2025 Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid: SUV Tough, Car Easy

Subaru’s sixth-generation Forester doesn’t just look good—it brings back the soul of the original. The brand once marketed the Forester with the slogan “SUV tough, Car easy,” and this new Touring Hybrid trim delivers exactly that: a refined, rugged utility vehicle that’s ready for your daily commute and mountain backroads.

Exterior

The exterior design is a beautiful evolution that feels like a tribute to earlier Foresters, but modernized. The front fascia features LED responsive headlights, a blacked-out grille with a centered Subaru badge, and fog lights that sit neatly under a bold front end. The 8.7 inches of ground clearance gives it legit off-road stance without sacrificing approachability.

From the sides, you’ll notice plastic wheel well trim—smartly designed to resist scuffs from trailside brush. The Touring model’s 19-inch alloy wheels look clean and sharp, while black mirrors and a low-profile roof rack complete the sporty yet purposeful vibe. Out back, integrated LED taillights and greyed-out badging add to its confident stance. In short: it came together beautifully.

Interior & Function

The Forester Touring Hybrid is impressively functional. The power rear liftgate opens to 27.5 cu. ft. of cargo space—up to 69.1 cu. ft. with the 60/40 rear seats down. Inside, the seating is luxurious: heated and ventilated leather front seats, heated rear seats, and loads of space—over 41 inches of headroom and 43 inches of legroom up front.

The 12.3-inch digital cluster and 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen integrate well, though I think the user interface could use a refresh. That said, it’s one of the cleanest and most driver-friendly cabins Subaru’s ever built—especially when you consider where they were a few generations ago.

Powertrain & Efficiency

Powering the Touring Hybrid is Subaru’s new 2.5-liter BOXER engine, paired with two electric motors and a Lineartronic CVT. Output is a respectable 194 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque—more than enough for city cruising and highway merging. But the real win is efficiency: 35 mpg combined, which is about 40% better than the standard Forester. Plus, the 16.6-gallon tank gives you a projected 581-mile range—ideal for long road trips with fewer stops.

Driving Experience

On road

The driving experience is confident. You get great visibility, nimble handling, and a composed ride. Acceleration is “good enough”—it’s not a WRX, but it’s not sluggish either. The Symmetrical AWD system remains a hallmark—still one of the best in the segment and made the Forester really shine off-road.

Off-Road

Subaru didn’t forget the trail. The 2025 Forester Touring Hybrid features 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it one of the more trail-capable crossovers in its class. It’s not trying to be a rock crawler, but it’ll comfortably handle gravel roads, uneven terrain, and muddy trailheads without breaking a sweat.

Add in X-Mode with Hill Descent Control—which optimizes throttle response, AWD power distribution, and braking in slippery or steep conditions—and the Forester becomes a true all-weather, all-surface companion. Whether you're navigating a snowy backroad or crossing a campsite after a rainy night, this SUV feels planted and in control.

Final Thoughts

With a sticker price of $44,005, the 2025 Forester Touring Hybrid gives you luxury-level amenities, genuine all-weather capability, and the fuel economy of a commuter car. I’d give it a 9 out of 10.