Hidden Features on the 2025 Forester
The 2025 Foresters are now arriving at Subaru of Plano, and there is plenty to talk about—so much so, in fact, that some features can get overlooked. Some are new to the 2025 Forester, and some are common but lesser known on other Subaru models as well.
Selectable Widgets
All 2025 Foresters except the base model feature the 11.6-inch SUBARU STARLINK® Multimedia display. On the top of the screen, just below the time and outside temperature readings, are three pieces of information Subaru calls widgets, much like the instant information or controls on smartphones. You can select the three you want from among the nine available widgets on the screen. To change the widgets, select “Settings” on the screen and choose the General category. Scroll down until you see and select “Favorite Widgets.” The setting screen will show your current widgets at the top with the nine choices below.
- Water temperature – A numerical reading
- Oil temperature – A numerical reading
- Acceleration % – Helps you monitor acceleration levels for efficient driving
- Incline degrees – Mostly for off-road use to gauge the steepness of your current terrain
- Average speed
- Compass
- Calendar
- Weather 3H – Expected weather in the next 3 hours. Requires active SiriusXM subscription
- Weather 6H – Same as above but giving expected weather for the next 6 hours.
Non-selected widgets are highlighted. To change a widget, click on the existing widget you wish to replace and then click on your desired widget.
Cruise Control Speed Setting Increments
If you have an older Subaru with adaptive cruise control, you may have discovered that you can adjust the set cruise control speed in two ways. Bumping the toggle up or down will change the set speed by five mph. Toggle and hold and the speed will adjust by one mph. The 2025 Forester gives you the same choices, but the actions are reversed, which is more intuitive. Bumping the set toggle will adjust by one mph, while toggle and hold will adjust in five mph increments.
Secret Pin Code
This is a great feature on several Subaru models, but few people know about it. After you have set up your PIN, you can enter your locked Subaru when your key fob is missing, damaged, has a dead battery, or was purposely left in the car. In the last scenario, consider a trip to a beach or lake shore. You can’t go swimming with your key fob, and you may not want to leave it behind where it could be stolen. The secret PIN code allows you to lock the fob in your car and still give you access.
There are multiple steps for setting up the secret PIN code that we won’t go into here. But you can find them in the Owner’s Manual and YouTube videos. A Subaru of Plano sales professional can also walk you through it. It works via a single button in the recess of the hatch to the right of the unlock open button. With this button, you will punch in your pre-programmed four-digit PIN with sequenced presses—press once for 1, two quick presses for 2, and so on up to 9. The car will issue a soft beep after acknowledging each number of the PIN until it unlocks with the usual unlock-click sound.
Roof Step Panel
On each side, just to the outside of the rear seat, is a raised step to give you a solid place to place your foot for accessing cargo or items mounted on the roof rails.
Black Headliner
The 2025 Forester headliner is black, as opposed to the light gray on the current model. This isn’t to look sporty but rather to mask scuff marks that can occur when loading mountain bikes or any kind of bulky cargo.
Easter Eggs
While not for functional use, they are fun to notice. Each detail is meant to reinforce the outdoor activities of many Subaru Forester owners. You will find small black silhouettes of birds in flight in the corner of several windows, including the windshield, sunroof, and each rear quarter window. The rest of these easter eggs are embossed on the inner panels. They include:
- Mountain Ridge on the lower panel just inside the hatch opening
- Telescope on the right rear wheel well of the cargo area
- Camp lantern on the left rear wheel well of the cargo area
- Compass on the inner panel of the hatch
- Hiking boot prints on the front door panels
- Dog prints on the rear door panels
- Subaru stars on the roof step panels
These are just some of the features that show how much Subaru knows and pays attention to its owners. Subaru goes out of its way to provide small but useful features that increase the utility of the model in many small ways. As mentioned, as of this writing, the new 2025 Foresters are just arriving in Subaru of Plano’s vast inventory. See for yourself how well thought out this compact crossover is.
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