2025 Subaru Forester vs. 2019 Subaru Forester: The Redesign
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The Subaru Forester has always been a favorite of buyers needing just that much more capability from their everyday SUV. Subaru, as an automaker, offers solid engineering in its engines, plus its iconically capable AWD drivetrains allow adventurous families to fully live out their outdoor travels without fear of being stranded.
After a long wait, fans of the last and fifth-generation Subaru Forester introduced back in 2019 got to purchase the brand-new sixth-generation compact 2025 Forester model that went on sale in the spring of 2024.
Continue with our article as we take a look at the complete redesign seen in the latest 2025 Subaru Forester vs. the 2019 Subaru Forester.
Trim Levels
The 2025 Forster is available in six trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring.
The 2019 Forester was initially available in five trims: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring. The Wilderness trim was added later in 2022 to coincide with the across-the-range facelift.
Redesigned Exterior
In typical Subaru fashion, the Forester, despite wearing a new look, will not disappoint its fans by straying too far from its design roots.
For the 2025 model year, the Forester has been the recipient of some large-scale modernization along with some changes to its chassis, which has now been updated and stiffened to improve handling and control.
The redesign sees the front view now dominated by a larger front grille than seen in the 2019 design and a front bumper that's noticeably slimmer. New redesigned steering responsive LED headlamps are both narrow and stylish, joined with a thin horizontal strip that runs through both the headlamps. Upper trims get neat triangular-shaped LED fog lights located at the extremities of the body color front bumper
Further changes are seen on the exterior of the 2025 Forester with its reshaped side windows, reshaped muscular flared fenders for both the front and rear wheels plus black molded square styled wheel arch trims, as well as black side cladding that features a stylized 'hump' in the middle.
The rear shows a redesigned squared-off style with features such as the redesigned taillights joined by a horizontal bar finished in piano black.
Further features of the 2025 models include the standard roof rails, a black roof spoiler, and standard alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 19 inches, depending on the trim.
The body of the latest sixth-generation 2025 Subaru Forester measures 183.3 inches long, 72.0 inches wide, and 68.1 inches high vs. the 182.1 inches length, 71.5 inches width, and the same 68.1 inches high dimensions of the previous 2019 model.
The wheelbase remains the same for the 2025 redesign at 105.1 inches.
Subaru has made available a choice of eight exterior colors, the same total as the previous 2019 model.
Interior ReDesign
The Forester remains a five-seater accommodation with its passengers in two rows of seats.
Noticeable is the increase in passenger space, accompanied by a quieter ride made possible with the 2025 Forester's interior redesign. Upgraded premium quality soft-touch materials and enhanced visibility.
The latest 2025 Forester offers seating material choices that include cloth, synthetic leather, premium leather, or suede-input leather.
The dashboard on the passenger side now features textured trim with hexagonal shapes mirroring the exterior styling. The dual screens found in the upper trim levels are new for the 2025 Forester.
For the latest model, buyers can choose integrated navigation, a panoramic moonroof, push-button start, evasive steering assist, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system as options.
The 2025 Forester's generous interior features list includes the likes of :
- Two-zone climate control system
- Available Hands-free liftgate
- Available panoramic power moonroof
Cargo Space
The 2025 Forester entry Base trim offers 29.6 cubic feet of volume, expanding to 74.4 cubic feet once the 60/40 split rear seats are folded down. The balance of trim levels offers 27.5 cubic feet of load space with 69.9 cubic feet of cargo volume available with seats down.
The previous generation Forester had 34.4 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, growing to 76.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down.
Infotainment Upgrade
A large 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen system takes care of infotainment in the latest Forester on all trims aside from the Base trim with its new 7.0-inch screen.
The system offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Subaru's Starlink multimedia system is standard.
The previous 2019 generation Forester features a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Subaru's Starlink interface on Base, Premium, and Sport models. Upper trims feature an eight-inch unit.
Powertrain Differences
Subaru has seen fit to stick with the same engine and drivetrain from the previous 2019 model.
The 2.5-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine for 2025, however, produces 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque vs. the 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque of the previous model.
The standard Lineartronic CVT and Subaru's Symmetrical All Wheel Drive system are carried over.
The latest 2025 model offers a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds vs. the previous generation's slightly higher maximum capacity of 1,650 pounds.
Safety and Driver Aid ReDesign
Safety and Driver assistance features continue with little changes for the latest 2025 Subaru Forester, with Subaru's EyeSight offering the same safety features as the previous generation.
The advanced system ensures that the adaptive cruise control keeps following distances and speeds correct for the conditions, monitors traffic movement, and monitors lane keeping by sending an alert if the driver starts wandering outside their lane.
Carried-over safety features include the likes of:
- Eight airbags
- Height-adjustable head restraints for all seats
- Ring-shaped reinforcement frame
- Automated emergency braking
Purchase the 2025 Subaru Forester at Granite Subaru
The team at the family-owned and operated Granite Subaru Dealership are Subaru experts offering great customer service, treating you, our customer, just the way we treat our friends and neighbors.
Book a test drive and discover more about the new 2025 Forester. Our extensive inventory of quality new and pre-owned vehicles will help you find the perfect vehicle to satisfy your needs, budget, and lifestyle.
