The 2025 Subaru Forester is an appropriately sized vehicle for conquering snow.

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      It's fair to say that Subaru often comes to mind when discussing vehicles suited for cold climates. The combination of reliable all-wheel drive and reasonable ground clearance makes it a great choice for ski season. This winter, I had the opportunity to drive the 2025 Subaru Forester in some particularly cold weather while using all-season tires, providing me with a firsthand experience of how the car performs in significant snow.

      While my colleagues have reviewed both the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid and gas model, neither had quite the quintessential Subaru experience I had. During my few days with the Forester in Denver, I drove it up I-70 for skiing at Subaru’s Winterfest, took my sister’s dog to the park, filled the trunk with second-hand finds, and chauffeured a group of girls to roller derby.

      Andrew P. Collins

      It handled all these activities quite well. Before delving into its snow performance, let’s highlight some strengths and weaknesses I observed during my time with the vehicle.

      Strengths and Weaknesses

      I'm quite impressed with the quality of Subaru's interior components at this price level. The plastics feel sturdy, the seats are comfortably cushioned, and Subaru effectively utilizes textures and soft materials to add visual appeal to flat surfaces. I appreciate that the gauge cluster employs physical dials rather than a screen like many newer cars.

      Subarus feature some of my favorite interiors in the sub-$50,000 range. I enjoy the mixture of analog gauges and a vertically oriented central display. Andrew P. Collins

      The cabin space is generally well-designed. The Forester's relatively high roof and ample rear-seat space give the interior a spacious and airy feel. The cargo area behind the second row is equally impressive; it easily accommodates camping gear for a family of four.

      The infotainment system is generally satisfactory, albeit with some drawbacks. I appreciate the portrait orientation of the main screen but find it frustrating that climate controls are integrated into it, requiring screen interactions to adjust temperature settings. Subaru also employs some unusual font sizes in its menus, making certain information look awkward.

      However, the most significant downside of this vehicle is its lack of speed.

      I’m not an expert skier anymore. We made a breakfast stop in Idaho Springs en route to Subaru WinterFest at Copper Mountain. Andrew P. Collins

      While I wasn't expecting high-performance characteristics, the non-hybrid Forester Sport I drove felt sluggish in reaching the speed limit, resembling an elderly person struggling to get off the couch. The continuously variable automatic transmission theoretically optimizes gear ratios for the required acceleration, but it sounds unpleasant and lacks a genuine sensation of speed at any point.

      I wouldn't categorize it as dangerously slow, as I felt about the first-generation Crosstrek, but the Forester could definitely be perceived as annoyingly sluggish by some drivers.

      Slow acceleration isn’t a significant downside in snowy conditions. In fact, the rather subdued throttle response can aid in gaining traction on slippery surfaces, unlike what you might find in a turbocharged WRX.

      Now let’s address the main point of discussion: how the Forester performs in snow on all-season tires.

      Andrew P. Collins

      Regardless of the vehicle, winter tires will always provide the best performance in low temperatures. High-quality winter tires use a blend of materials that remain softer in cold weather, along with treads deep enough to manage snow and maintain traction as the accumulation increases. Since this Subaru was equipped with all-season tires, I had to put in a bit more effort during our drive in the blizzard.

      As an important note, the Forester's owner’s manual states it cannot accommodate tire chains. So if you plan to drive it in areas that experience significant seasonal snowfall, it’s advisable to invest in a dedicated set of winter wheels and tires. That said, even in heavy snowfall on all-seasons, I only felt the car lose traction in extreme instances when I deliberately accelerated to induce a skid.

      It wasn't eager to perform parking lot spins, but if you engaged the CVT in a simulated low gear (which you can do with paddle shifters) and applied excessive throttle during a turn, you could create a slightly entertaining yaw for a few moments before the vehicle's computer intervened.

      Andrew P. Collins

      At speeds of 18 mph and below, the Forester's X-Mode can be activated, which optimizes the vehicle for low-speed, low-traction scenarios. It holds the transmission in a lower gear, dulls throttle response, evenly distributes power between front and rear axles, and actively manages wheel spin using the brakes.

      Driving through suburban Denver’s pre-plowed streets at around 15 mph with X-Mode engaged, I experienced very little slipping, even on tires that lacked deep treads. I drove cautiously, appropriate for the conditions, and the vehicle felt competent and stable in a couple of inches of fresh powder during the early morning hours. Gentle steering and throttle inputs are essential in such situations.