Cargazing
By Derek Price

Subaru’s Forester has long exemplified practical, no-nonsense transportation.

Now for 2025, the addition of a hybrid powertrain brings welcome improvements in efficiency without sacrificing the qualities that have made the model a perennial favorite.

The new Forester Hybrid combines a 2.5-liter boxer engine with electric motors for a combined output of 194 horsepower. While that’s a modest bump over the standard model, the electrification brings significant efficiency gains with EPA ratings of 35 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway, impressive figures for an all-wheel-drive vehicle with 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

Behind the wheel, the Forester Hybrid feels reassuringly solid and surprisingly refined.

The cabin remains noticeably quieter than the non-hybrid version, with the electric assistance smoothing out power delivery at lower speeds.

Acceleration, however, remains merely adequate. During testing on a construction-laden stretch of Interstate 30, early planning was necessary to reach safe merging speeds.

Where the Forester continues to excel is its exceptional utility. The boxy, upright shape maximizes interior volume, creating a cavernous cargo area that puts some larger vehicles to shame.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid maintains the model’s upright, practical shape while adding hybrid badges and unique wheels that hint at its improved efficiency.

With rear seats folded, the flat load floor and wide opening make it ideal for hauling bulky items that wouldn’t fit in sleeker-styled competitors.

Despite its practical shape and substantial ground clearance, the Forester drives with car-like composure. Steering is precise, the turning radius tight, and visibility exceptional thanks to the large greenhouse.

The standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive provides confident traction in all conditions without any driver intervention required.

The Premium trim I tested comes impressively equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, heated front seats, and Subaru’s comprehensive EyeSight driver assistance suite.
Interior materials prioritize durability over luxury, but everything feels well-assembled and purposeful.

The upright seating position provides excellent visibility, while the squared-off windows create an airy feel for all passengers. Rear seat space accommodates adults comfortably, while the wide-opening doors make child seat installation less of a back-straining exercise.

With its spacious, airy cabin and new digital displays, the Forester Hybrid prioritizes visibility, comfort and user-friendly technology over flashy design elements.

Off-road capability remains a Forester strength, with the X-MODE system optimizing the all-wheel-drive system for challenging conditions. The hybrid system integrates seamlessly, maintaining all the ground clearance and capability of the standard model, something not all hybrid SUVs can claim.

The Forester Hybrid faces strong competition from the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid, but it counters with superior off-road capability and better visibility. Its combination of efficiency, utility and all-weather confidence makes a compelling case for practical-minded shoppers.

For those who prioritize function over flash, the new Forester Hybrid represents a logical evolution of an already excellent package. Its blend of efficiency, capability and thoughtful design delivers everyday satisfaction that flashier competitors often miss.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Subaru Forester Premium Hybrid ($34,995). Options: None. Price as tested (including $1,420 destination charge): $36,415

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 105.1 in.
Length: 183.3 in.
Width: 72 in.
Height: 68.1 in.
Power: 2.4-liter four cylinder and two electric motors (194 combined hp)
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel Economy: 35 city, 34 highway

RATINGS

Style: 7
Performance: 6
Price: 9
Handling: 8
Ride: 7
Comfort: 7
Quality: 8
Overall: 9

WHY BUY IT?

The Forester Hybrid combines exceptional utility, impressive fuel economy and genuine off-road capability in a practical package that works equally well for outdoor adventures and everyday family use.

Cargazing
By Derek Price

Few cars on the market today connect driver to machine as effectively as the 2025 Subaru WRX.

In an era when many performance vehicles prioritize numbers over feel, the WRX remains gloriously analog in the ways that matter most.

The tS model I tested represents the performance pinnacle of the current WRX lineup, with enhancements that make an already capable car even more thrilling. At $48,740 as tested, it’s not inexpensive, but the pure driving enjoyment it delivers makes a compelling case for its value.

Let’s start with what makes this car special: the drivetrain.

The turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder produces 271 horsepower and 258 pound feet of torque, respectable figures that don’t tell the full story.

It’s how this power reaches the ground that distinguishes the WRX.

The six-speed manual transmission is an absolute joy to operate, with short, precise throws and excellent clutch feel.

The 2025 Subaru WRX tS features aggressive styling with functional aerodynamic elements, including a prominent hood scoop that feeds cool air to the turbocharged boxer engine.

Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system provides tenacious grip in all conditions. During several soaking rainstorms, the WRX demonstrated remarkable stability and confidence even as standing water collected on the roads.

Where other performance cars might become nervous and twitchy, the WRX simply dug in and went about its business.

The chassis feels alive beneath you, communicating road conditions while remaining composed when pushed hard. The steering is direct and well-weighted, if not quite as chatty as WRXs of generations past.

This is a car that eggs you on, encouraging you to carry more speed through corners than you initially thought possible.

The tS’s electronically controlled dampers strike a good balance between performance and daily comfort.

While still firm — you’ll feel every expansion joint and pothole — it’s not punishing. The adjustable drive modes make meaningful differences in ride quality and throttle response.

The heavily bolstered Recaro seats hold you firmly in place during aggressive driving while remaining reasonably comfortable on longer journeys.

Heavily bolstered Recaro seats and a precise six-speed manual transmission create a driver-focused cockpit that prioritizes control and engagement over flashy luxury features.

The 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen handles infotainment duties competently, while physical controls remain for climate functions.

The optional Harman Kardon audio system delivers impressive clarity and bass response, though true enthusiasts might be more interested in the engine’s soundtrack.

Fuel economy is predictably modest at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, but that’s the price of performance.

Longtime WRX devotees might note that the current generation feels more mature than its predecessors.

The rawness and mechanical intensity of the discontinued STI model is missed, but this evolution has made the WRX more livable day-to-day without sacrificing the fundamentals that make it special.

In a market trending toward isolation and electrification, the 2025 Subaru WRX tS stands as a celebration of internal combustion and driver involvement.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Subaru WRX tS ($45,705). Options: Harman Kardon speaker system ($1,865). Price as tested (including $1,170 destination charge): $48,740

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 105.2 in.
Length: 183.8 in.
Width: 71.9 in.
Height: 57.8 in.
Engine: Turbo boxer four cylinder (271 hp, 258 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel Economy: 19 city, 26 highway

RATINGS

Style: 9
Performance: 8
Price: 7
Handling: 9
Ride: 6
Comfort: 5
Quality: 7
Overall: 8

WHY BUY IT?

The Subaru WRX delivers a rare combination of all-weather capability, manual transmission engagement and rally-bred handling that creates pure driving joy in an increasingly sanitized automotive landscape.