[FozzieBalou]

Any time you add cross bars - aero style, boxy aftermarket, whatever - you're going to get noise and a loss of MPGs - because you're adding drag... Not RuPaul drag, aerodynamic drag. That drag disturbs the air and causes more noise and a small increase in power to keep at speed.

On another site (instagram? facebook? someplace) somebody commented on "there's only so many ways you can design a tic-tac" - referring to how overall bland and generic the look is. But nothing could be further from the truth - if every SUV shared a design "theme", we wouldn't have curvy round Porsche Macaan, the boxy block of VW, the curvy boxy Volvo, the angular Toyota, the slope-backed Lexus models, the "just-dropped-from-the-80s-scifi-flick" of the Inoniq and the box-meets-knife Cadillacs and so on.

Pre-production doesn't mean the look will change. Pre-production means it's a test mule and some features work, some don't. They're generally hand-built on a special line so trim fits may not be perfect. But a trim fit is not what has the variance between the 'combination lights' and the bridge across to emphasize the width... that's just a bad design.

 

[Rorgaard]

BRB gonna spend another year on the edge of my seat hoping I don't have to get a RAV4 Prime to have 40+ miles of electric range for my work commute.

I think (hope) Subaru is holding off on the hybrid to get Toyota's new batteries.

 

[ryan_calif]

I think it looks pretty good honestly. Subaru did a good job. Lines look a bit more masculine, especially with those new wheels. Love it.

I'm glad they kept the large windows, low belt line and tall roof. The Forester's visibility is a key feature for me. Disappointed that all trims are getting the black headliner though... hopefully it doesn't make the cabin feel too closed in. I like the airy feel that the light grey headliner gives.

Otherwise, Interior looks fine. Not a fan of the tablet screen, but it's workable. All things considered, I'd buy one!

 

[rdclark]

Our 2015 has been as close to ideal as any car we've had over 50 years of driving. The 2025 appears to have all of the qualities that make our 2015 so suitable, assuming it's as well-built and reliable. We care about outward visibility, fuel economy, safety, comfort, cargo capacity, easy access... all things the new model appears to deliver. Reliability, of course. can't be assessed in advance, but I'd continue to never buy a new model in its first year.

A mild hybrid version would be very attractive; we're not equipped for a PHEV or EV.

 

[LeRM]

I would probably buy one...because the engine and transmission are identical to the current 6 year model. It's like a drivetrain refresh. This isn't a complete change which would make me think to pause the first year or so until the bugs or issues were worked out. The style is important to me so I'm concerned but will see how the color schemes work with the new style especially Sport.

 

[SubiAficionado]

Anyways.. it’s a Forester, great all around car with plenty of safety features, cargo, comfort, etc.. I might learn to get used to this “redesign”…
I know it’s a world car, still have hopes for that double exhaust bumper cutout in the future. We’ll see what they come up with in a year or two..

 

[Iverson]

BRB gonna spend another year on the edge of my seat hoping I don't have to get a RAV4 Prime to have 40+ miles of electric range for my work commute.

I think (hope) Subaru is holding off on the hybrid to get Toyota's new batteries.

This is a good point. Subaru Global CEO Atsushi Osaki has announced that the company will be offering four battery electric vehicles by 2026, and four more by 2028. Maybe this ambitious schedule accounts for why it is taking so long for them to put out the promised hybrid Forester (a year or more from now), but this does seem really slow in view of the technical collaboration they have with hybrid-meister Toyota. And Subaru's intransigence about resurrecting the Forester XT with an off-the-shelf 2.4 turbo already offered in Legacy, Outback and Ascent, not to mention WRX, is just obstinate (even with presumably low sales, there would be some, enhancing the brand and image overall without costing them much at all). So these are mysteries. Maybe the answer is that they're just too damned busy working on all those future BEVs.

But I'll probably trade for the 2025 this spring, anyway. It looks pretty good to me, and the new features are appealing. As the Rolling Stones clarified years ago, you can't always get what you want (high powered hybrid, turbo XT), but if you try sometime you'll find you get what you need.

 

[ryan_calif]

I would probably buy one...because the engine and transmission are identical to the current 6 year model. It's like a drivetrain refresh. This isn't a complete change which would make me think to pause the first year or so until the bugs or issues were worked out. The style is important to me so I'm concerned but will see how the color schemes work with the new style especially Sport.

Let's face it, nobody is buying these things for the powertrain anymore lol. That ship sailed years ago.

If you're getting a Forester, it's because you like outstanding visibility and good AWD.

 

[mpnret]

Any idea what color the 2025 at the LA show is? Looks like it could be white with a blue light on it at the show or maybe a light blue color.

 

[SubiAficionado]

This Forester is my 3rd Subie. I really like the brand, but come ‘25-‘26, they don’t release a more powerful platform, I’m switching to an RDX turbo A-Spec. Plenty of looks, luxury, reliability and performance there. AWD too, even though I don’t really need it much.

2024 Acura RDX Review, Pricing, and Specs

The 2024 Acura RDX lacks the performance and prestige of other compact-luxury SUVs, but it packs personality and attractive pricing.

www.caranddriver.com

 

[Iverson]

I like the Acura RDX, too, but: it requires premium fuel, is about 3” wider than Forester (got a tight garage), has nowhere near the visibility, less ease of entry/exit. All the Forester is missing is the power, which, of course, they could easily fix, but won’t, because Subaru.

 

[FozzieBalou]

It looks like 3 colors have been shown so far for the 2025 Forester -

The Sport trim in some form of white - return to Satin White Pearl, current generation Crystal White pearl or just plain old bright white? Then there is the Touring in a light gold/khaki sort of color (champagne?) and then another gray tone - looks like putty color....

That putty may be what you're talking about @mpnret....

 

[cherrytrek]

@FozzieBalou,
Driving Sports TV mentions that the new color shown on the Touring is called River Rock. I don't think the light gold/khaki and putty you are referring to are actually two different colors, rather the River Rock color shown in different lighting.
2025 Subaru Forester World Premiere First Look

 

[SubiAficionado]

I like the Acura RDX, too, but: it requires premium fuel, is about 3” wider than Forester (got a tight garage), has nowhere near the visibility, less ease of entry/exit. All the Forester is missing is the power, which, of course, they could easily fix, but won’t, because Subaru.

No doubt, the Forester is an all around great package. It has excellent visibility (except for me at least, the right rear quarter panel, the first couple days I thought I was seeing a car on my right peripheral vision till I got used to it), also practicality, reliable and safety are definitely part of it.
Like I said, I really like the brand, I wouldn’t have purchased 3 Subarus back to back if I didn’t. But having experienced the older turbo version of it on my older ‘05 OBXT, it’s the reference I got and the reason why I wish it had a bit more power, even if it came at the higher cost of having to put premium fuel.

 

[Black21Limited]

Unless it says "Premium Fuel Required" vs "Premium Fuel Recommended" , you could likely get away with the midgrade without issues. It will just scale back the performance via the knock sensor feedback.

Most cars since the early 1990's have not had the "Required" label. Unless you have a tune that has a set fuel and spark curve, you can get away without premium fuel. It is only "recommended" for maximum performance. Otherwise the ECU is just going to cut back boost and timing. This was done so the average driving public wouldn't destroy their engines.

 

[FozzyX3]

IF....and that's a big IF.....the FA24 turbo ever goes in the Forester it will undoubtedly be the Outback XT/Ascent version that's detuned a bit to run on 87 octane.

 

[Wilderness]

I had an Acura MDX and for the first five years I put in premium and then I read an article and started putting the midrange gas in for the next 6 years, with no ill effect.

Everyone’s driving needs are different. For myself, being retired and living in a rural area, power is not on the top of my list.

 

[ForesterBill]

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.

You can see the Toyota influence in the design of the Soltera. Just look at the angle of the rear hatch glass on the Soltera.

 

[ryan_calif]

You can see the Toyota influence in the design of the Soltera. Just look at the angle of the rear hatch glass on the Soltera.

I sat in one at the dealer during our last service and didn't care for it. You're absolutely right about the design, it has strong Toyota vibes. I've never cared for the ergonomics of newer Toyotas... the placement of controls, seating position, and visibility just don't do anything for me. The Solterra feels like a Toyota.

The first thing I noticed when I got in were the small side windows and mediocre visibility. That's a deal killer for me in and of itself.

 

[FozzieBalou]

The Solterra just doesn't have "strong Toyota vibes" - it's pure Toyota. It's the bzx4 or something on the Toyota lot.

Just like the Toyota FRS (now GR86) and Subaru BRZ being identical with maybe 3 differences, the BZ4X and Solterra are twins with minor (if any) differences. They're both conjoined twins - with Subaru and Toyota each providing some aspects on the design and engineering of the vehicles, just as Chrysler did with Mitsubishi back in the 80s and 90s with a variety of models - the Mirage/Colt, the Montero/Raider, the Starion/Conquest, the 3000GT/Stealth the Mighty Max/D50, the Sapporo/Challenger .... was there another?

But there is no denying a strong sense of Toyota design in this new Forester - the wheel arches, the rear d-pillar trim, the fog lamp shape and more are taken from the RAV4..... Some viewer on line from one of the automotive sites - likened the top part of the new grill with the previous gen Tundra truck....