2025 Subaru Forester – 2.0 Petrol Boxer Engine & AWD for Under £40k!

March 27, 2025

Subaru doesn’t do things like everyone else. While most brands chase style over substance, dazzle you with tech, and try to convince you how sustainable-savvy they are, Subaru quietly gets on with making tough, dependable all-wheel-drive SUVs that outlive most of their owners’ vegetable patches (as they witness weeds reclaim their allotment ambitions).
The Subaru Forester is now in its sixth generation with the new 2025 model. 28 years after the original first hit the roads, over five million Foresters have been sold globally. It remains a favourite among those who want a proper SUV that is built for the daily grind. Plus, under the bonnet, there’s still an internal combustion engine.
But with competition from the Honda ZR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4, has Subaru done enough to make this one stand out? More importantly, does it still feel like a Subaru, or has it gone soft in an era of watered-down crossovers?
Subaru doesn’t always get top marks for styling, but this time? Well, it is easily the best-resolved Forester in years, shaking off the memory of ungainly predecessors. It’s got stronger lines, a more sculpted stance, and an overall look that feels more cohesive than its predecessor. The new grille, sleek LED headlights with cornering lamps, and redesigned bumpers give it a sharper presence.
The 19-inch alloy wheels on this Touring model fill the arches nicely, while the black trim accents add a rugged touch. Subaru’s also included Easter egg details, like a hummingbird motif on the windscreen and prints on the rear door trim, adding a bit of personality.
Step inside, and it’s clear Subaru has put function first while still improving comfort and tech. The 11.6-inch infotainment system dominates the centre console, now with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 360-degree camera, and built-in navigation that even supports what3words to pin-point where you want to go.
The Touring trim gets black leather and suede seats, heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The driver’s seat is 10-way electrically adjustable with lumbar support, while the passenger seat gets 8-way electric adjustment.
Subaru’s also worked on reducing cabin noise by 39%, and the new seats are designed to minimise head sway by reducing lower back movement. It’s hard to say if you’ll feel the difference, but the ride is certainly comfortable and refined, even on rougher surfaces.
SUVs should be practical, and the Forester still nails that brief. Boot space is 508 litres, expanding to 1,796 litres with the seats down – plenty of room for everything from the family shop to a trip to the skip. The gesture-controlled power tailgate (standard on Field and Touring trims) is a nice touch, though, like most of these systems, it might not always work on the first try.
Rear seat space is generous, even for taller passengers. At 6’2”, I had plenty of legroom, and thanks to the large windows and panoramic sunroof, the cabin feels airy and spacious rather than claustrophobic.
Under the bonnet is Subaru’s 2.0-litre e-Boxer mild-hybrid petrol engine, producing 136bhp and 182Nm of torque. It’s paired with a Lineartronic CVT gearbox and, of course, Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.
It’s not a speed demon, taking 12.2 seconds to hit 62mph, with a top speed of 116mph. But then nobody buys a Forester for performance. This is a car built for rugged capability, not drag races.
Subaru claims this is the only proper AWD SUV in this segment that starts under £40k, giving it an edge over front-wheel-drive rivals when the weather turns bad or when you need to venture off the beaten track.
Fuel economy? Subaru claims 35mpg combined, with CO2 emissions of 183g/km. Not the most economical or cleanest in class, but that clearly wasn’t the priority.
Subaru has made big improvements to ride and handling. The chassis is 10% stiffer than before, and the new dual-pinion electric power steering system provides a more natural feel than most modern electronic setups. Visibility is excellent, thanks to redesigned wing mirrors and a lower beltline, giving you a clear view of the road ahead.
The Forester’s ride is on the firmer side, but not harsh. It soaks up bumps well, and there’s surprisingly little body roll (which you might expect on an SUV with 220mm ground clearance), and it feels composed through corners.
Off-road, Subaru’s X-MODE system is a standout feature, with modes for Snow, Deep Snow, and Mud. The 1,870kg towing capacity also makes it a solid choice for those needing to haul trailers or small caravans.
The 2025 Forester features 15 advanced safety features, with new additions like Emergency Driving Stop System and Traffic Sign Recognition. The Driver Monitoring System has also been upgraded, now detecting microsleeps and wandering eye-line movements, helping prevent fatigue-related accidents.
With nine airbags, including a new front seat centre airbag, and features like blind spot monitoring, lane change assist, and reverse automatic braking, this is one of the safest SUVs on the market.
The 2025 Forester comes in three trims. Limited (£38,995) – 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, 11.6-inch infotainment, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, and 360-degree camera. Field (£40,440) which adds a powered gesture tailgate, heated steering wheel, rear privacy glass, and water-repellent seats. The range-topper is the Touring (£42,995) which brings 19-inch alloys, a power sunroof, heated rear seats, and black leather & suede upholstery.
The 2025 Subaru Forester stays true to its roots while adding modern tech and refinement. It’s still safe, tough, and capable, but now it’s also better to drive, quieter inside, and packed with features.
It’s neither quick nor efficient, doesn’t come as an EV, and definitely can’t be called sexy. However, it is entirely practical and feels built to last. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense SUV that majors on useability, put this on your shortlist.