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I honestly think Subaru did a really good job refreshing the Forester for 2025. It still feels like the practical family SUV I’ve always recommended, but now it finally looks and feels more modern inside and out.
- Three top tether anchors across the back row: I love that all three second-row seats can support a forward-facing car seat setup.
- Five lower anchors give families flexibility: there are dedicated lower anchors on both outboard seats plus a shared center setup for certain configurations.
- Three-across setups can actually work here: I was able to fit a Peg Perego booster with two Graco SlimFit3 LX seats pretty comfortably.
- The rearview camera mirror is a game changer: visibility instantly improves when car seats or passengers block the back window.
- Rear-facing space works for taller drivers: with a compact seat like the Graco SlimFit3 LX, I still had good clearance in front.
- The trunk space feels huge for a five-passenger SUV: there’s plenty of room for strollers, gear, and everyday family life.
- The refreshed styling finally feels modern: this Forester no longer feels dated like the previous generation did.
The Exterior
The 2025 Forester finally feels updated. Subaru kept the same practical shape and family-friendly size, but the redesign makes it feel much more modern and polished than the outgoing version.
The 2025 Refresh Makes The Forester Feel More Current
The previous Forester design honestly started to feel dated, even when it was brand new. This redesign keeps the same overall size and functionality but gives the SUV a much sleeker look.
- The front end looks sharper: the headlights and grille feel more modern without completely changing the Forester’s personality.
- The overall shape still stays practical: Subaru did not sacrifice visibility or cargo usability just to make it sporty.
Subaru Still Prioritizes Function Over Flash
I really appreciate that Subaru didn’t try to turn the Forester into a coupe SUV. The upright shape still helps maximize passenger space, visibility, and cargo room.
- The size feels manageable: it’s large enough for families but still easy to drive and park.
- The Forester still feels rugged: Subaru kept that outdoorsy personality without overdoing it.
First Row
The first row of the Forester feels comfortable, practical, and surprisingly upscale in certain areas. There are definitely some materials and design choices I like more than others, but overall it still works really well as a family car.
The Front Seats Feel Comfortable Without Making The SUV Feel Huge
I really like the size of the Forester because it feels roomy without feeling oversized. The driver seat is comfortable, visibility is solid, and the overall layout works well for everyday driving.
- The panoramic sunroof feels easy to use: I actually liked the fully manual shade because it was quick and simple.
- The rearview camera mirror is incredibly helpful: especially once you install multiple car seats and lose rear visibility.
Subaru Mixed Premium Materials With A Very Busy Dashboard
There are some parts of this interior that genuinely feel sporty and almost luxurious, like the suede and two-tone leather seats. Then there are other areas where the buttons and infotainment system feel a little cheap to me.
- Physical climate controls are still here: I appreciate that Subaru kept actual buttons instead of hiding everything in menus.
- The piano black trim shows fingerprints badly: it gets messy really quickly.
- The wireless charger and heated seats are nice additions: plus ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel on higher trims.
Storage And Cupholders Stay Simple And Practical
The Forester keeps the front-row setup pretty straightforward with cupholders, decent storage, and an easy-to-understand layout.
- The center console gives you useful storage: enough space for everyday family clutter.
- The two cupholders are easy to reach: which honestly matters more than people think.
Second Row
The second row is still one of the biggest reasons I recommend the Forester to families. Subaru uses the space extremely well, and while this is not the widest SUV in the category, certain three-across setups fit surprisingly well.
Lower anchors on both outboard seats and three tether anchors across the bench support multiple car seat setups
The Forester has lower anchors on both outboard seats plus a shared center lower anchor setup. There are also top tether anchors across all three second-row seating positions.
- Three-across works with slim seats: I fit two Graco SlimFit3 LX seats and a Peg Perego booster pretty comfortably.
- The shared center lower anchors limit some setups: you cannot use every position simultaneously with lower anchors.
The Recessed Buckles Make Booster Independence Harder
One thing I do not love is the recessed buckle design. When the buckle sits deep in the seat, it can make it much harder for kids to buckle themselves independently, especially if another seat is installed nearby.
- Booster access can get tight: slim seats help a lot here.
- The bench is wide but not enormous: three infant seats or three boosters would still be difficult.
Rear-Facing Clearance Works Well With Compact Car Seats
The Forester is not huge, so rear-facing seat selection matters if you are taller. With the Graco SlimFit3 LX installed, I still had comfortable clearance in front.
- There was still front-seat legroom for me: and I’m almost six feet tall.
- Compact rear-facing seats fit best: not every large convertible seat will work as comfortably.
Subaru Added Useful Comfort Features For Older Kids
The second row still feels very family-friendly even beyond the car seat years.
- Heated rear seats add comfort: plus USB and USB-C charging ports.
- The leather seatback pockets add extra organization: which I actually thought was a nice touch.
Third Row
Trunk
The Forester continues to have one of the most practical trunks in this category. Because it stays a five-passenger SUV, you get a really usable cargo area without sacrificing space to a third row.
The Forester Uses Its 27.5 Cubic Feet Extremely Well
The 2025 Forester offers 27.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, and honestly, it feels bigger than that number suggests because of how square and usable the space is.
- The trunk easily handles bulky family gear: strollers, groceries, sports equipment, and larger baby items fit comfortably.
- The boxy shape makes loading easier: there is not a super sloped rear roofline cutting into usable cargo space.
Subaru Maximized Space Without Making The SUV Feel Huge
This is one of those SUVs that feels much bigger on the inside than it does from the outside. I really think Subaru does one of the best jobs in this category of maximizing every inch for families.
Safety
The 2025 Subaru Forester Earned An IIHS Top Safety Pick Award
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2025 Subaru Forester earned a Top Safety Pick designation.
Seatbelt Pretensioners Are Included In The Front And Rear Outboard Seats
The 2025 Forester includes seatbelt pretensioners for the driver, front passenger, and both rear outboard seating positions.
Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology Comes Standard
The 2025 Forester includes standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology with:
- Pre-Collision Braking
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Keep Assist
Available Safety Technology Adds Additional Visibility Features
Available safety and visibility features include:
- Rearview camera mirror
- Blind-Spot Detection
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Surround-view monitor
The 2025 Subaru Forester continues to be one of my favorite compact SUVs for families trying to fit multiple car seats. The bench is not massive, but Subaru uses the space really efficiently and certain three-across combinations work surprisingly well.
Five lower anchors and three tether anchors give families flexibility
The Forester has five lower anchors total: dedicated lower anchors on both outboard seats plus a shared center lower anchor setup. There are also three top tether anchors across the second row.
- Both outboard seats have full LATCH setups: including dedicated lower anchors and tether anchors.
- The center lower anchor setup shares with the outboard seat: so certain combinations work better than others.
Three-Across Setups Work Best With Slim Car Seats
I was able to fit two Graco SlimFit3 LX seats alongside a Peg Perego booster pretty comfortably. That said, this is not a giant SUV, so you still need to be strategic about seat selection.
- Slim seats work best here: three infant seats or three boosters would be difficult.
- The recessed buckles can make booster independence harder: especially when another seat is installed nearby.
Rear-Facing Space Depends On The Car Seat You Choose
Rear-facing clearance is solid with compact car seats, but taller drivers will want to be mindful about which seat they install.
- The Graco SlimFit3 LX fit very well: even with the driver seat adjusted for someone nearly six feet tall.
- Not every rear-facing seat will fit the same way: larger seats may reduce front-seat space more significantly.
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