2025 Subaru Forester unveiled

The 2025 Subaru Forester has been unveiled, ahead of Australian showroom arrivals expected sometime next year.

The sixth-generation Forester is based on the underpinnings of its predecessor – which was all new when introduced in 2018 – with a slightly larger body, new technology, and improved safety.

Australian arrival timing is yet to be announced; it is due in US Subaru showrooms in the northern spring (Australia's autumn) of 2024.

Subaru Australia says its "focus" is on a Model Year 2024 version of the outgoing Forester, due in early 2024. It means the new model is not due until closer to the end of the year as a Model Year 2025 vehicle.

US specifications show the new Forester is 15mm longer and 7mm wider than its predecessor – but tellingly it sits on the same wheelbase (distance between the front and rear wheels), indicating an evolution of the previous model.

The body shell and chassis are 10 per cent stiffer than before – with more structural adhesive – to improve suspension comfort, handling and reduce noise, according to Subaru.

Reports of a turbocharged engine are yet to come to fruition, as all US models are powered by a familiar 2.5-litre non-turbo four-cylinder 'boxer' petrol engine matched with a continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive.

It is less powerful than the previous model – 134kW, down from 136kW – but produces more torque (241Nm vs 239Nm). Paddle-shifters behind the steering wheel are available.

A hybrid is due to follow at a later date.

Under the skin Subaru has added the dual-pinion electric power steering from the WRX sports sedan, plus a choice of 17-inch, 18-inch and 19-inch alloy wheels, and dual-function X-Mode off-road drive modes on top-of-the-range models.

The Forester debuts a new design language for Subaru, ditching the C-shaped lighting signatures and other styling cues common to the company's models.

It is blockier and more US-like in appearance, with LED headlights and tail-lights, a black grille in multiple models, and bronze highlights on the Sport model in the US.

Inside, the Forester adopts the 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen from the WRX, Outback and other models, with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, satellite navigation, and over-the-air software updates.

The SUV retains a mix of analogue and digital instruments – rather than the widescreen instrument display available on most rivals – while Subaru claims there are slimmer and more comfortable front seats for improved interior space.

Available features include dual-zone climate control, hands-free tech for a power tailgate, keyless entry and start, wireless smartphone charging, heated and ventilated front seats, and "heavy-duty" hooks in the boot.

In the US there is support for Subaru Starlink connected services – including remote unlocking/locking and vehicle location – available through a smartphone app. This may not be available in Australia.

The safety suite has been upgraded with a new camera and sensors, updated software and the addition of an electric brake booster.

Subaru says the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system can "identify cyclists and pedestrians at intersections sooner" – and brake for them to prevent a crash.

Other available features include AEB in reverse, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, a driver monitoring system, 360-degree camera, and new for the latest model, a feature which will pull the car over if the driver is unresponsive to requests to take over control from the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist systems.

The 2025 Subaru Forester is due in US showrooms next year. Australian arrival timing is yet to be outlined.

"We're incredibly excited about the global reveal of the next generation Subaru Forester and we look forward to sharing more information about this model for the Australian market in due course," a Subaru Australia spokesperson told Drive.

"In the meantime, our focus remains on the arrival of [Model Year 2024] MY24 Subaru Forester in early 2024."