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How are customers responding to the new Subaru Forester? 

On the surface, it doesn't look promising. The 2025 Subaru Forester experienced a significant sales drop right from its launch, setting the stage for the following developments.

Subaru of America (SOA) announced that 2025 Forester sales have declined right when it makes its U.S. retailers launch. Is Subaru worried? The automaker says it's because the compact SUV just changed its new model, and the latest model's production has yet to catch up with demand.

There's more to the story. 

Subaru explained why the Forester sales were down from August 2023 to 2024. Subaru says, "Forester was down year over year as production ramps up to full capacity." 

Forester sales declined with the change to the new model. 

The Forester is now in third place in the big three, with 13,456 vehicles sold in August, compared with 15,294 models delivered to customers in August 2023. Forester was down 12.0 percent for the month. 

The all-new, remodeled sixth-generation Forester arrives from Japan, and Subaru of America has sold most of the 2024 models. Now that the fifth-generation models are gone, the remodeled Forester is expected to be a big hit with customers.

There's a promising future ahead for the new Forester. I'll explore the potential of this new model and where it's projected to go from here.

I look for the Forester sales to jump back up as the new model inventory catches up with demand. 

Despite declining August sales, the Forester compact SUV maintains its lead, with 116,987 vehicle sales through the first eight months of 2024. With a 28.4 percent increase year to date, this resilience reaffirms Forester's potential with customers.

The trend is still up for Forester.

Troy Poston says, "This summer season continued to see success with our strong lineup connecting with all types of customers looking for safe and reliable vehicles." 

What are the new Forester trim levels and pricing?

The Base trim starts at $31,090, Premium ($33,390), Sport ($35,890), Limited ($37,390), and Touring ($38,490). Pricing includes destination and dealer fees ($1,395).

Where is the next-gen Forester Wilderness?

It's disappointing there is no new next-gen Forester Wilderness trim level. It's coming, but it's not here yet. Find out more in my report here.

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

The Forester Wilderness will get new generation upgrades, likely arriving in 2025. While Subaru has yet to announce the new Forester Wilderness, the future looks hopeful. As soon as they do, I'll cover it here, providing Subaru enthusiasts with the latest updates. 

What's next for the Forester?

The Forester is set to undergo significant changes, including a shift in production from the Gunma, Japan factory to the U.S. factory in Lafayette, Indiana. 

Subaru of Indiana Automotive will begin new Forester production shortly after the 2025 Subaru Legacy rolls off the assembly line next year. 

And more changes are coming. A new Forester Hybrid is set to launch in North America. 

The next-generation Forester Hybrid will not be a PHEV.

I recently discovered that the Forester's hybrid technology will not be a plug-in hybrid system (PHEV) like the discontinued Crosstrek Hybrid. The next-generation Forester hybrid will have a standard hybrid powertrain.

Tetsuo Fujinuki, Subaru's chief technical officer, says the Forester will have a new series-parallel hybrid powertrain, not Plug-in hybrid technology, which will package Subaru's internal combustion Boxer engine, electric motor, transfer case, and transmission together at the front of the vehicle. A drive shaft will stretch back to a small rear differential to power the all-wheel drive system.

The Subaru hybrid system will be designed and manufactured later this year at the Japanese automaker's newly renovated factory in Japan's Kitamoto City. The factory previously made general-purpose engines for Subaru Corp. Check my report here for more information. 

When will the new Forester Hybrid be available for customers?

The next-generation Forester Hybrid will arrive late next summer, 2025.

New next-generation Forester Hybrid trims and Wilderness trim levels will likely be built in Indiana as the new Forester production moves to the U.S. This shift significantly changes Subaru's manufacturing strategy. It brings potential customer benefits like shorter delivery times. 

Subaru Corporation will continue to produce the Forester in Japan for its domestic customers and customers in Europe, Asia, and Australia. That means all Forester made in the U.S. will stay here. 

Forester production is going up. 

Subaru Corporation's production of the all-new 2025 Forester has increased. 

The announcement I covered in my report earlier this month reveals that Japan's Gunma plant production has increased by 0.2 percent. That's significant because it's the first increase in 6 months.

In August, the new Forester's sales declined, which should be changing with more new next-generation models arriving daily. Stay tuned. 

Are you excited about the new Forester Hybrid?

Click the red 'Add new comment' link below and let us know your thoughts. 

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 North Orlando