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2025 Subaru Forester SUV Trims Comparison

Trim level differences

Most versions of the 2025 Subaru Forester constitute the redesigned sixth-generation model; the lone exception is the off-road-oriented Wilderness, which is based on the outgoing fifth-generation Forester. All are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, though with slightly different power outputs. The new Forester is good for 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, while the carryover Wilderness is rated at 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) sends power to all four wheels. A Forester Hybrid comes out midway through the 2025 model year. Its powertrain makes 194 hp.

The 2025 Subaru Forester is offered in six trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Touring and Wilderness. The Forester Hybrid only comes in the Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring trims.

Base
The Base trim comes minimally equipped with standard features that include:

  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • LED headlights
  • Roof rails
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control
  • Dual 7-inch center touchscreens
  • Four-speaker audio system
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

Also standard is Subaru's EyeSight suite of safety features that include:

  • Frontal collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
  • Lane centering system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
  • Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Forester and the car in front)
  • Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
  • Automatic high beams
  • Rear seat reminder (alerts you to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle)

Premium
Stepping up to the Premium trim adds:

  • 18-inch wheels (Hybrid only)
  • Hill descent control
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • Keyless entry and start
  • Synthetic leather interior trim with blue stitching
  • Upgraded cloth upholstery
  • Power-adjustable driver's seat
  • Heated front seats
  • Reclining rear seats
  • 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen
  • Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Six-speaker audio system
  • Wireless charging pad

The available Upgrade Option Package 15 suite further adds:

  • Automatic emergency steering (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
  • Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
  • Hands-free power liftgate

The features in this package come standard on the Forester Hybrid Premium trim.

Sport
This midrange model includes:

  • 19-inch wheels with bronze finish
  • Shift paddles with eight simulated gears
  • Multiple drive modes for improved traction in specific conditions
  • Brown interior stitching
  • Synthetic leather upholstery
  • Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning
  • Automatic emergency steering

The available Upgrade Option Package 24 bundle equips the Sport with:

  • Hands-free power liftgate
  • 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system
  • Additional driving modes
  • Rear automatic braking (applies the brakes automatically to avoid an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

The features in this package come standard on the Forester Hybrid Sport trim.

Limited
The luxury-themed Limited builds on top of the Premium grade with:

  • 18-inch wheels
  • Hands-free power liftgate
  • Leather upholstery
  • Heated steering wheel with paddle shifters
  • Multiple drive modes for improved traction in specific conditions
  • Power-adjustable passenger seat
  • One-touch folding rear seatbacks
  • Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning
  • Automatic emergency steering

Upgrade Option Package 42 further equips the Limited with:

  • 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system
  • Rear automatic braking

The features in this package come standard on the Forester Hybrid Limited trim.

Touring
This top trim adds several luxury and convenience items that include:

  • 19-inch wheels
  • Ventilated front seats
  • Heated rear seats
  • Driver's seat memory functions
  • Gesture controls for climate system
  • Navigation system
  • 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system
  • Rear automatic braking
  • Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)
  • Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
  • Digital rearview mirror function (allows you to see out of the back even with a fully loaded cargo area)

Wilderness
This off-road-capable trim level is the only 2025 Forester based on the previous-generation model. It's equipped similarly to the Sport, with the following changes:

  • 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires
  • Increased ground clearance
  • Underbody skid plate
  • Matte black hood decal
  • Water-resistant seat upholstery
  • 8-inch infotainment touchscreen
  • Wired-only connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Lane keeping assistance (steers the Subaru back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
  • Front-view camera (gives you a view of the area directly in front of the Subaru to help you avoid obstacles while off-roading)
  • Automatic climate control
  • One-touch folding rear seatbacks
  • Rear automatic braking

The Wilderness's Upgrade Options Package 33 adds:

  • Power liftgate
  • Navigation system
  • Nine-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system

Which Forester trim does Edmunds recommend?

If you connect with Subaru's adventure-bound vibe, the Sport trim represents a good value for the added features you get. We'd also consider adding the available option package that includes premium audio, a hands-free power liftgate, and reverse automatic braking. If your excursions are more demanding, the previous-generation Wilderness trim is your best bet even though it lacks the latest improvements.

Compare trims side-by-side

Comparing average pricing near
Parker, CO
Vehicle
Forester Base
Forester Premium
Forester Sport
Forester Wilderness
Forester Premium Hybrid
Forester Limited
Forester Sport Hybrid
Forester Limited Hybrid
Forester Touring
Forester Touring Hybrid
Vehicle
Base
2.5L 4cyl CVT
Starting MSRP
$29,995
Avg Price Paid
$27,909
See all Forester Base for sale
10 for sale near you
Premium
2.5L 4cyl CVT
Starting MSRP
$32,310
Avg Price Paid
$30,004
See all Forester Premium for sale
41 for sale near you
Wilderness
2.5L 4cyl CVT
Starting MSRP
$34,995
Avg Price Paid
$32,429
See all Forester Wilderness for sale
11 for sale near you
Premium Hybrid
2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT
Starting MSRP
$34,995
Avg Price Paid
$34,029
See all Forester Premium Hybrid for sale
16 for sale near you
Limited
2.5L 4cyl CVT
Starting MSRP
$36,410
Avg Price Paid
$33,435
See all Forester Limited for sale
32 for sale near you
Sport Hybrid
2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT
Starting MSRP
$37,995
Avg Price Paid
$36,961
See all Forester Sport Hybrid for sale
10 for sale near you
Limited Hybrid
2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT
Starting MSRP
$39,410
Avg Price Paid
$38,293
See all Forester Limited Hybrid for sale
18 for sale near you
Touring
2.5L 4cyl CVT
Starting MSRP
$40,295
Avg Price Paid
$37,272
See all Forester Touring for sale
23 for sale near you
Touring Hybrid
2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT
Starting MSRP
$41,695
Avg Price Paid
$40,563
See all Forester Touring Hybrid for sale
13 for sale near you
Hide similarities
Section Title

Features

Features

Features

Features

Features

Features

Features

Features

Features

Features

Bluetooth
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Navigation
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
optional
standard
optional
standard
standard
standard
standard
Satellite radio
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Keyless Ignition
Not Available
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Cruise control
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Adaptive cruise control
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Parking assistance
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Upholstery
cloth
premium cloth
leatherette
leatherette
premium cloth
leather
leatherette
leatherette
leather
leather
Heated seats
Not Available
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Cooled/Ventilated seats
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
standard
standard
Folding rear seats
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Sunroof
Not Available
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Section Title

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Drivetrain
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
Engine power
180 hp @ 5,800 rpm
180 hp @ 5,800 rpm
180 hp @ 5,800 rpm
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm
194 hp
180 hp @ 5,800 rpm
194 hp
194 hp
180 hp @ 5,800 rpm
194 hp
Engine torque
178 lb-ft @ 3,700 rpm
178 lb-ft @ 3,700 rpm
178 lb-ft @ 3,700 rpm
176 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
Not available
178 lb-ft @ 3,700 rpm
Not available
Not available
178 lb-ft @ 3,700 rpm
Not available
Engine displacement
2.5 l
2.5 l
2.5 l
2.5 l
2.5 l
2.5 l
2.5 l
2.5 l
2.5 l
2.5 l
Engine configuration
flat 4
flat 4
flat 4
flat 4
flat 4
flat 4
flat 4
flat 4
flat 4
flat 4
Transmission
continuously variable-speed automatic
continuously variable-speed automatic
continuously variable-speed automatic
continuously variable-speed automatic
continuously variable-speed automatic
continuously variable-speed automatic
continuously variable-speed automatic
continuously variable-speed automatic
continuously variable-speed automatic
continuously variable-speed automatic
Tire size
225/60R17
225/60R17
235/50R19
225/60R17
225/55R18
225/55R18
235/50R19
225/55R18
235/50R19
235/50R19
Wheel size
17 X 7.0-in
17 X 7.0-in
19 X 7.5-in
17 X 7.0-in
18 X 7.0-in
18 X 7.0-in
19 X 7.5-in
18 X 7.0-in
19 X 7.5-in
19 X 7.5-in
Wheel type
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
Run flat tires
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Section Title

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

City/Hwy/Combined MPG
26 / 33 / 29 MPG
26 / 33 / 29 MPG
25 / 32 / 28 MPG
26 / 33 / 29 MPG
25 / 32 / 28 MPG
City/Hwy/Combined MPGe
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Fuel Capacity
16.6 gal.
16.6 gal.
16.6 gal.
16.6 gal.
16.6 gal.
16.6 gal.
16.6 gal.
16.6 gal.
16.6 gal.
16.6 gal.
Driving Range (city/hwy)
432 / 548 miles
432 / 548 miles
415 / 531 miles
432 / 548 miles
415 / 531 miles
Fuel Type
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
Section Title

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Turning circle
35.4 ft.
35.4 ft.
35.4 ft.
35.4 ft.
35.1 ft.
35.4 ft.
35.4 ft.
35.1 ft.
35.4 ft.
35.4 ft.
Curb weight
3,510 lb.
3,569 lb.
3,611 lb.
3,620 lb.
3,873 lb.
3,613 lb.
3,913 lb.
3,911 lb.
3,664 lb.
3,946 lb.
Ground Clearance
8.7 in.
8.7 in.
8.7 in.
9.2 in.
8.7 in.
8.7 in.
8.7 in.
8.7 in.
8.7 in.
8.7 in.
Overall Width with Mirrors
81.2 in.
81.2 in.
81.2 in.
81.3 in.
81.2 in.
81.2 in.
81.2 in.
81.2 in.
81.2 in.
81.2 in.
Overall Width without Mirrors
72.0 in.
72.0 in.
72.0 in.
72.2 in.
72.0 in.
72.0 in.
72.0 in.
72.0 in.
72.0 in.
72.0 in.
Height
68.1 in.
68.1 in.
68.1 in.
68.9 in.
68.1 in.
68.1 in.
68.1 in.
68.1 in.
68.1 in.
68.1 in.
Length
183.3 in.
183.3 in.
183.3 in.
182.7 in.
183.3 in.
183.3 in.
183.3 in.
183.3 in.
183.3 in.
183.3 in.
Wheelbase
105.1 in.
105.1 in.
105.1 in.
104.9 in.
105.1 in.
105.1 in.
105.1 in.
105.1 in.
105.1 in.
105.1 in.
Seating Capacity
Cargo Space
29.6 cu. ft.
27.5 cu. ft.
27.5 cu. ft.
26.9 cu. ft.
27.5 cu. ft.
27.5 cu. ft.
27.5 cu. ft.
27.5 cu. ft.
27.5 cu. ft.
27.5 cu. ft.
Front Head Room
41.2 in.
40.0 in.
40.0 in.
40.2 in.
40.0 in.
40.0 in.
40.0 in.
40.0 in.
40.0 in.
40.0 in.
Front Leg Room
43.3 in.
43.3 in.
43.3 in.
43.3 in.
43.3 in.
43.3 in.
43.3 in.
43.3 in.
43.3 in.
43.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
58.1 in.
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
Rear Head Room
39.6 in.
37.7 in.
37.7 in.
37.6 in.
37.7 in.
37.7 in.
37.7 in.
37.7 in.
37.7 in.
37.7 in.
Rear Leg Room
39.4 in.
39.4 in.
39.4 in.
39.4 in.
39.4 in.
39.4 in.
39.4 in.
39.4 in.
39.4 in.
39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room
56.7 in.
56.7 in.
56.7 in.
57.2 in.
56.7 in.
56.7 in.
56.7 in.
56.7 in.
56.7 in.
56.7 in.
Section Title

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

True Cost to Own®
$41,325
$43,369
$46,827
Not Available
Not Available
$47,476
Not Available
Not Available
$50,939
Not Available
Average Cost Per Mile
$0.55
$0.58
$0.62
Not Available
Not Available
$0.63
Not Available
Not Available
$0.68
Not Available
Depreciation
$10,634
$11,675
$13,180
Not Available
Not Available
$14,289
Not Available
Not Available
$16,097
Not Available
Financing
$6,285
$6,842
$7,574
Not Available
Not Available
$7,811
Not Available
Not Available
$8,330
Not Available
Taxes & Fees
$3,550
$3,846
$4,233
Not Available
Not Available
$4,360
Not Available
Not Available
$4,635
Not Available
Fuel
$8,647
$8,647
$8,963
Not Available
Not Available
$8,647
Not Available
Not Available
$8,963
Not Available
Insurance
$5,571
$5,721
$5,791
Not Available
Not Available
$5,791
Not Available
Not Available
$5,828
Not Available
Maintenance
$5,728
$5,728
$6,176
Not Available
Not Available
$5,668
Not Available
Not Available
$6,176
Not Available
Repairs
$910
$910
$910
Not Available
Not Available
$910
Not Available
Not Available
$910
Not Available
Section Title

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Interior
Gray, cloth
Gray, premium cloth
Black, premium cloth
Gray StarTex, leatherette
Gray StarTex, leatherette
Gray, premium cloth
Black, premium cloth
Gray, leather
Black, leather
Gray StarTex, leatherette
Black StarTex, leatherette
Gray StarTex, leatherette
Saddle Brown, leather/suede
Black, leather/suede
Saddle Brown, leather/suede
Black, leather/suede
Exterior
Crystal White Pearl
Horizon Blue Pearl
Crimson Red Pearl
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Autumn Green Metallic
Brilliant Bronze Metallic
Crystal Black Silica
Crystal White Pearl
Horizon Blue Pearl
Crimson Red Pearl
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Ice Silver Metallic
River Rock Pearl
Crystal Black Silica
Crystal White Pearl
Sapphire Blue Pearl
Magnetite Gray Metallic
River Rock Pearl
Autumn Green Metallic
Crystal Black Silica
Crystal White Pearl
Geyser Blue Pearl
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Ice Silver Metallic
Autumn Green Metallic
Brilliant Bronze Metallic
Crystal Black Silica
Crystal White Pearl
Crimson Red Pearl
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Daybreak Blue Pearl
Ice Silver Metallic
River Rock Pearl
Autumn Green Metallic
Brilliant Bronze Metallic
Crystal Black Silica
Crystal White Pearl
Horizon Blue Pearl
Crimson Red Pearl
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Ice Silver Metallic
River Rock Pearl
Crystal Black Silica
Crystal White Pearl
Sapphire Blue Pearl
Magnetite Gray Metallic
River Rock Pearl
Autumn Green Metallic
Brilliant Bronze Metallic
Crystal Black Silica
Crystal White Pearl
Crimson Red Pearl
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Daybreak Blue Pearl
Ice Silver Metallic
River Rock Pearl
Autumn Green Metallic
Brilliant Bronze Metallic
Crystal Black Silica
Crystal White Pearl
Horizon Blue Pearl
Crimson Red Pearl
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Ice Silver Metallic
River Rock Pearl
Autumn Green Metallic
Brilliant Bronze Metallic
Crystal Black Silica
Crystal White Pearl
Crimson Red Pearl
River Rock Pearl
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Daybreak Blue Pearl
Ice Silver Metallic