The 2025 Subaru Forester Limited, finished in Autumn Green Metallic, pulled into the parking lot of a Dry Creek Valley tasting room on a Friday afternoon. Early June in Northern California’s wine country arrives with warm afternoons and lingering daylight stretching late into the evening. For the last week. this compact SUV became my partner for exploring the roads most wine tourists never discover.
Narrow mountain passes leading to small-production wineries, then deeper into Mendocino and Sierra National Forests where old logging roads climb toward views worth the dust and effort. Each drive confirmed what drivers who explore beyond interstate highways already know: the Forester remains the practical choice for those who refuse to choose between pavement and wilderness.
Northern California wine country extends far beyond the crowded tasting rooms of Napa Valley. The real discoveries happen on back roads like the Bohemian Highway, where 10 miles of pavement wind through redwoods, past organic farms, and into villages that time forgot.
Spring Mountain Road climbs through forested hills above St. Helena, revealing boutique wineries tucked into slopes far from the tourist traffic on Highway 29.
Highway 128 curls through the eastern reaches of Napa Valley with sweeping lake views and rustic wineries that require advance reservations and reward those who make the effort.
The Forester Limited proved itself on these roads repeatedly.
The 10 percent stiffer chassis for 2025 keeps the body composed through tight corners while the dual-pinion electric power-assisted steering responds accurately to inputs.
Visibility from the driver’s seat is exceptional, with large windows and thin pillars providing clear sightlines around blind curves. The elevated seating position offers a commanding view of the road ahead, useful when navigating single-lane sections where oncoming traffic appears suddenly.
Beyond the wineries, Mendocino National Forest covers nearly one million acres without a single paved highway crossing through it.
Forest service roads lead to campgrounds with primitive sites, offering solitude that developed campgrounds cannot provide. The Sierra Nevada mountain range holds over 17,000 miles of dispersed camping opportunities across forests from Plumas to Inyo.
These roads demand more from a vehicle than suburban commuting, and the Forester delivers.
Engine and Performance
Under the hood sits a 2.5-liter DOHC horizontally opposed BOXER engine producing 180 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 178 lb-ft of torque at 3,700 rpm.
Power routes through a Lineartronic CVT with 8-speed manual shift mode and steering wheel paddle shifters.
The engine works hardest on sustained climbs through wine country’s steep grades. Spring Mountain Road gains over 1,500 feet in elevation, and the CVT holds revs appropriately during the ascent.
The paddle shifters allow manual control when descending, useful for engine braking on long grades that would otherwise heat up the brake rotors.
SI-Drive offers selectable modes: Intelligent maximizes fuel economy during highway cruising, while Sport mode sharpens throttle response for winding mountain roads.
Acceleration is adequate rather than quick. This is not a vehicle for aggressive driving on public roads. It is a vehicle for arriving at destinations relaxed and without incident. The powertrain delivers smooth, predictable responses that match the Forester’s purpose.
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive remains standard. Every component connects through a mechanical system that distributes power to all four wheels continuously.
This differs from competitors that use electronically controlled rear axles and front-biased torque distribution.
On loose gravel forest roads leading to dispersed camping sites, the Forester maintains traction, feeling steady and confident.
Dual-function X-MODE with Hill Descent Control enhances capability on challenging terrain.
Active Torque Vectoring applies braking force to inside wheels during cornering, helping the vehicle track through curves more precisely.
Trailer Stability Assist monitors and corrects trailer sway for those towing small utility trailers to remote campsites.
Fuel Economy and Range
EPA estimates land at 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined.
The 16.6-gallon fuel tank provides over 480 miles of highway range.
For a weekend trip from Sacramento through Sonoma wine country, into Mendocino National Forest for dispersed camping, and back home, the Forester completed the entire journey without refueling.
This range matters when the nearest gas station may be 50 miles away down unpaved roads. Auto Start-Stop conserves fuel during the inevitable stops at roads undergoing construction and scenic overlooks.
Interior and Technology
Subaru engineers added three times more structural adhesive compared to the previous generation and installed a sound insulation windshield. The result is a quieter interior, making conversation easy during long drives through remote areas.
The Limited trim includes perforated leather-trimmed upholstery with blue stitching, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, and chrome interior door handles.
The 10-way power driver’s seat and 8-way power passenger seat allow precise positioning for long drives through mountain roads.
After a full day of winery visits, forest exploration, and climbing around rocks, the supportive seats prevented the fatigue that lesser vehicles induce.
A panoramic power moonroof spans most of the roof, filling the cabin with natural light during daytime drives through redwood forests.
At remote campsites, it can easily frame the night sky without blocking the fresh air and sounds of the forest.
The 11.6-inch Subaru Starlink Multimedia Navigation system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto handles entertainment and directions.
The built-in navigation with offline mapping capability proves essential when exploring areas where cell coverage disappears miles before the road ends. Many parts of the National Forests and the Sierra backcountry have limited connectivity, and downloaded maps kept the route visible when phone signals faded.
The Harman Kardon premium audio system with 576-watt equivalent amplifier and 11 speakers fills the cabin with clear sound during the drive home.
After a quiet night in the forest, music from a decent sound system marks the transition back to civilization.
Dual-zone automatic climate control maintains comfort regardless of outside temperatures.
USB-A and USB-C ports in both the front and rear center consoles keep devices charged, with a wireless charger eliminating cables for compatible phones.
Cargo capacity measures 27.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expands to 69.1 cubic feet with the 60/40 split rear seatbacks folded.
For car camping with the Forester, this accommodates a basic sleeping setup and provisions for a weekend away from developed facilities.
The power rear gate with automatic close, height memory, and hands-free foot activation sensor becomes genuinely useful when arms are full of camping gear. The retractable cargo area cover hides valuables when the vehicle is parked at trailheads or parking lots.
Release levers in the cargo area fold the rear seatbacks without walking to the rear doors. One-touch folding and reclining rear seatbacks speed up transitions between passenger and cargo configurations.
A rear seat fold-down armrest with dual cup holders keeps passengers comfortable during long drives.
Standard roof rails accept crossbars for additional cargo capacity. For extended trips, a roof box carries overflow gear while keeping the interior accessible.
Safety Features
EyeSight Driver Assist Technology comes standard, featuring Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering.
On Highway 128’s 27 miles of curves through the eastern Napa Valley, Lane Centering reduced fatigue during the less demanding sections.
The system tracks lane markings accurately and makes smooth corrections without feeling intrusive.
Additional driver assistance includes Automatic Emergency Steering, Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Departure Warning, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
Pre-Collision Braking and the optional Reverse Automatic Braking add protection in congested parking areas. The wide-angle Rear Vision Camera helps navigate tight spots where parking comfortably is not on the table.
LED headlights with High Beam Assist and Steering Responsive capability illuminate dark forest roads effectively, adjusting beam direction through curves.
This matters on roads like Sherwood Road, a 43-mile trek through dirt logging roads with spectacular redwood views.
Even in mid-June, the forest canopy creates dark passages where proper lighting matters.
Welcome Lighting illuminates the approach to the vehicle at dark campsites.
Emergency Stop Assist is new for 2025 and standard across all trims.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System displays individual wheel pressures with automatic ID registration, useful when transitioning between paved highways and rough forest roads where tire pressure adjustments improve ride quality.
Driving Impressions Over a Week
The Forester Limited delivers a composed, comfortable ride that handles both paved mountain roads and unpaved forest tracks. The suspension absorbs imperfections without harsh impacts while maintaining composure through corners with controlled body roll.
On washboard sections of forest service roads, the Forester tracked straight and stable.
Steering feel is light and direct, appropriate for the vehicle’s mission. Visibility from the driver’s seat remains excellent, with an upright greenhouse that provides clear sightlines in all directions.
The dark tint privacy glass reduces glare during afternoon drives through sun-dappled forest roads.
Braking feels consistent and predictable. The 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Brake Assist, and Brake Override provide confidence on steep descents where speed control matters.
The Forester is not a sports car. It does not encourage aggressive driving or reward pushing limits. It encourages exploring roads that more powerful vehicles would make dangerous and less capable vehicles cannot access at all.
The modest power output and composed handling create a vehicle that invites exploration rather than competition.
During one trip in early June, the Forester handled a route from Sacramento through Healdsburg for a tasting at small-production Dry Creek Valley wineries. The late afternoon sun stretched across the vineyards, and an outdoor patio tasting during the summer evening, with the Forester in view, was exactly how I wanted to wind down the day.
By evening, the vehicle was heading back home through an unpaved route, climbing through oak woodlands into mixed conifer forest with views through the valleys beyond, still green from spring rains.
At higher elevations in early June, temperatures dropped to the 50s after sunset, comfortable for driving with the windows down. X-MODE managed traction on loose surfaces, and ground clearance avoided damage from embedded rocks.
The panoramic moonroof framed the night sky, stars visible without light pollution. A clear June night in the high Sierra, temperatures dropping, but the cabin comfortable with dual-zone climate control set to maintain 68 degrees.
The Forester arrived dusty from the forest, basking in its accomplishments from the drive.
The 2025 Forester Limited starts at $35,995.
The tested vehicle included the option package with 11.6-inch multimedia navigation system, Harman Kardon audio, and Reverse Automatic Braking for $1,600. With $1,395 destination and delivery, the total came to $38,990.
Specifications
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5L DOHC 4-cyl. BOXER |
| Horsepower | 180 @ 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 3,700 rpm |
| Transmission | Lineartronic CVT with 8-speed manual mode |
| Drive | Symmetrical AWD |
| Fuel Economy | 26 city / 33 hwy / 29 combined mpg |
| Fuel Tank | 16.6 gallons |
| Range | 480+ miles highway |
| Cargo Volume | 27.5 cu ft (seats up) / 69.1 cu ft (seats down) |
| Ground Clearance | 8.7 inches |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 inches |
| Length | 183.3 inches |
| Curb Weight | 3,613 lbs |
| Base Price | $35,995 |
| As Tested | $38,990 |
The 2025 Subaru Forester Limited does not chase horsepower numbers or aggressive styling. It provides the capability to reach places that more powerful vehicles would make dangerous and less capable vehicles cannot access at all.
For drivers who spend weekends exploring Northern California’s back roads, visiting small wineries far from tourist traffic, and camping in national forests where the nearest services are hours away, the Forester handles every aspect of the journey. It navigates paved switchbacks confidently, crosses unpaved forest roads without hesitation, and returns home with range to spare.
After weeks of exploring wine country and forest land with this Forester in early June, returning to those roads requires only loading gear, checking the map, and driving. The vehicle handles everything else. That quiet competence, delivered consistently across varied terrain and conditions, defines what makes the Forester Limited worth considering for anyone whose weekends extend beyond paved roads and populated areas.
Article Last Updated: November 24, 2025.
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Michael Kahn is the publisher of The Weekly Driver, serving as writer, photographer, and content creator. With a keen eye for storytelling and a passion for adventure, he specializes in uncovering the stories and experiences of automobile enthusiasts. Michael’s work is inspired by his love for off-the-beaten-path road trips, global exploration, and the pursuit of exceptional culinary experiences, all captured through the lens of a world traveler and automotive enthusiast.