2025 Subaru Forester line-up detailed in full

UPDATE, 28/05/2025: Subaru Australia has filled in the blanks and announced the rest of the 2025 Forester's specification details as well as its pricing, with the new-generation medium SUV set to start from $43,490 plus on-road costs and enter local showrooms in July.

That starting figure is the best part of $5000 upstream of the old model's opening price, though Subaru argues the Forester's value factor is still strong in relation to the raft of upgrades the new model brings – a full pricing breakdown can be found below this update.

In terms of the powertrains, the base 2.5-litre petrol engine outputs 136kW of power and 247Nm of torque (+8Nm) and drives all four wheels via a revised continuously variable transmission and symmetrical all-wheel drive system while the new 'Strong Hybrid' is good for a combined 145kW.

Fuel consumption for the two options is pegged at 7.9L/100km and 6.2L/100km respectively while CO2 emissions sit at 180g/km and 140g/km.

While each model's headline appointments and equipment is detailed below, it's worth noting hybrid variants don't come with a spare wheel – petrols come with a full-sizer – unless you opt for the new optional external rack that mounts via the tow bar.

Speaking of towing, the petrols are rated to lug up to 1800kg braked with a 180kg tow ball down weight compared to the petrol's lesser 120kg.

How much does the 2025 Subaru Forester cost?
Forester AWD – $43,490
Premium AWD – $46,490
Sport AWD – $48,490
Touring AWD – $50,990
Hybrid AWD – $46,490
Hybrid Sport AWD – $54,990
Hybrid Touring AWD – $55,990
* Prices exclude on-road costs

ORIGINAL, 04/04/2025: Subaru has confirmed a seven-model line-up, basic equipment details and a stronger emphasis on hybrid for the sixth-generation Forester medium SUV range, which makes its Australasian debut at the Melbourne motor show this weekend.

While much detail remained unstated at a media preview this week, it was clear the new Forester is very much an evolution of what has come before it, retaining a five-seat layout, boxer four-cylinder engines and permanent all-wheel drive for all models.

With the new version of its biggest seller not due in showrooms until mid-year, Subaru Australia would not discuss pricing, which currently starts at $38,690 plus on-road costs (ORCs) and climbs to $50,140 plus ORCs for the outgoing model.

Shrouded in a new and more muscular body, the latest Forester will be offered in four 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder boxer engine trims and three with the significantly upgraded ‘Strong’ hybrid system that was developed with Toyota’s assistance and only confirmed for Australia last February.

Currently, there are five petrol models and two mild hybrids.

All seven models will continue to employ a Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (now with eight rather than seven gear steps) and Subaru’s signature permanent mechanical all-wheel drive.

The mechanical bit is particularly important to Subaru, as the company recently explained.

The obvious question is whether Subaru has done enough to keep the Forester competitive in Australia’s biggest-selling segment against traditional foes such as the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail, plus Chinese newcomers including the GWM Haval H6 and MG HS.

Once one of the most popular models in the segment on sales, the fifth-generation Forester has been seventh in the segment sales race over the last two years.

“What I am most excited about with [new] Forester – it is our first Strong Hybrid in the segment, it brings together [the] boxer engine and symmetrical all-wheel drive,” said Subaru Australia general manager, Scott Lawrence.

“Having a Strong Hybrid option is really important because it allows the customers to choose.”

The petrol model starts with AWD and then progresses through Premium, Sport and Touring grades. There is no Premium model in the hybrid line-up, for which Subaru provided no specific reason at this week’s briefing.

Key gen-six mechanical data, including performance and fuel consumption figures for the Australian-spec Forester, remain unstated for now.

But a lot of detail was released when the US-spec was unveiled at the LA motor show in November 2023.

Subaru Australia is also refusing to confirm if the Forester will maintain its five-star ANCAP rating, only stating it will be tested by the independent safety authority.

Subaru has also only stated the new hybrid system will upgrade from a 2.0 to a 2.5-litre boxer engine, its hybrid system also employing a 90kW e-motor and a 1.1kWh battery pack.

They help deliver a claimed 1000km-plus range based on ADR laboratory testing, which equates to around 6.2-6.3L/100km, if the Australian-spec Forester retains the same 62.8L tank as the US version.

Key updates to the Forester that Subaru did want to promote this week include:

Bolder styling. While it’s based on a 10 per cent stiffer version of the same Subaru Global platform as its predecessor and is only slightly bigger, the new Forester is distinctly differentiated in its looks predominantly because customers said generation four and five were too similar. Key features include a wider grille, redesigned LED headlights, new and more ‘geometric’ wheel arch cladding, the Forester logo stamped in the tailgate and the use of 19-inch alloy wheels as a permanent part of the range for the first time.

Improved safety. Subaru’s EyeSight safety system has been updated for generation six with a wider-angle, faster-responding monocular camera. Another new safety feature is Emergency Driving Stop, which will bring the car to a halt if the driver becomes unresponsive while the adaptive cruise control is active.

Interior revisions. The fifth-generation Forester has no fewer than three digital screens and a forest of buttons festooning the dashboard and steering wheel. Gen six, however, is a lot less frantic. All models get a single 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Some hybrids also get a digital instrument panel.

One bit of equipment missing from the hybrid is a spare tyre. But Subaru Australia has committed to finding an accessory solution by the time gen-six goes on-sale.

Forester AWD

Forester AWD Premium adds:

Forester AWD Sport adds:

Forester AWD Touring adds:

Forester AWD Hybrid

Forester AWD Hybrid Sport adds:

Forester AWD Hybrid Touring adds:

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