Recommended Free Tools
The redesigned 2025 Subaru Forester has a convincing case for shoppers who value visibility, easy entry, a comfortable cabin, standard all-wheel drive and useful cargo access. Those strengths do not make it the compact-SUV class leader in every measure: the Honda CR-V offers more cargo room and nearly two extra inches of rear legroom, and the Forester’s touchscreen may feel slow or dated to some drivers. “Underrated” is a way to frame the trade-offs, not a measured verdict about what shoppers think.
What is new for the 2025 Subaru Forester?
The 2025 Forester is a redesigned sixth-generation model. Consumer Reports highlights the qualities that carry its appeal: outward visibility, cabin room, ride comfort and standard all-wheel drive. Those practical strengths help explain why it deserves a look even if a shopper’s first comparison is another compact SUV.
10 reasons the 2025 Forester might be underrated
1. It is easy to see out of
Large windows, relatively thin roof pillars and a low hood give the driver a good view, according to Edmunds’ comparison of the Forester and Honda CR-V. Visibility can make everyday driving and parking feel less demanding, though that benefit is a matter of fit and preference. Edmunds’ Forester–CR-V comparison, republished by AP.
2. Getting in and out is straightforward
Edmunds also praises the Forester’s entry points. That is a useful advantage for drivers who regularly help passengers climb in, load children, or simply prefer not to duck down into a low seat. The best check is a real sit-in: door opening and seat height matter differently to different people.
#1 Best Overall
- [Product Specification] Dimension: L5.3" x W2.6" x H1.7"; Weight: 0.9 lb / 410 g; Color: black.
- [Material] This Forester toy car is made primarily from diecast metal with plastic parts and rubber tires, ensuring durability and making it a robust toy vehicle or a collectible item.
- [Interactive Functions] Equipped with a pull-back mechanism, opening doors, hood, and trunk, as well as light and sound effects, this 1/30 Forester model car offers immersive and engaging fun.
- [Detailed Design] This Forester SUV toy displays a detailed design that mimics the actual Forester, complete with a rugged bumper, openable doors, realistic tires, and a detailed interior. These elements make the toy car not only fun to play with but also a great display piece.
- [Perfect for Collectors and Kids] It’s a great addition to any model car collectors or as a gift for kids (Birthday and Christmas Gifts Choice). Whether you’re a dedicated model car collector or looking for a memorable gift for a child, this Forester diecast model car is always a perfect choice.
3. All-wheel drive is standard
Consumer Reports lists standard all-wheel drive among the Forester’s core strengths. That means shoppers do not have to select a particular drivetrain option to get it. It may be appealing in regions where drivers encounter snow or wet roads, but all-wheel drive does not replace appropriate tires or safe driving.
4. Its cabin is roomy and comfortable
Consumer Reports describes the redesigned Forester as having a roomy cabin and comfortable ride. Those qualities matter on routine errands as much as on longer trips: passengers need space, and a comfortable ride can make time behind the wheel easier. The CR-V does have an advantage in rear legroom, so rear-seat passengers should compare both in person.
Rank #2
- [Product Specification] Dimension: L5.3" x W2.6" x H1.7"; Weight: 0.9 lb / 410 g; Color: Blue.
- [Material] This Forester toy car is made primarily from diecast metal with plastic parts and rubber tires, ensuring durability and making it a robust toy vehicle or a collectible item.
- [Interactive Functions] Equipped with a pull-back mechanism, opening doors, hood, and trunk, as well as light and sound effects, this 1/30 Forester model car offers immersive and engaging fun.
- [Detailed Design] This Forester SUV toy displays a detailed design that mimics the actual Forester, complete with a rugged bumper, openable doors, realistic tires, and a detailed interior. These elements make the toy car not only fun to play with but also a great display piece.
- [Perfect for Collectors and Kids] It’s a great addition to any model car collectors or as a gift for kids (Birthday and Christmas Gifts Choice). Whether you’re a dedicated model car collector or looking for a memorable gift for a child, this Forester diecast model car is always a perfect choice.
5. The cargo opening is broad and usable
Consumer Reports’ road-test summary reports 38.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity and describes an unencumbered cargo area with an expansive liftgate opening. The opening’s shape and access can be as useful as the published volume when loading bulky everyday items. The CR-V offers more cargo space, however, so the Forester should be considered practical rather than a segment space leader. Consumer Reports’ 2025 Forester road-test report.
6. Its safety ratings include several strong results
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) designates the 2025 Forester a Top Safety Pick for trims other than Wilderness. IIHS reports Good ratings for small overlap front, updated side, whiplash prevention and headlights, as well as standard vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian front crash prevention. The updated moderate-overlap front rating is Acceptable, not Good. The trim exclusion and mixed ratings matter: check the exact vehicle and test category rather than treating the award as applying to every Forester. IIHS 2025 Subaru Forester ratings.
7. Some driver-assistance features are standard
IIHS lists lane departure warning and lane departure prevention as standard, alongside the standard front crash-prevention systems it rates. Blind-spot detection and rear automatic braking are listed as available features. Because availability can depend on the vehicle configuration, confirm the equipment on the specific trim being considered.
8. Its controls may suit drivers who prefer physical buttons
Edmunds notes that the Forester combines a portrait-oriented touchscreen with analog gauges and physical controls. Drivers who want familiar, tactile controls may prefer that mix to an interface that places more functions on a screen. It is a subjective advantage, not a claim that one layout is best for everyone.
Rank #4
- Create an elite Hot Wheels collection with a Hot Wheels Premium Car Culture vehicle.
- Each 1:64 scale die-cast car or truck has premium execution with Real Riders tires and Metal/Metal body and chassis.
- Different themed mixes are released throughout the year to appeal to collectors and to represent the most on-trend vehicles from around the world.
- The packaging art enhances collectability, making each one perfect for play or display.
- Each Hot Wheels Car Culture vehicle is officially licensed and designed for the true automobile enthusiast.
9. The touchscreen is a trade-off shoppers can assess themselves
In the same comparison, Edmunds says the touchscreen may respond slowly and look dated. That is a reviewer’s assessment, not a controlled response-time benchmark, and individual reactions will differ. Test the functions you use most—such as navigation or audio—before deciding whether the screen is a problem for you.
10. Its appeal is practical rather than dependent on one headline advantage
The Forester’s case rests on a combination of visibility, entry, comfort, standard all-wheel drive, cargo access and safety equipment. That blend may suit a shopper better than maximizing any single measurement. The trade-off is clear: buyers prioritizing maximum cargo capacity or rear legroom should give the CR-V a close look, while interface preferences are best judged from the driver’s seat.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Best Value
- Matchbox 2019 Subaru Forester, Blue 78/100
- Product type: non-drivable toy
- Brand: Matchbox
How does the 2025 Forester compare with the Honda CR-V?
| What to compare | 2025 Subaru Forester | 2025 Honda CR-V |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility and entry | Edmunds praises its view out, large windows, thin roof pillars, low hood and entry points. | The cited comparison does not establish the same visibility or entry advantage for the CR-V. |
| Rear legroom | Nearly two inches less than the CR-V, according to Edmunds. | Nearly two inches more than the Forester, according to Edmunds. |
| Cargo space | Consumer Reports reports 38.5 cubic feet; Edmunds says the CR-V has more cargo space. | More cargo space than the Forester, according to Edmunds; the cited comparison does not give a directly comparable volume here. |
| All-wheel drive | Standard, according to Consumer Reports. | The cited sources do not establish the CR-V’s drivetrain availability by configuration. |
| Controls and screen | Edmunds notes a portrait touchscreen that may seem slow or dated, alongside analog gauges and physical controls. | The cited comparison does not provide a directly comparable assessment of screen responsiveness or control familiarity. |
| Safety qualification | IIHS Top Safety Pick, excluding Wilderness trim; updated moderate-overlap front rating is Acceptable. | The cited sources do not provide a comparable CR-V award or test-rating breakdown. |
The comparison favors different priorities rather than producing a universal winner. The Forester’s standard all-wheel drive, visibility and entry may matter most to some shoppers; the CR-V’s additional rear legroom and cargo space may matter more to others. Compare specific configurations and test the features that affect your daily use.
Is the 2025 Subaru Forester a good SUV?
It can be a good fit if you want standard all-wheel drive, an easy-to-see-out-of cabin, straightforward entry, a comfortable ride and practical cargo access. Its strongest case is the way those features work together. It is a less obvious choice for someone who wants the most cargo space or rear legroom in this comparison, or who is especially sensitive to touchscreen responsiveness.
Quick Recap
What to check before choosing a trim
- Safety award eligibility: The IIHS Top Safety Pick designation excludes Wilderness trim.
- Driver-assistance equipment: Lane departure warning and prevention are standard; blind-spot detection and rear automatic braking are listed as available. Verify the equipment on the exact vehicle.
- Fit and access: Sit in both rows and load the kinds of items you carry to judge entry, passenger comfort and cargo opening for yourself.
- Infotainment: Try the touchscreen and physical controls rather than relying on a general description of how they feel.
- Specifications and current details: Check Subaru’s official 2025 Forester specs and trims page for the exact configuration. Confirm current pricing, availability and fuel-economy figures against the specific vehicle and current official listings; the figures available here do not establish a lineup-wide MPG result.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
