The 2025 Subaru Forester arrives with a more powerful engine and a return to Japanese import origins, a significant draw for enthusiasts. However, a substantial price increase of 200 million VND compared to the previous Thai-imported version presents a major barrier to wider market adoption.

The most significant changes for the Japanese model are a new 2.5-liter boxer engine, replacing the previous 2.0-liter unit. Following the closure of the Thai factory, the Forester is now imported directly from Japan. This upgrade provides a more powerful engine, resulting in improved throttle response, more agile performance, and enhanced traction on challenging terrains.

In terms of design, the Subaru Forester features new aesthetics with softer, more fluid lines than before. Its interior retains a class-leading advantage in spaciousness, airiness, legroom, and headroom, ensuring comfort for all occupants.

Despite its strengths, areas for improvement for the Forester still lie in minor details that do not fully meet the preferences of Asian customers. Examples include an outdated screen interface and an overall design primarily aimed at middle-aged individuals, which may not appeal to a broader demographic.

Ultimately, the price of 1.3-1.4 billion VND, an increase of 200 million VND compared to the Thai-imported version, presents a hurdle for the Forester to achieve a sales breakthrough. While this price point might deter some, its Japanese import origin and more powerful engine are significant draws for Subaru fans, who often do not prioritize financial concerns for a C-segment vehicle.

Duc Huy