A perfectly sensible vehicle
Conservative and practical, rational, not rapid, the 2025 Subaru Forester is all-new this year, but its newness doesn't mean a change in its personality. It remains what it always has been, it's just dressed a bit differently after going through a total redesign. More refined than before and quieter at speed, the cabin offers 111 cubic feet of passenger space and 27 cubic feet of cargo volume, which expands to 74 cubic feet. Anchoring the cabin is a standard 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, with an 11.6-inch display being an optional choice. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto come standard. Its large, on-screen buttons are easy to use, but its design is graceless.
A 180 horsepower 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission come with standard all-wheel drive. Power delivery is smooth, but there isn't that much power on tap, and the powertrain isn't quick to respond when additional power is requested. The steering is uncommunicative, but the ride is comfortable and well-controlled. Fuel economy is good, however, at 29 mpg, and towing is rated at 1,500 pounds.
The 2025 Subaru Forester supplies the innocuous, everyday hauling most people expect without muss, fuss, or bother. Flashy? No. But maybe you need a little more than what the Forester offers. Here are some compelling alternatives.
Ford Bronco Sport
The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport, the smaller of Ford's two Bronco models, can handle the majority of off-roading thanks to 8.8 inches of ground clearance and additional Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl modes available on select versions. OK, it lacks an electrically removable sway bar or low-range creeper gear, but you'll appreciate the power from the upgraded 250-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. The standard engine is a 181-horsepower 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Bronco Sport is EPA-rated at 27 mpg with the 1.5-liter engine and 23 mpg with the 2.0-liter engine using regular fuel. Towing is rated at 2,200 pounds with the smaller engine but 2,700 pounds for the larger one. If you're an off-roader, you'll want the Sasquatch package, which adds a torque-vectoring rear differential, all-terrain tires, recovery hooks, additional skid plates, Bilstein rear dampers, and more ground clearance.
A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, as does the very roomy cabin, with 106 cubic feet of passenger space as well as 29 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 65 cubic feet with the seats stowed. The Bronco Sport is also ready for tailgating with a built-in bottle opener, 400-watt inverter, and an optional slide-out table.
Honda CR-V
Unlike the Ford Bronco Sport, the Honda CR-V's classic, clean design aesthetic is a bit of an anomaly in a class of contenders looking to nurture their off-road aura. Inside, it sports 104 cubic feet of passenger space and 39 cubic feet of storage space, although it expands to 77 cubic feet. Its instrument panel looks similar to that of the Honda Civic, and features a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on lower-end models, and a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on higher-end ones, along with wireless smartphone charging.
Although you can get a CR-V with a hybrid driveline, which we review elsewhere, the EX and EX-L CR-V trims come with a 190 horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable transmission with front-wheel or all-wheel drive. It's EPA rated at 30 mpg with front-wheel drive and 28 mpg with all-wheel drive using regular unleaded fuel. Towing is rated at a modest 1,500 pounds. On the road, you'll find the CR-V doesn't suffer from the indecisive power delivery characteristic of CVTs. It's modestly athletic, with a steering ratio that is perfect with modest body lean. Overall, it proves to be very entertaining to drive.
Jeep Compass
Looking much like the Jeep Grand Cherokee's younger brother, the 2025 Jeep Compass shares its underpinnings with the Alfa Romeo Tonale and Dodge Hornet. Its cabin is among the smaller ones here, offering 99 cubic feet of passenger volume and 27 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 60 cubic feet. The instrument panel is anchored by a standard 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upper trim levels get a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a wireless smartphone charging pad.
Power comes from a 200-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to standard all-wheel drive. Towing is rated at 2,000 pounds, and ground clearance sits at 8.1 inches. Opting for the off-road Trailhawk raises that to 8.6 inches and adds Active Drive Low 4x4, the "Rocks" driving mode, and a 20:1 crawl ratio. The Compass has the required power to move this midget with moxie. Its engine is a bit vibratory, but returns an EPA-rated 27 mpg in mixed city/highway driving on regular gasoline. There is some body lean in turns, but its steering is fast and perfectly-weighted, with moderate road noise.
Toyota RAV4
Very much the foul-weather friend, not the rugged boulder basher, the 2025 Toyota RAV4 is America's top-selling compact SUV, and with good reason. It looks rugged, its ride is very middle-of-the-road, and it's not sporty, but its well-balanced disposition makes it easy to love. A 203-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission provide power to the front wheels or, optionally, all four. The EPA rates this powertrain at 28 to 30 mpg, depending on drivetrain and trim level, on regular gasoline. The RAV4 also comes in a hybrid version, but we review that separately. Towing is rated at 1,500 pounds, and there's 8.4 inches of ground clearance.
With 99 cubic feet of passenger space, the RAV4 has less room than its rivals, yet it boasts a sizable 38 cubic-foot cargo hold that opens up to 70 cubic feet. An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard, while a 10.5-inch touchscreen is fitted to upscale trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and a 4G LTE mobile hotspot are standard. Toyota has made its reputation building modern, reliable, inoffensive transportation appliances, which has led the RAV4 to become America's most popular SUV.
Final thoughts
While the 2025 Subaru Forester boasts standard all-wheel drive, the most passenger space, and the best fuel economy among those in this group, the Toyota and Honda are welcome alternatives. The Toyota RAV4 boasts more power, while the Honda CR-V delivers a more fun driving experience. But if you do any sort of true off-roading, you'll want to check out the off-road versions of the Ford and Jeep, which bring extra off-road equipment to make things easier once the sidewalk ends.
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This story was originally published April 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM