Subaru Forester – A Daily Car Blog Review

First introduced in 1997… history lesson done. The all-new sixth-generation 2025 Forester marks a complete transformation. But the real question is: is it for better or worse?

In the UK, the Forester is currently available in three trim levels — Limited, Field, and Touring — with prices starting at £40,000, rising to £41,000 and £44,000 respectively.

The Exterior

The sixth-gen Forester is a full redesign — and it’s a change I can get behind. The exterior design language is neat and cohesive from front to back.

With its chunky proportions and rugged design language, it looks like it could go off-road for weeks, then roll up to a Michelin-starred restaurant without being turned away. Though the owner might be.

The Interior

The interior is largely carried over from the Outback, so you’ll find familiar equipment. The top-spec Touring trim comes fully kitted out — you won’t feel shortchanged or see the need for additional options, with features like the 11.6-inch portrait-style infotainment system included. However, there’s no fully digital instrument cluster… in 2025.

The infotainment system is functionally solid, though like most systems, it has a usability learning curve that takes a little practice to get used to. However, it’s fully compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay — which is what most users will likely prefer anyway.

As expected, you get a solidly built cabin with soft-touch materials in all the right places, complemented by harder-wearing surfaces where they make sense.

The seats are comfortable, and the upgraded leather/leatherette material feels premium. That said, overall, it somehow doesn’t feel quite as plush as the Outback, and the plasticky-feeling steering wheel doesn’t help.

There’s plenty of space for front and rear passengers, plus a sizeable boot whether the second-row seats are up or folded flat. Not more to say on that specific point.

The Drive

There’s only one engine option across the range — and honestly, I like the simplicity. It’s a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder 136hp/182 Nm petrol hybrid. That’s not a lot of power for a car of this size. Many reviewers have said Subaru’s hybrid system is sluggish compared to rivals — and yes, that was true of the old Forester. But despite that low power output, this new generation is, oddly, much improved.

It offers better drivability, smoother pickup, and—paradoxically—a more refined overall experience. No, it’s not fast, but it has more than enough pace to feel capable in everyday driving. I never found it underpowered.

I actually drove it like most real-world owners would, and it became clear that the hybrid system effectively fills in the gaps, enhancing the drivability I which is just as important as headline-grabbing horsepower figures.

As for efficiency, I averaged between 36 and 38 mpg on combined runs. For shorter errands and city or town driving, expect around 28 mpg. Oddly, on a balmy summer’s day with the air-con on, the hybrid system shuts off, leaving the engine to do all the work and relying on whatever charge is left in the battery.

It’s far from optimised — let alone efficient. It should be achieving around 50 mpg in and around town, and the hybrid system certainly shouldn’t be shutting down just because the air-con is running. That suggests there’s something off with the voltage management system.

Ride And Handling

Many reviews have criticised the Forester’s ride and handling. Yet my experience was very different. Am I living in a parallel universe? Or perhaps I’ve fallen into a black hole and my brain is being spaghettified — because my impressions were overwhelmingly positive.

If the ride and handling are better than the truly awful Volkswagen Tiguan, then in my opinion, it’s bloody good. Sure, the previous-gen Forester felt sluggish and vague by comparison. But within a few metres of driving this new model, I noticed a real improvement.

The ride is firmer but well-judged. It absorbs both minor and major bumps with composure. The chassis feels more balanced, offering a neutral, predictable feel. You never get the sense it’s out of its depth — even on tight B-roads. And at motorway speeds, the standard all-wheel drive gives it the planted, stable feel you’d associate with a premium German brand.

Based on that, I hoped the handling would be revelatory. It wasn’t. It’s OK — as long as you don’t try to drive it like a sports saloon. Push too hard, and you’ll experience body roll and the tyres politely ask you to back off.

The Verdict

The sixth-generation Subaru Forester is a capable, much-improved all-rounder. But like many all-rounders there are compromises.

It won’t hit many sixes (to borrow a cricket analogy — that’s a home run), but it has plenty of true grit with its off-road capabilities and carries its duties on-road without too much fuss. It’s quietly competent in all areas without being overburdened by them.