2025 Subaru Forester Safety Rating
Small SUVs Β· Historical model-year record Β· IIHS source checked 2026-07-28
This is the 2025 record, kept for reference. The current listing is the 2026 Subaru Forester at 94.3/100. The 2025 results below are the exact ratings IIHS published for this model year (score 90.2/100 under the same formula).
Which build and equipment does this score describe?
Latest applicable build; standard AEB and lowest current-trim headlight rating. Headlights use the lowest rating among applicable current trims; this is a conservative equipment baseline, not a claim that every trim has identical results. Confirm the production date and equipment of the car you are buying.
IIHS award restriction: Award applies only to vehicles other than the Wilderness trim
Headlights: baseline Good
- Good β (1) Trim level(s): Wilderness trim
- Good β (2) Trim level(s): Base trim, Premium trim, Sport trim, Limited trim, Touring trim
Pedestrian crash prevention: baseline Good
- Good β standard EyeSight; of the following trim lines: Wilderness trim. Rating applies to 2024-25 models
- Good β standard EyeSight; of the following trim lines: Base trim, Premium trim, Sport trim, Limited trim, Touring trim. Rating applies to 2025-26 models
Vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention 2.0: baseline Good
- Good β standard EyeSight; of the following trim lines: Wilderness trim. Rating applies to 2023-25 models
- Good β standard EyeSight; of the following trim lines: Base trim, Premium trim, Sport trim, Limited trim, Touring trim. Rating applies to 2025 models
Optional-system results are shown separately. Combining the best rating from different packages does not establish that one purchasable configuration earns them all. Check IIHS equipment details.
IIHS crash-test results
Detailed results by test (56 entries)
IIHS publishes these under the test they belong to, so the same label can appear more than once. Rear restraints and kinematics, rear head protection, structure and safety cage, and front restraints are the four that count toward the score (25%).
Small overlap front
Rating applies to 2025-26 models
Small overlap front
Rating applies to 2025-26 models
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Rating applies to 2025 models
Side: updated test
Rating applies to 2025-26 models
Whiplash prevention
Rating applies to 2025-26 models
Headlights
Β· (1) Trim level(s): Wilderness trim
Headlights
Β· (2) Trim level(s): Base trim, Premium trim, Sport trim, Limited trim, Touring trim
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0
Rating applies to 2023-25 models Β· standard EyeSight; of the following trim lines: Wilderness trim
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0
Rating applies to 2025 models Β· standard EyeSight; of the following trim lines: Base trim, Premium trim, Sport trim, Limited trim, Touring trim
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Rating applies to 2024-25 models Β· standard EyeSight; of the following trim lines: Wilderness trim
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Rating applies to 2025-26 models Β· standard EyeSight; of the following trim lines: Base trim, Premium trim, Sport trim, Limited trim, Touring trim
Seat belt reminders
Rating applies to 2025-26 models
Child seat anchors
Rating applies to 2025-26 models
Opens on iihs.org in a new tab
How the score is built
See our full scoring methodology and rules β
NHTSA 5-star rating
2025 SUBARU FORESTER SUV AWD
NHTSA stars are shown for reference and carry no weight in the score. NHTSA source. Why the two programs disagree β
IIHS crash-test videos
These videos are embedded on IIHSβs ratings page for this model. The tested vehicle may be an earlier model year or a related version whose results IIHS applies to this vehicle. Check the test description and source for the exact coverage.
Load a player to watch on this page, or use the YouTube link. Video footage helps explain the test; the published injury measurements and ratings are the basis for comparison.
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Tested vehicle: 2025 Subaru Forester 4-door 4wd
Rating applies to 2025 models
Real-world context
| Measure | Result | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Class driver death rate | 42 per million registered vehicle-years | Small SUVs as a class, adjusted for driver age and sex (Farmer, 2023); all vehicles average 38. Class context only. |
| Subaru Forester (2019-20) driver death rate | 30 (95% CI 13β48) | Earlier model years of this nameplate; class average for that study 42.6. Reflects who bought and drove those cars as well as the car. |
Other model years of the Subaru Forester
| Model year | Status | IIHS award | Primary tests reported | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Subaru Forester | Current listing | TSP+ | 4/4 | 94.3 |
Each model year keeps its own record. Ratings from one year are never copied to another unless IIHS states the test applies.
Our analysis
The 2025 Subaru Forester belongs to the Small SUVs class. This class has a driver death rate near the national average of 38 deaths per million registered vehicle-years. The class figure is adjusted for driver age and sex, which removes a large part of the selection effect in raw death rates. It is still a class average, not a measurement of this model.
The Subaru Forester earned Top Safety Pick+ in the 2025 award cycle. That award requires Good results in the updated tests plus qualifying headlights and pedestrian front crash prevention on the relevant trims; the linked IIHS report shows the exact trims.
Across the 6 IIHS rating categories reported, the Subaru Forester earned 5 Good ratings. One result sits below Good; the verdict at the top of the page names it.
This analysis is produced independently; we have no affiliation with Subaru or any manufacturer. Read the full methodology or learn more about us.
International crash-test results
Euro NCAP and ANCAP results are provided for reference. Because market versions can differ in structure and equipment, they are not factored into the US score.
Safety recalls for the 2025 Subaru Forester
We do not have a verified NHTSA recall lookup for this model and year. An unmatched or unavailable lookup is not evidence of a clean recall record.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-10-21. A recall applies to a range of build dates, not necessarily every car of this model year, so confirm against your own VIN. Recalls do not affect the safety score on this page.
Questions about the 2025 Subaru Forester
Is the 2025 Subaru Forester a safe car?
IIHS has published 4 of the 4 primary tests and 4 of the 4 occupant-protection details for the 2025 Subaru Forester. Available results are shown below. Only current models with all required results enter the ranking.
What is the 2025 Subaru Forester IIHS rating?
IIHS reports: small overlap front = Good; moderate overlap front: updated test = Acceptable; side: updated test = Good; headlights = Good; seat belt reminders = Good; latch ease of use = Good.
Is the 2025 Subaru Forester an IIHS Top Safety Pick?
Yes. The 2025 Subaru Forester is a IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for the 2025 award cycle.
What is the 2025 Subaru Forester NHTSA rating?
NHTSA gives the 2025 SUBARU FORESTER SUV AWD an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 5, side 5, rollover 4). NHTSA stars are shown for reference and are not part of our score.
How does the 2025 Subaru Forester compare with other small SUVs?
The class leader is the 2026 Subaru Forester at 94.3/100. The comparison table on this page lists the closest-scoring current small SUVs with complete records.
Continue comparing
Shopping for a family? Compare three-row vehicles and rear-seat evidence. Buying used? See real driver death rates by model.