The Ford Escape was treated to a refresh for the 2023 model year that gave the small crossover an edgier appearance and some new tech, along with a completely revamped trim level lineup. Thus far, that update has proven appealing to shoppers in this particular segment, as the PHEV model – in particular – is attracting a significant number of buyers from other brands. Regardless, competition is indeed fierce in this space, and following the debut of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek this past February – a Ford Bronco Sport rival – the Escape now has yet another new rival to do battle with in showrooms – the 2025 Subaru Forester.
Available in base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring trims, the 2025 Subaru Forester features a pretty comprehensive redesign in terms of its exterior styling, which is a bit boxier and more upright than its predecessor. It also features some nifty tricks such as a new air vent located in the rear of the wheel opening, which is designed to move air out of the wheel well and reduce lift at highway speeds. Underneath, Subaru also stiffened the Forester’s chassis by 10 percent to firm it up, while extra insulation reportedly makes the cabin quieter, too.
In terms of powertrains, the 2025 Subaru Forester offers just one – the 2.5L four-cylinder boxer engine, which generates 180 horsepower and 178 pound feet of torque. It’s mated to a CVT transmission and features torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive as standard, along with a revised version of the dual-pinion electronic power steering present in the WRX that reportedly gives the new Forester a more connected feel on all kinds of surfaces.
Inside the cabin, the 2025 Forester gets a new infotainment screen that measures seven inches in the base model and 11.6 inches in higher trims, coupled with niceties such as standard dual-zone climate control and ventilated/heated seats for the Touring trim, plus plenty of padded surfaces and scratch-resistant plastics. Deliveries of the revised crossover are slated to being in spring of 2024, though as is usually the case, pricing has yet to be announced.
We’ll have more on everything Ford’s competition is up to soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comments
Escape is available with the 2.0L EcoBoost powertrain, 8 speed automatic transmission, 250HP, 275pound feet torque. The Forester with CVT will not compete with this trim in terms of performance or driving fun. But one can always trade off driving fun for reliability and resale value.
That’s exactly what I’ve just done. This will be my last car and after a lifetime of Fords, I’m heartbroken over what’s happened to them in recent years.
I still have a blue oval on my grill. It just doesn’t say Ford.