I am happy with my 2024 Touring Edition. I prefer the look overall with the satin mirrors and trim accent into the black molding. More soft touch interior features which I prefer along with the 8" screen and traditional controls.
I'll admit that it doesn't look bad (except for the front... it's a face that only Henry Ford would love)... and if it had a hood scoop, it *might* look like a modern throwback to the 2005 XT (I still regret the day I sold it).
The 2025 looks much more understated, & less disjointed than the 24 Forester. I cancelled an order for 24 months back for a 25 Sport model after seeing youtubes & knowing specs of this model.
I like the refresh overall. Wheels look great IMO! Not sure what I think about the low profile roof rails or the badging on the B pillars, however wouldn’t stop me from purchasing if I was in the market for a Forester. If future Subaru roof rails morph into the low profile type, what we are currently used to may start to feel dated. I like the visible exhaust pipe vs. the hidden one on my Crosstrek. Now I know the official terminology for my blindspot detector, nubbin. The center console is almost identical to the ‘24 Crosstrek, but I do see some texture in the base of what looks like CD storage. Another model the Sport trim gets an identifier badge while other trims don’t.
Regarding the design for dual exhausts; the Japanese market has stopped using the NA 2.5L engine entirely and replaced it with a 1.8L Turbo (CB18) little over two years ago, that engine makes basically identical power to the 2.5L NA but is given dual exhausts. The 23-24 Forester with the 1.8L turbo had dual exhausts as well. Why Subaru won't sell cars with the CB18 outside Japan and has gone through the effort of engineering a car to work with a both a 1.8L Turbo and 2.5 NA that both make identical power and torque? Literally no clue. The only Subaru sold in Japan without a turbo engine is now the Crosstrek, and only the 2.0L version is sold.
I checked my local Subaru dealer, they only have the 2025 Forester, somehow I missed the sell off of the 24's, the dealer last summer was giving a 10% on most cars, but this year nothing.
24 & 25 models do look similar. The 25 Subaru has a Ford style on the grill area.😮😮 Glad you bought the Premium trim level. The base seems to be missing some items.
They ran the whole series of the last generation ('19-'24) with the piping around the left side of the rear bumper, as if they were going to someday have a dual exhaust. It never happened, so don't get your hopes up for this one. In the '14-18, they only had dual exhaust on the XT, and the generation before that had it on all drivetrains. I am puzzled why they keep making the missing exhaust a design feature. It just draws my attention to the missing second outlet. I'll be shocked if they make an XT Forester again. Likely putting their efforts into the promised hybrid. They are woefully behind the curve on the drivetrain. This basic 2.5L with CVT has been around over a decade, and IMO, they should have foreseen that something better was going to be needed. Instead, they tweaked the F20 to the F24, and let their bread and butter 2.5 become a relic. If you think it lacks power in the Forester, it is even worse in the heavier Outback. I was very close to pulling the trigger on a '24 Touring, which was being offered at a good price (because the '25's are marching in), but after letting the deal sit for a day, I just couldn't envision a long-term relationship with this drive train, after having spent almost 11 years driving my XT Forester. (The XT Outbacks disappointed me. No suspension, brake, tire upgrades with the Outback XT, and any "sport modes" are moved from buttons on the steering wheel to two layers deep on the clunky infotainment system.My Forester XT came with bigger wheels, tires, brakes, and a sport tuned suspension.) Looking at other brands now.
Great insight, thank you for sharing! One viewer did mention that the forester has a 1.8T as their base engine in their country. It would be nice if Subaru designed more than one rear bumper haha.
The back and front look terrible I still like my 23' touring better. The team that is responsible for the front grill should be fired, Subaru needs to change that for the 26' model year. Let's hope the wilderness corrects some of these issues.
Can’t go wrong with a 2022+ (refreshed) 5th gen! I’m also curious about the new Wilderness. I’ve heard the 5th gen only had 9.2” of ground clearance because that’s the maximum height the assembling equipment could still produce with the Foresters taller roof line compared to the Crosstrek and Outback.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 I keep wondering if the hybrid will be the wilderness, 1- we haven't see the wilderness as well as the hybrid, 2-the hybrid would give it more horsepower and torque.
Thank you for the walk around. Personally, I don't like it. Doesn't look like a Subaru. I will keep my 2022 Sport. I saw one of these at the dealer and for sure don't like it. I will pass.
Thanks for sharing your thought on it! I think I wasn’t sure what my thoughts were on it originally from the other videos I’ve seen, so my expectations weren’t super high, and finally seeing one in person I actually kind of like it! But some of the design styling, like the tail lights do feel a bit “busy”. 🤷♂️😅
We picked up our 2025 Sport last Friday. Put 800 miles on it by the time we got home. Seats are very comfortable when adjusted. Car has plenty of power for normal driving and we couldn't even go over 4000 rpm. Got used to the 11.5 inch screen and there's more immediately accessible than I thought. One issue is how dirty the rear window gets in the rain on the freeway. Had to use the rear window wiper often.
That previous generation in cascade green is absolute 🔥
Wish that color was available on the Outback and Ascent.
I don't mind the grill on the Subord or the Fobaru. 😁
Nice walk-around, AA.
Explorester
Hahahah
That red rs = 🔥
One thing I’ve learned about Subaru design updates is that I dislike them when I first see them, but they always grow on me.
Subaru knows what we want before we know what we want I guess haha. 🤪
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Yeah, Subaru is a genius company 🤓👍
❤ the blue sport 😍
It looked sharp in person!
I am happy with my 2024 Touring Edition. I prefer the look overall with the satin mirrors and trim accent into the black molding. More soft touch interior features which I prefer along with the 8" screen and traditional controls.
I'll admit that it doesn't look bad (except for the front... it's a face that only Henry Ford would love)... and if it had a hood scoop, it *might* look like a modern throwback to the 2005 XT (I still regret the day I sold it).
I wish Subaru would offer us a turbo 6 speed with the hood scoop! I’d probably drive one of those over my Outback, lol.
The 2025 looks much more understated, & less disjointed than the 24 Forester. I cancelled an order for 24 months back for a 25 Sport model after seeing youtubes & knowing specs of this model.
Nice! That is gonna be a fun ride. I’ll share my first full review and driving video in the morning. 😉
I like the refresh overall. Wheels look great IMO! Not sure what I think about the low profile roof rails or the badging on the B pillars, however wouldn’t stop me from purchasing if I was in the market for a Forester. If future Subaru roof rails morph into the low profile type, what we are currently used to may start to feel dated. I like the visible exhaust pipe vs. the hidden one on my Crosstrek. Now I know the official terminology for my blindspot detector, nubbin. The center console is almost identical to the ‘24 Crosstrek, but I do see some texture in the base of what looks like CD storage. Another model the Sport trim gets an identifier badge while other trims don’t.
Very good insight! Thanks for watching! 🙂
Regarding the design for dual exhausts; the Japanese market has stopped using the NA 2.5L engine entirely and replaced it with a 1.8L Turbo (CB18) little over two years ago, that engine makes basically identical power to the 2.5L NA but is given dual exhausts. The 23-24 Forester with the 1.8L turbo had dual exhausts as well.
Why Subaru won't sell cars with the CB18 outside Japan and has gone through the effort of engineering a car to work with a both a 1.8L Turbo and 2.5 NA that both make identical power and torque? Literally no clue. The only Subaru sold in Japan without a turbo engine is now the Crosstrek, and only the 2.0L version is sold.
Oh great insight! I always forget to think about the other markets, haha. 😅
I checked my local Subaru dealer, they only have the 2025 Forester, somehow I missed the sell off of the 24's, the dealer last summer was giving a 10% on most cars, but this year nothing.
Yeah, they sold them off fast without incentivizing them.
Yeah, that’s what I’ve also noticed. They’ve just quickly disappeared as new 2024s stopped coming in, lol.
@@chuckwalla2967 they were incentivized near me (Northeast PA) - I got my 2024 premium $2500 off sticker and 2.9% financing
24 & 25 models do look similar. The 25 Subaru has a Ford style on the grill area.😮😮 Glad you bought the Premium trim level. The base seems to be missing some items.
For sure! Yeah, the base misses a few of the safety features and creature comforts. I think the premium is a sweet spot in the line up!
I'm glad they went with StarTex on the sport trim.
Yeah, that is a cool change!
They ran the whole series of the last generation ('19-'24) with the piping around the left side of the rear bumper, as if they were going to someday have a dual exhaust. It never happened, so don't get your hopes up for this one. In the '14-18, they only had dual exhaust on the XT, and the generation before that had it on all drivetrains. I am puzzled why they keep making the missing exhaust a design feature. It just draws my attention to the missing second outlet. I'll be shocked if they make an XT Forester again. Likely putting their efforts into the promised hybrid. They are woefully behind the curve on the drivetrain. This basic 2.5L with CVT has been around over a decade, and IMO, they should have foreseen that something better was going to be needed. Instead, they tweaked the F20 to the F24, and let their bread and butter 2.5 become a relic. If you think it lacks power in the Forester, it is even worse in the heavier Outback. I was very close to pulling the trigger on a '24 Touring, which was being offered at a good price (because the '25's are marching in), but after letting the deal sit for a day, I just couldn't envision a long-term relationship with this drive train, after having spent almost 11 years driving my XT Forester. (The XT Outbacks disappointed me. No suspension, brake, tire upgrades with the Outback XT, and any "sport modes" are moved from buttons on the steering wheel to two layers deep on the clunky infotainment system.My Forester XT came with bigger wheels, tires, brakes, and a sport tuned suspension.) Looking at other brands now.
Great insight, thank you for sharing! One viewer did mention that the forester has a 1.8T as their base engine in their country. It would be nice if Subaru designed more than one rear bumper haha.
How is the exhaust already rusty??? It's 2025? What the?
🤷♂️😂
The back and front look terrible I still like my 23' touring better. The team that is responsible for the front grill should be fired, Subaru needs to change that for the 26' model year. Let's hope the wilderness corrects some of these issues.
Can’t go wrong with a 2022+ (refreshed) 5th gen! I’m also curious about the new Wilderness. I’ve heard the 5th gen only had 9.2” of ground clearance because that’s the maximum height the assembling equipment could still produce with the Foresters taller roof line compared to the Crosstrek and Outback.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 I keep wondering if the hybrid will be the wilderness, 1- we haven't see the wilderness as well as the hybrid, 2-the hybrid would give it more horsepower and torque.
Subarus will never look right with those unsightly, long front overhangs and narrow tracks.
2024 forester is more a subaru look.
For sure! Or at least the Subaru we are use to. Now I’m curious what the 2026 Outback will look like… haha 😅
"Sport" with no updated engine. No sportier suspension or bigger brakes. What's sporty about it?
Haha, that’s a good question. Mostly the color accents and a slightly retuned suspension.
Thank you for the walk around. Personally, I don't like it. Doesn't look like a Subaru. I will keep my 2022 Sport. I saw one of these at the dealer and for sure don't like it. I will pass.
Thanks for sharing your thought on it! I think I wasn’t sure what my thoughts were on it originally from the other videos I’ve seen, so my expectations weren’t super high, and finally seeing one in person I actually kind of like it! But some of the design styling, like the tail lights do feel a bit “busy”. 🤷♂️😅
Hate the copper accents. The orange/red made the sport the sport. Also hate the full touch screen.
is it just me, or does this new design make them look more like those ugly FORD SUV's?
Looks a lot like a ford explorer. Losing its crunchy granola roots
Need a standard transmission.
That’s for sure!
It's not worth more than 30k max.
Испортили лесника, кошмар
Ugly as hell compared to older Subaru Forester versions..
Sweet! I'm starting to like the looks a lot more. Return of a traditional thermostat is a big upside.
Absolutely!
But who knows what other unreliable, 'upgraded' parts might have be introduced on this new gen?
We picked up our 2025 Sport last Friday. Put 800 miles on it by the time we got home. Seats are very comfortable when adjusted. Car has plenty of power for normal driving and we couldn't even go over 4000 rpm. Got used to the 11.5 inch screen and there's more immediately accessible than I thought. One issue is how dirty the rear window gets in the rain on the freeway. Had to use the rear window wiper often.