2025 Subaru Forester

The first row of the Forester feels comfortable, practical, and surprisingly upscale in certain areas. There are definitely some materials and design choices I like more than others, but overall it still works really well as a family car.

The Front Seats Feel Comfortable Without Making The SUV Feel Huge

I really like the size of the Forester because it feels roomy without feeling oversized. The driver seat is comfortable, visibility is solid, and the overall layout works well for everyday driving.

• The panoramic sunroof feels easy to use: I actually liked the fully manual shade because it was quick and simple.
• The rearview camera mirror is incredibly helpful: especially once you install multiple car seats and lose rear visibility.

Subaru Mixed Premium Materials With A Very Busy Dashboard

There are some parts of this interior that genuinely feel sporty and almost luxurious, like the suede and two-tone leather seats. Then there are other areas where the buttons and infotainment system feel a little cheap to me.

• Physical climate controls are still here: I appreciate that Subaru kept actual buttons instead of hiding everything in menus.
• The piano black trim shows fingerprints badly: it gets messy really quickly.
• The wireless charger and heated seats are nice additions: plus ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel on higher trims.

Storage And Cupholders Stay Simple And Practical

The Forester keeps the front-row setup pretty straightforward with cupholders, decent storage, and an easy-to-understand layout.

• The center console gives you useful storage: enough space for everyday family clutter.
• The two cupholders are easy to reach: which honestly matters more than people think.

The second row is still one of the biggest reasons I recommend the Forester to families. Subaru uses the space extremely well, and while this is not the widest SUV in the category, certain three-across setups fit surprisingly well.

Lower anchors on both outboard seats and three tether anchors across the bench support multiple car seat setups

The Forester has lower anchors on both outboard seats plus a shared center lower anchor setup. There are also top tether anchors across all three second-row seating positions.

• Three-across works with slim seats: I fit two Graco SlimFit3 LX seats and a Peg Perego booster pretty comfortably.
• The shared center lower anchors limit some setups: you cannot use every position simultaneously with lower anchors.

The Recessed Buckles Make Booster Independence Harder

One thing I do not love is the recessed buckle design. When the buckle sits deep in the seat, it can make it much harder for kids to buckle themselves independently, especially if another seat is installed nearby.

• Booster access can get tight: slim seats help a lot here.
• The bench is wide but not enormous: three infant seats or three boosters would still be difficult.

Rear-Facing Clearance Works Well With Compact Car Seats

The Forester is not huge, so rear-facing seat selection matters if you are taller. With the Graco SlimFit3 LX installed, I still had comfortable clearance in front.

• There was still front-seat legroom for me: and I’m almost six feet tall.
• Compact rear-facing seats fit best: not every large convertible seat will work as comfortably.

Subaru Added Useful Comfort Features For Older Kids

The second row still feels very family-friendly even beyond the car seat years.

• Heated rear seats add comfort: plus USB and USB-C charging ports.
• The leather seatback pockets add extra organization: which I actually thought was a nice touch.