Road-Tripping a 2025 Subaru Forester Sport to the 2024 Subiefest California

Unlike most car brands, Subaru lives to create vehicles that are just the right balance of luxury mixed with an adventurous lifestyle. The almost all-new 2025 Subaru Forester embodies that harmony better than any other SUV on the market. This came in handy for Elana Scherr, automotive journalist for Car and Driver, during her recent trek to Subiefest California—along with some various outdoor activities.  

A New Forester for a Special Trip 

Mrs. Scherr was able to review a brand-new Forester Sport painted in Sapphire Blue Pearl. She found herself starting in Los Angeles, moving up to San Jose where she grabbed her two siblings, and then driving to Moss Landing to go kayaking for the first time ever. She also did some shopping.  

The Perfect Fit 

“Somehow I kept making my oar into more of a spoon than a paddle, but the sea otters didn’t seem upset, and we managed not to touch any. We floated through a channel of roosting pelicans, a baby seal winked at us, and at the end of it all, we were able to change in the back of a Subaru Forester Sport and then dump all the wet clothes in the rubber-floored rear cargo area, which felt like exactly the right use of a Subaru Forester. A lot of car brands claim to represent a lifestyle, but most are interchangeable transportation equally useful in any situation.” 

Trims, Engine, and Towing 

The new Forester is available in five different trim levels that include Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring. All models are powered by a 2.5-liter Subaru Boxer four-cylinder that produces 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, combined with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This allows the Forester to get great fuel mileage without sacrificing usability and reliability. The 2025 model can also tow up to 3,000 pounds when properly equipped. Like all other Subaru models (besides the BRZ), the Forester comes standard with Subaru Symmetrical all-wheel drive, something most brands won’t do. Most other SUVs have AWD as an option.  

Easy Cleanup and Cargo Space 

Later in the drive, after Elana had bought some potted plants, the rubber cargo mat in the rear cargo area was a lifesaver when those very same plants fell over and spilled all their dirt into the back of the Forester. Luckily, no harm, no foul, since she was able to scoop everything back into the pots and then easily wash the cargo mat. And thanks to the size of the Forester, it was comfortable for Elana’s brother and sister, easily hauling their luggage thanks to its 29.6 cu-ft of cargo space behind the rear seats and 74.4 cu-ft of storage capacity with the seats folded.  

An SUV with Some Station Wagon Vibes 

Anyone who longs for the days of really good station wagons will love how the wagon-like qualities of the Forester merge with SUV qualities (like 8.7 inches of ground clearance). When you add in features like the 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 11-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Subaru SUV has all the amenities to make everyone comfortable and happy no matter where they’re sitting.  

A Do-Anything Vehicle 

“Loaded with my kin and our luggage, the Forester was a smooth ride that offered just enough handling finesse to be enjoyable on the twistier parts of our trip, but not so much grunt and stick that I was tempted to risk a queasy sister. My family liked the Forester quite a bit. I’ve always been more of a station-wagon person than a small-SUV fan, but I can’t deny that the Forester Sport did exactly what I needed for a sibling get-away with my slightly granola, non-auto-enthused, prone-to-car-sickness family. On the way up, alone, I listened to podcasts via wireless Apple CarPlay over the optional Harman Kardon 11-speaker system.” 

There’s Nothing Like a Subaru  

Upon landing in Santa Anita, California, for Subiefest, Scherr was completely taken with the varying levels of Subaru ownership. From off-roading to auto-crossing to overlanding, there is no limit to what a Subaru can do or what owners can do with their Subarus. After nearly 20 years of Subiefest, it never ceases to show that there’s no wrong way to own or modify your Subie.  

Why Subaru of Rochester 

At Subaru of Rochester, we are happy to offer our customers more than a hundred new and used vehicles. Our fantastic sales team and finance department will work hard to find the best car that fits your needs. And our dedicated service department will always ensure that your vehicle is taken care of in the best way possible.  

We look forward to serving you soon.