DecodedCars2025 Subaru Forester
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2025 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl
- Horsepower
- 162–180 hp
- Transmission
- CVT
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 35 combined · 35 city / 34 hwy
- Length
- 183.5 in
- Curb weight
- 3,580 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 35 MPG combined — 37% better than the average 2025 small SUV (25.6 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- "Park outside" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 38 similar 2025 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2025 Subaru Forester is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 184 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,580 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 35 MPG combined (35 city / 34 highway), 37% better than the 2025 small SUV average of 25.6 MPG, for an estimated $1,900 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2025
- New hybrid version
- Best combined MPG up from 29 to 35
Compared with 2024; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2024 Forester →
Trims, performance & features
Engine180 hp2.5L 4-cyl
Engine162 hp2.5L 4-cyl hybrid
TransmissionCVT
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows
Trims
LimitedTouringPremiumSport
Safety & driver-assist features
Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringSome trims
Rear cross-traffic alertSome trims
Rear automatic brakingSome trims
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Adaptive cruise controlStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Adaptive driving beamStandard
Keyless startStandard
LED headlightsYes
Built in: Ota, Gunma
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2025 Forester configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV | 183.5 in | 72 in | 68.1 in | 105.1 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,580 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 35 / 34 / 35 | +37% | $1,900 | 255 |
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 / 33 / 29 | +13% | $2,300 | 310 |
| Forester Sport/Touring AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 32 / 28 | +9% | $2,400 | 317 |
| Forester Wilderness AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 28 / 26 | +2% | $2,600 | 338 |
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $2,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.6 MPG2025 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD average
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2025 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 SUBARU FORESTER SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 17.4% |
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
StandardLane departure warning
Similar 2025 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Subaru Forester (this car) | 35 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2025 Toyota RAV4 | 39 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2025 Honda CR-V | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2025 Ford Bronco | 20 MPG | Not rated | 19 |
| 2025 Hyundai Tucson | 38 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2025 Mazda CX-5 | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
Recalls (4)
Safety advisory: 1 recall for this model year carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Jul 7, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V436000 · 541,237 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."
- Risk
- An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 27, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe And Cap · Feb 23, 2026 Park outside
NHTSA campaign 26V106000 · 69,870 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek hybrid, and 2025 Forester hybrid vehicles. When the fuel tank is near full capacity, an increase in ambient temperature may cause the fuel to expand and spill out of the filler neck due to an insufficient seal on the fuel cap.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures, and to limit the fuel level to 50% until the remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the fuel filler cap gasket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-26. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 16, 2026.
Child Seat · Jun 19, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V419000 · 2,938 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2025 Forester vehicles. The child seat anchor bolts may have been improperly tightened, allowing the bolts to come loose.
- Risk
- A loose child seat anchor bolt increases the risk of injury to a child during a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the child seat anchor bolts and, if necessary, tighten the bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-25.
Wheels · Jan 23, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V033000 · 20,366 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2025 Forester vehicles equipped with 18" aluminum alloy wheels. The wheels may have been manufactured with an incorrectly specified lug seat surface, which can result in the wheel being improperly attached and cause a loss of vehicle stability.
- Risk
- A loss of vehicle stability increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the wheels, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRB-25.
Not every 2025 Subaru Forester is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
99Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
13Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
7Injuries reported
2,800 miTypical mileage at failure
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2025 Subaru Forester buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
- Visibility/Wiper — 13 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 13 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 9 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 2,800 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2025 Subaru Forester. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Forester years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Forester | 35 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 32 |
| 2024 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 31 |
| 2023 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 74 |
| 2022 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 100 |
| 2021 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 212 |
| 2020 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 603 |
| 2019 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 834 |
| 2018 Forester | 28 | 181.1 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 498 |
| 2017 Forester | 28 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 592 |
| 2016 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 416 |
| 2015 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 608 |
| 2014 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 364 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →