2025 is still made in Japan. For MY 2026 the Outback and Forester (for North America) are trading places. Forester production is moving to Indiana and the Outback is going to Japan.

SIA has built over 7 million cars since it opened in 1989 so I think they have some experience building Subarus.

 

Thanks for that info.

@Category5 Please post link to video making the claim. There is only 1 Subaru factory in the US, and they don't build Forester.

Look here: Where Are Subaru Vehicles Made? | Subaru

I've been checking out so many Forester videos on YouTube lately that I'm not sure which one made that claim. I do recall that the reviewer in the vid did state that he THINKS that Foresters will be made in the USA soon. Looks like @FozzyX3 posted helpful info above.

 

@Category5 Please post link to video making the claim. There is only 1 Subaru factory in the US, and they don't build Forester.

Look here: Where Are Subaru Vehicles Made? | Subaru

 

Take a Look at your VIN
first digit for the country of origin and the
tenth digit for the model year in a VIN:
Country of Origin (1st Digit):

• 1, 4, 5: USA
• 2: Canada
• 3: Mexico
• J: Japan
• K: South Korea
• S: United Kingdom
• W: Germany
• Z: Italy

Model Year (10th Digit):

• A: 1980 or 2010
• B: 1981 or 2011
• C: 1982 or 2012
• D: 1983 or 2013
• E: 1984 or 2014
• F: 1985 or 2015
• G: 1986 or 2016
• H: 1987 or 2017
• J: 1988 or 2018
• K: 1989 or 2019
• L: 1990 or 2020
• M: 1991 or 2021
• N: 1992 or 2022
• P: 1993 or 2023
• R: 1994 or 2024
• S: 1995 or 2025
• T: 1996 or 2026
• V: 1997 or 2027
• W: 1998 or 2028
• X: 1999 or 2029
• Y: 2000 or 2030

2025 forester is technically a 2024 build

Keep in mind that this list might not cover all possible values, but it includes the most common ones.

Take a Look at your VIN
first digit for the country of origin and the
tenth digit for the model year in a VIN:
Country of Origin (1st Digit):

• 1, 4, 5: USA
• 2: Canada
• 3: Mexico
• J: Japan
• K: South Korea
• S: United Kingdom
• W: Germany
• Z: Italy

Model Year (10th Digit):

• A: 1980 or 2010
• B: 1981 or 2011
• C: 1982 or 2012
• D: 1983 or 2013
• E: 1984 or 2014
• F: 1985 or 2015
• G: 1986 or 2016
• H: 1987 or 2017
• J: 1988 or 2018
• K: 1989 or 2019
• L: 1990 or 2020
• M: 1991 or 2021
• N: 1992 or 2022
• P: 1993 or 2023
• R: 1994 or 2024
• S: 1995 or 2025
• T: 1996 or 2026
• V: 1997 or 2027
• W: 1998 or 2028
• X: 1999 or 2029
• Y: 2000 or 2030

2025 forester is technically a 2024 build

Keep in mind that this list might not cover all possible values, but it includes the most common ones.

additional information
roduction Year Codes
The 10th character in the VIN represents the model year of the vehicle. This character can be either a letter or a number, and it follows a specific pattern that cycles every 30 years. Here's the complete list:

10th Character	Year	10th Character	Year
A	1980	L	1990
B	1981	M	1991
C	1982	N	1992
D	1983	P	1993
E	1984	R	1994
F	1985	S	1995
G	1986	T	1996
H	1987	V	1997
J	1988	W	1998
K	1989	X	1999
Y	2000	1	2001
2	2002	3	2003
4	2004	5	2005
6	2006	7	2007
8	2008	9	2009
A	2010	B	2011
C	2012	D	2013
E	2014	F	2015
G	2016	H	2017
J	2018	K	2019
L	2020	M	2021
N	2022	P	2023
R	2024	S	2025
T	2026	V	2027
W	2028	X	2029
Y	2030	1	2031

Steps to Decode the Production Year:

1. Locate the 10th character of the VIN. This is the character that indicates the model year.
2. Refer to the table above to determine the corresponding year for that character.
3. Cross-check with other details of the vehicle to ensure the decoded year aligns with the vehicle's features and specifications.

For example, if the 10th character in your VIN is "M," according to the table, it represents the model year 2021.

Here is a breakdown of what each segment of the VIN represents:

1. First 3 Characters (World Manufacturer Identifier - WMI):
   • 1st Character: Indicates the country of origin.
   • 2nd Character: Identifies the manufacturer.
   • 3rd Character: Represents the vehicle type or manufacturing division.
2. Characters 4 to 9 (Vehicle Descriptor Section - VDS):
   • 4th to 8th Characters: Provide information about the vehicle’s model, body type, restraint system, transmission type, and engine code.
   • 9th Character: A check digit used to validate the VIN.
3. Characters 10 to 17 (Vehicle Identifier Section - VIS):
   • 10th Character: Indicates the model year (using a specific set of characters).
   • 11th Character: Identifies the plant where the vehicle was assembled.
   • 12th to 17th Characters: Represent the vehicle's unique serial number.

 

Was SIA a lemonade factory up until early 2000 ??

 

No idea about beverages, but a long time ago, Toyota Camry's came off that line, too, if I'm not "mis-remembering". It's all Subaru, all the time, for a long time now. The only restrictions is that two Ascents cannot be run adjacent due to spacing conflicts. Otherwise, it's a mixed production line with all US manufactured vehicle models traveling together in whatever order happens from orders translating into production.

 

SIA originally stood for Subaru Isuzu Automotive. For much of the first 10 years or so they built way more Isuzus than Subies.. In 2002 Isuzu sold its share of the plant to FHI and the last SIA Isuzus were built in 2004. IIRC the Camry contract was 2007-2016.

If you owned or rented a stripper model Camry in those years, it was probably built by Subaru. Toyota built the nicer ones themselves.

Now I'll have this stuck in my head all day......

 

Going back to the original poster question - or part of it - "the Wilderness in particular".

At this time, there is NO 2025 Forester Wilderness. The Forester Wilderness is still the 2024 SK model and is new. It is not the new body style, it's not the oversized touch-screen and still has knobs and buttons for some features (HVAC, seat heaters, etc.). Given that the only truly unique parts between the rest of the Forester line and the Wilderness is the suspension and the programming of the CVT, I'm not sure why they didn't offer the Wilderness for 2025. Yes, I know that there are model specific trim pieces (the copper trim, the badges, the flat-black hood decal, etc.), these are not unique mechanical pieces that are a bit part of what makes the Wilderness unique. Truly, anybody could walk into the local Subaru dealer and order Wilderness badges, wheels, the hood decal and so on, pop them on a Premium or a Sport or a Limited and who would truly know the difference at a quick glance?

There has been no reference that I've seen for the SL generation (the 2025 models) for a Wilderness model. The basic 5 (base, Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring - US trim) are it. There have been announcements of the new (to North America) Forester Hybrid, but there has been no real information as far as release dates, pricing, trim level, equipment, etc.. There has been a lot of speculation, but nothing concrete from Subaru (at this time).

It may be (speculation here) that the Wilderness doesn't "fit" with the SL generation and will not return. But who knows? Could be that they're planning for the Wilderness after the release of the Hybrid model(s) or maybe for the mid-cycle refresh in 2027 or 2028... Again, speculation and "who knows"....? Maybe they just didn't sell enough of the Wilderness models to keep it around (remember the demise of the XT). Maybe they want to make the Forester Wilderness more like the Outback Wilderness and pop the 2.4 DI Turbo under the hood... Again, who knows?

From what I see on the local dealer lots and on the roads near me, the Sport and Premium still seem to be the trim levels that sell the most, followed by the other trim levels. Remember that dealer inventory for most of the country is based on what the dealer orders and will sell in their locale. In some cases, they may be offered some bigger deals on other trim levels that are on the ship coming over or already landed at the port that are not already allotted to a dealer.

 

Going back to the original poster question - or part of it - "the Wilderness in particular".

At this time, there is NO 2025 Forester Wilderness. The Forester Wilderness is still the 2024 SK model and is new. It is not the new body style, it's not the oversized touch-screen and still has knobs and buttons for some features (HVAC, seat heaters, etc.). Given that the only truly unique parts between the rest of the Forester line and the Wilderness is the suspension and the programming of the CVT, I'm not sure why they didn't offer the Wilderness for 2025. Yes, I know that there are model specific trim pieces (the copper trim, the badges, the flat-black hood decal, etc.), these are not unique mechanical pieces that are a bit part of what makes the Wilderness unique. Truly, anybody could walk into the local Subaru dealer and order Wilderness badges, wheels, the hood decal and so on, pop them on a Premium or a Sport or a Limited and who would truly know the difference at a quick glance?

There has been no reference that I've seen for the SL generation (the 2025 models) for a Wilderness model. The basic 5 (base, Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring - US trim) are it. There have been announcements of the new (to North America) Forester Hybrid, but there has been no real information as far as release dates, pricing, trim level, equipment, etc.. There has been a lot of speculation, but nothing concrete from Subaru (at this time).

It may be (speculation here) that the Wilderness doesn't "fit" with the SL generation and will not return. But who knows? Could be that they're planning for the Wilderness after the release of the Hybrid model(s) or maybe for the mid-cycle refresh in 2027 or 2028... Again, speculation and "who knows"....? Maybe they just didn't sell enough of the Wilderness models to keep it around (remember the demise of the XT). Maybe they want to make the Forester Wilderness more like the Outback Wilderness and pop the 2.4 DI Turbo under the hood... Again, who knows?

From what I see on the local dealer lots and on the roads near me, the Sport and Premium still seem to be the trim levels that sell the most, followed by the other trim levels. Remember that dealer inventory for most of the country is based on what the dealer orders and will sell in their locale. In some cases, they may be offered some bigger deals on other trim levels that are on the ship coming over or already landed at the port that are not already allotted to a dealer.

Thanks for all of that input. I'm thinking that at this time I'll put some more appropriate all-terrain tires on my 2023 Premium and see what happens with Subaru going forward.

 

As said, with the exception of the transmission reprogram, you can make your Premium into a near Wilderness.

Get the all-terrain tires, get a lift (or the Bilstein B8 TerraSport shocks/struts), add lights, graphics, wheel - and you can have a Wilderness "clone" for a lot less than the near-forty-grand price tag.

BTW - that's the route I took ... But my Foz is more than a bit older... I jokingly call my Foz a "pre-Wilderness" Wilderness.

No lift (yet) but a lot of other updates...

 

Just what I was thinking. Thanks for the info. Your Forester looks great. Better tires being the main item needed on mine. If my Premium has 8.7" ground clearance, what extra will the Bilstein B8 TerraSport shocks/struts add?

 

From Bilstein's sales info, the TerraSport B8 will add 1 to 2" of clearance.

BILSTEIN B8 TerraSport - BILSTEIN Off-Road

BILSTEIN B8 TerraSport direct fit shocks are designed to increase ground clearance and improve off-road capability for CUVs.

offroad.bilstein.com

Looking at the catalog, they may not be available for the SK generation Forester yet (your 2023). But contact them and maybe they can tell you different. I did that for my 2014 and found that they HAVE been released, but the online catalog has not been updated yet.

 

You can always add this sticker to your faux Wilderness:

Amazon.com

 

I just purchased a 2025 Forester Touring and it was built in Japan.

 

Not going to search for a link, but I have read many articles indicating that the Forester will replace the model being discontinued (Legacy sedan?) at the Indiana factory for US sales in future.

 

@rickplan The Impreza was moved back to Japan two years ago and replaced at SIA by the FB25-powered Crosstreks (Sport/Limited/Wilderness) which are only sold in North America.

 

Here is one article I quickly found. The New Subaru Forester Will Be Made in America

 

Thanks for the article. Interesting how they juggle what is made where.

 

would be interesting to see who builds it better but honestly would need to be the same model built in both places to know for sure. I lean japanese built as I am sure many do but honestly I've had cars made in mexico and thailand that I felt were perfectly good cars

 

My 2024 Touring was made in Japan. The 2025 models are also made in Japan. Supposedly once the Outback production moves to Japan and the Legacy production ends the Foresters will be built in the USA. It appears the Forester and Crosstrek will be Subaru's top sellers in the United States so it makes to move production closer to consumption. The new Outback is an unknown at this point. The spy photos and scuttlebutt I've heard from the owner of a Subaru dealership the new Outback looks like a bigger Forester, losing its wagon-like appearance. Personally I'll miss it 😔.
Best,
DD

 

@ddelorso My understanding is that the reason for the move is that the powertrain in the new Forester Hybrid will somehow be a North America-only variant of the new hybrid tech. Same reason the FB25 Crosstreks are built at SIA while the Slothtreks are still built in Japan. With the Outback and Legacy gone that frees up more than enough capacity to build all North American market Foresters at SIA.

 

In think that I would be interested in a more rugged squared off look on some of Subie's vehicles. The latest version of the Forester seems to be moving in that direction (IMO of course).

 

My thoughts, it's a Toyota based design which are made in the USA, and with possible tariffs this might be the driving force behind the decision.

 

We traded in our 2021 Forester Premium in January for a 2025 Forester Premium. The salesperson mentioned that after 2025 the Forester will not be manufactured in Japan. Very glad that we were able to get a good trade in value for our 2021 Forester due to the fact it was a one year change I believe in the coolant piping to plastic and then the 2022 model year they reverted back to metal. I believe I heard about that in one or two of the forester reviews - IIRC on YouTube one of them was from "MrSubaru1387"

 

The salesperson mentioned that after 2025 the Forester will not be manufactured in Japan.

That's just for North American marketed Foresters. And yes, production is moving to Indiana for this market.