The 2025 Forester lineup: four trims, two engine options, and what changes between them

The 2025 Subaru Forester comes in four trim levels—Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited—and you can pair each one with either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or the new turbocharged 2.4-liter engine. The Base and Premium trims use the standard 2.5L as their only option; the Sport and Limited can go either way. Engine choice affects power, fuel economy, and price, but trim level determines what features you actually live with: infotainment, safety tech, interior materials, and driving aids.

Understanding which combination matches your needs means knowing what each trim adds and what the turbo engine costs you in money versus what it gives you in performance. A Base Forester with the standard engine is a different ownership experience from a Limited with the turbo, even though they share the same platform and core safety systems.

Key Takeaways

  • Base and Premium trims come only with the 2.5-liter engine; Sport and Limited can choose between the 2.5L or the turbocharged 2.4L.
  • The turbo 2.4L produces 260 horsepower versus 182 for the standard 2.5L, but uses premium fuel and costs several thousand dollars more.
  • Trim level controls interior materials, infotainment screen size, safety features, and convenience options—not just price.
  • The Premium trim adds heated seats and a larger touchscreen over Base; Sport adds all-wheel drive tuning and exterior styling; Limited adds leather and a power liftgate.
  • All 2025 Foresters come standard with all-wheel drive, EyeSight Driver information (adaptive cruise and pre-collision), and a 6.5-inch touchscreen on Base.

Base trim: what you get and what you don't

The Base Forester starts with the 2.5-liter engine, all-wheel drive, and Subaru's EyeSight Driver information system as standard. You get a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a backup camera, and cloth upholstery. The interior is functional but plain: manual seat adjustments, no heated seats, and basic air conditioning. Exterior features include roof rails, LED headlights, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

What Base does not include: a power liftgate, leather, heated seats, or a larger infotainment screen. If you want those, you move to Premium. Base is the right choice if you need a Forester for basic transportation and don't plan to spend time in the car on cold mornings or long drives where seat heating and a nicer interior matter to you. It is also the entry point if you want to understand what Subaru considers essential—and that list is surprisingly complete for the price.

Premium trim: heated seats and a bigger screen

Premium adds heated front seats, an 8-inch touchscreen (versus 6.5 on Base), and dual-zone automatic climate control. The interior trim upgrades to a softer-touch dashboard, and you get power-adjustable front seats. Exterior changes are minimal: you keep the same 17-inch wheels and LED headlights, but Premium adds fog lights and a roof spoiler.

Premium is where most owners should start if they plan to keep the car for several years or drive in cold climates. The heated seats and larger screen are genuine quality-of-life improvements, and the automatic climate control means you set it once instead of adjusting it constantly. The price jump from Base to Premium is typically $2,000 to $2,500, which is reasonable for those additions. You are not paying for performance or styling here—you are paying for comfort and convenience that you will use every day.

Sport trim: all-wheel drive tuning and aggressive styling

Sport is where the Forester starts to feel like a driver's car rather than a practical box. It comes standard with the 2.5-liter engine, but you can order the turbocharged 2.4L here. Sport adds an electronically controlled all-wheel drive system tuned for better handling, a lower and stiffer suspension, and 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-season performance tires. The exterior gets a more aggressive front bumper, side skirts, and a roof spoiler.

Inside, Sport includes everything from Premium—heated seats, 8-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate—plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The real difference is how it drives: the suspension is noticeably firmer, and the AWD system responds faster to wheel slip, which matters if you take corners at speed or drive on unpaved roads regularly. If you choose the turbo 2.4L engine here, you add 78 horsepower and the need for premium fuel, but you get noticeably quicker acceleration and better passing performance on highways. Sport appeals to owners who want their Forester to feel more connected to the road, not just comfortable in it.

Limited trim: leather, power liftgate, and all the convenience features

Limited is the top trim and includes everything from Sport—the tuned AWD, 18-inch wheels, aggressive styling—plus leather upholstery on the seats and steering wheel, a power liftgate, and an 11.6-inch touchscreen (the largest in the lineup). You also get a power moonroof, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and heated rear seats. The exterior adds chrome trim and LED fog lights.

Limited can also be ordered with the turbocharged 2.4L engine. If you choose it, you get all the performance benefits of the turbo plus the comfort and tech of the top trim. This is the configuration for owners who want the full Forester experience: maximum power, maximum interior quality, and every convenience feature Subaru offers. The trade-off is price and fuel economy; the turbo 2.4L requires premium fuel and delivers roughly 2 to 3 miles per gallon less than the 2.5L across the board. Limited with the turbo is the most expensive configuration, but it is also the most complete.

Engine choice: 2.5L standard versus 2.4L turbo

The standard 2.5-liter engine produces 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. It runs on regular unleaded fuel, and EPA estimates are 26 miles per gallon city, 33 highway, and 29 combined for all-wheel drive models. It is adequate for daily driving and highway merging, though acceleration is leisurely if you are used to turbocharged vehicles or sportier cars. Most owners find it sufficient for typical use, and the fuel economy is respectable for a vehicle this size.

The turbocharged 2.4-liter engine produces 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque—a significant jump. It requires premium (91 octane or higher) fuel, and EPA estimates drop to 23 city, 30 highway, and 26 combined. The turbo is noticeably quicker off the line and makes highway passing feel less like a commitment. You can order the turbo only on Sport and Limited trims. The price difference is typically $2,500 to $3,000 depending on trim, plus the ongoing cost of premium fuel (usually 30 to 50 cents more per gallon than regular).

Choose the turbo if you drive a lot of highway miles, tow occasionally, or straightforward prefer quicker acceleration. Choose the standard 2.5L if you drive mostly in town, rarely merge onto fast highways, and want to save money on fuel and the initial purchase price. The turbo is not necessary for safe or capable driving; it is a choice about how you want the car to feel.

Standard features across all 2025 Forester models

Every 2025 Forester, regardless of trim or engine, comes with all-wheel drive, EyeSight Driver information (which includes adaptive cruise control and pre-collision system), a backup camera, and a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All models also include LED headlights, roof rails, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive system is standard on every configuration.

This means you are not sacrificing core safety or capability by choosing Base over Limited. The differences are comfort, convenience, and driving dynamics—not whether you have the fundamental tools to drive safely or handle weather and rough terrain. A Base Forester will handle snow, gravel, and highway driving just as competently as a Limited; it will just do so with a smaller screen and cloth seats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the turbo engine on a Base or Premium Forester?

No. The turbocharged 2.4L engine is only available on Sport and Limited trims. If you want the turbo, you must step up to Sport at minimum, which means you also get the tuned all-wheel drive system, 18-inch wheels, and more aggressive styling.

What is the real-world fuel economy difference between the 2.5L and turbo 2.4L?

EPA estimates show 3 miles per gallon difference in combined rating (29 for the 2.5L, 26 for the turbo). Real-world results depend on driving habits; highway driving narrows the gap, while city driving widens it. Premium fuel costs also add up over time, so factor that into your decision.

Is the Premium trim worth the extra cost over Base?

If you live in a cold climate or plan to keep the car long-term, yes. Heated seats and the larger 8-inch touchscreen are genuine improvements. If you drive mostly in warm weather and plan to trade in within five years, Base may be sufficient.

Do all Foresters come with all-wheel drive?

Yes. Subaru does not offer a front-wheel-drive Forester for 2025. All-wheel drive is standard across Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trims.

What happens if I put regular fuel in the turbo 2.4L engine?

The engine will run on regular fuel, but the engine control computer will retard timing to prevent knock, which reduces power output and efficiency. Over time, using regular fuel in a turbo engine designed for premium can cause carbon buildup and potentially damage the engine. Always use the fuel grade recommended in your owner's manual.