Subaru will reveal its new 2025 Forester on November 16 at the Los Angeles motor show, but you don’t need to wait until then to see it.
Leaked images have proliferated throughout the internet, being published on the Cars_secrets Instagram account as well as on this Imgur account, among other places.
The leaked images reveal both the interior and exterior of the sixth-generation SUV.
There’s a wider look, achieved via a larger grille and headlights that connect directly to it.
The distinctive crab-claw tail lights of the current model have made way for more conventional units, while the side creasing has been minimised but the wheel arches are bolder and more squared-off.
A little piece of grey plastic trim sits at the base of the A-pillar, tying in with a similar trim piece at the C-pillar. This particular variant also features distinctive bronze exterior accents, including the wheels.
As with the most recent Subaru products, inside there’s a portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system. Switchgear is minimal, though as with models like the Outback we can still see some physical climate controls flanking the screen.
It’s unclear what mechanical changes we should expect to see. It could continue to use the Subaru Global Platform, which was introduced in 2016 and which has been progressively rolled out across the range. The WRX was the latest recipient, moving to the platform in 2022.
The current Forester is offered in Australia with a choice of 2.0-litre hybrid and 2.5-litre naturally aspirated flat-four cylinder powertrains, though a 1.8-litre flat-four turbo is offered in Japan.
It’s unclear if Subaru will get access to Toyota’s more fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain for the new Forester. Toyota has made its hybrid system available to Mazda and Suzuki.
The current model was introduced in 2018, with a facelift coming in 2021. With 13,464 sold in Australia this year thus far, it’s the brand’s biggest seller.
“The next big big thing, because by [2026] every model in our range will have gone through a new generation model, Forester is next,” said Blair Read, managing director for Subaru Australia, earlier this year.
Mr Read was unable to share further details around the new Forester’s official timing or what to expect when it lands in Australia.
