[Wilderness]

If I wanted speed and was younger, I would go for an all electric, like an Ioniq 5 or Ioniq 5N. But that is not what most Forester buyers are looking for.

Times are different and it is harder to use speed anymore, with all the penalties for that type of driving now.

 

[zachavm]

@TTiimm I agree. Let's all try to remain cautiously optimistic regarding the hybrid though. Imagine if they whip something out like the Rav4 Prime.

 

[FozzyX3]

@TTiimm With the exception of 2004 (the famous "Your 350Z just got smoked by a family of 5 and a dog" print ad) the FXT was never marketed by SOA as an enthusiast's car. It was always just the top of the line Forester with some extra power. Most years it got a short little blurb in the brochure and nothing else. Most of the people who bought them knew what the FXT really was....a WRX in funky looking box.

If it weren't for the lack of headroom and Mazda's reliability record I'd of considered at least looking at a CX-5 turbo.

 

[Black21Limited]

@TTiimm you also have to wonder how much it is costing Mazda in carbon credits purchased from Tesla to provide the Zoom Zoom.

Like I have already mentioned, it's why the bigger 500 plus HP ICE engines are being eliminated. If they can replace them with zero emissions equivalents, they will save a fortune, and eventually Tesla will have to do much better to remain profitable.

I just don't see Subaru budgeting millions for carbon credits when the Forester keeps outselling their other models just to satisfy 5% of the Forester market.

Tesla Carbon Credits Revenue Up by 12%

Tesla, once again, is grabbing attention with its 2023 Q1 revenue from the sales of carbon credits alone, plus income from selling EVs.

carboncredits.com

If they aren't paying, they aren't about to start just to make a few people happy.

Follow the money.

 

[LeRM]

From Subaru Corporate was this description of the new front and back design, "The exterior design offers a sturdy, stately sense of presence. The bold grille that merges into the compact LED headlights creates an integrated shield effect. The rear design provides an impression of greater width by visually connecting the left and right combination lamps in a high position and communicates increased cargo space with steeper rear gate glass."

 

[Black21Limited]

and communicates increased cargo space "

"Does this make my butt look big?"

Not sure what they are trying to shield with the grille. I think that is what I don't like the most. I can see creative aftermarket designs being a hot seller...

 

[SpiderForester]

Horrible...just horrible.

The 2025 Subaru Forester.

Love begins with trust.

www.subaru.com

 

[ForesterBill]

From Subaru Corporate was this description of the new front and back design, "The exterior design offers a sturdy, stately sense of presence. The bold grille that merges into the compact LED headlights creates an integrated shield effect. The rear design provides an impression of greater width by visually connecting the left and right combination lamps in a high position and communicates increased cargo space with steeper rear gate glass."

Marketing mumbo-jumbo. However, I and my yellow lab appreciate the "steeper rear gate glass". I hate how Toyota, and Lexus in particular, slopes that rear hatch glass at a 45 degree angle.

 

[FozzyX3]

Not sure what they are trying to shield with the grille. I think that is what I don't like the most. I can see creative aftermarket designs being a hot seller...

The only thing that grille is going to do (in North America, anyway) is cause people to slow down to the speed limit or change lanes when they see it in their rear view mirror!

 

[BlueSlurpee]

It has the face of a 2015 Ford Explorer and the rear of a 2023 Kia Sportage. Yuck.

 

[LeRM]

Roof rails clarification from kbb.com:
"There’s one significant exterior change between trim levels. The base, Premium, and Limited trims get the standard roof rails Subaru owners are used to. Sport and Touring trim levels get flush-mounted rails that can’t hold crossbars. Those might get slightly better fuel economy from the aerodynamic change. But many Forester buyers plan to mount bikes, kayaks, and more to the roof. They’ll need the raised rails."

 

[Menel]

Roof rails clarification from kbb.com:
"There’s one significant exterior change between trim levels. The base, Premium, and Limited trims get the standard roof rails Subaru owners are used to. Sport and Touring trim levels get flush-mounted rails that can’t hold crossbars. Those might get slightly better fuel economy from the aerodynamic change. But many Forester buyers plan to mount bikes, kayaks, and more to the roof. They’ll need the raised rails."

luvers! this is the biggest pain point for me.

 

[LeRM]

Louvers are so hard to clean/wash.

 

[FozzyX3]

From SOA's website.......

Get even more cargo-carrying flexibility with raised roof rails, newly standard for 2025. Plus, Forester Sport and Forester Touring models receive all-new low-profile roof rails for sleeker style and improved aerodynamics. With either design, it’s easy to bring along equipment like kayaks, bikes, and skis or haul extra gear using a cargo carrier from our extensive line of Thule racking accessories.

It also looks like rails will be standard on even the base model. No more slicktops.

 

[Old Man]

From SOA's website.......

Get even more cargo-carrying flexibility with raised roof rails, newly standard for 2025. Plus, Forester Sport and Forester Touring models receive all-new low-profile roof rails for sleeker style and improved aerodynamics. With either design, it’s easy to bring along equipment like kayaks, bikes, and skis or haul extra gear using a cargo carrier from our extensive line of Thule racking accessories.

It also looks like rails will be standard on even the base model. No more slicktops.

My guess is that the low profile rails are there for noise reduction.

 

[DragonSubie7]

This will have a LOT of attention on it so it makes sense to increase prices when people are not looking (2024 MY) and not when they are (2025 MY Redesign).

You could be right, or not.
Virtually all new cars are relatively expensive, and if materials costs continue to climb, they may not have a choice in regards to pricing, regardless who is looking.

 

[zachavm]

Marketing mumbo-jumbo. However, I and my yellow lab appreciate the "steeper rear gate glass". I hate how Toyota, and Lexus in particular, slopes that rear hatch glass at a 45 degree angle.

SO MUCH THIS!!!! Everyone is crapping on it and few are talking about positives like this. I'm not in love with the design, but by no means is it terrible. If anything, it feels like Subaru is staying pretty true to themselves. Form follows function.

 

[zachavm]

Roof rails clarification from kbb.com:
"There’s one significant exterior change between trim levels. The base, Premium, and Limited trims get the standard roof rails Subaru owners are used to. Sport and Touring trim levels get flush-mounted rails that can’t hold crossbars. Those might get slightly better fuel economy from the aerodynamic change. But many Forester buyers plan to mount bikes, kayaks, and more to the roof. They’ll need the raised rails."

I've never used the roof rails myself, but this still seems like a mistake to me. Maybe I'm discounting the diference it makes in sound and MPG though. I just wish there was an option to not have them besides "pick a different trim".

Still crossing my fingers that this generation will bring a "Wilderness Touring" trim in addition to the standard Wilderness.

 

[Menel]

My guess is that the low profile rails are there for noise reduction.

For people who dont use them maybe, but to do towers on those low profiles adds noise back in.
Having the current style rails, with just simple aero crossbars with my aero bike carriers when empty is unnoticeable.

 

[Old Man]

On my Touring I had the Aero Cross bars. Definite difference when I took them off noise wise.