philosophy of keeping a vehicle until it makes sense to move on is still strong. Should our other vehicle, 2009 Honda CR-V die tomorrow we wouldn't even consider a Forester unless there was some type of incentive to do so. We love our 2021 Crosstrek Limited and would certainly consider another one. We do believe that your advice is correct at this time though by following the best value trim level which is Premium.

I have owned 9 Subaru cars since the early 90’s. Forester and Outback models.
I am looking into a 2025 Forester Touring but NO HOMELINK is available. Primitive!!! For $40 grand I will not use the hand held garage door opener. I will look elsewhere

My lease is up on my 2022 Forester Sport in June and I'm thinking about going to the Crosstrek. I don't like the styling of the new one. It's kind of frumpy looking and not exciting. Plus, it's more expensive. Maybe the Hybrid models will change my mind.

Bought a new 2025 Forrester in July over the crosstex because I tote grandkids! The Forrester is not a pretty car aesthetically and if Mazda had a better reputation, I would’ve bought a new S90. Now that is a pretty car, inside and out!

If Subaru would offer a bit more power for us 62 year olds maybe they could hold onto us. I love my 23 Forester. Just wish it had more oomph!

Both myself and my daughter leased a new 2025 Forrester.
She us 42 and I 79. We both love them. She has the Sport and I the Limited

Two time outback owners from Canada in our 60’s just (this week) purchased a new 2024 Crosstek wilderness for all the reasons in your article. Love it and don’t need the exra room in the Outback, just hauling our bikes, golf clubs.and Costco groceries.