- Subaru told us that there are “very few remaining examples” of the 2024 Forester at dealerships nationwide.
- Buyers are drawn to the older model despite the significant upgrades introduced in the sixth-gen model.
- The higher prices and polarizing design of the new generation may have boosted the popularity of its predecessor.
The 2025 Subaru Forester may have hit US dealerships this spring, but its predecessor is stealing the show. The 2024 model is shockingly sold out across most dealerships halfway through the year. This unexpected surge in demand is a peculiar twist, especially considering its newer sibling is already on the market.
Buyers are usually drawn to freshly redesigned vehicles with new and improved features. This is why companies often offer generous incentives for the remaining older models in dealer inventories. Strangely, this wasn’t the case with the 2024 Subaru Forester. Despite the arrival of its redesigned 2025 counterpart, demand for the outgoing model has been unexpectedly robust.
More: Subaru WRX Sales Tank By 39.5% As Forester Sells Like Hot Cakes
As reported by Cars Direct, out of the 9,400 Subaru Forester listings in the U.S., only 950 are for the 2024 model year. In other words, the 2025 model year accounts for 90 percent of the available Foresters at Subaru dealerships.
We reached out to Subaru for a comment on their inventory, and they confirmed there are “very few remaining examples” of the 2024 Forester at dealers nationwide.
According to official data, Forester sales skyrocketed by 51.4 percent in the first half of 2024, with 92,849 units sold compared to 61,310 units in the same period last year. The 2024 model year played a huge role in this surge, moving 48,546 units in the first quarter alone, just before the 2025 model year hit the scene.
2025 Subaru Forester
So, what makes an SUV that has remained largely unchanged since the 2022 facelift so attractive? One could argue that the polarizing exterior design of the new generation is steering buyers towards its predecessor, despite the chassis and technology improvements.
It’s also safe to assume that pricing plays a significant role in why people continue to buy the older model. Starting at $29,695, the entry-level 2025 Forester is $2,600 more expensive than the model it replaces. Similarly, price hikes range from $1,700 to $2,630 across the rest of the lineup, except for the Wilderness trim, which is carried over from last year.
More: 2025 Subaru Forester Gets Big Price Hikes Across The Board, Starts At $29,695
Subaru currently offers 4.9 percent APR financing for 36 months on the 2025 model year. In contrast, the 2024 model year gets a more attractive 2.9 percent APR for 72 months. Leasing deals are also similar: $329 per month with a $3,229 downpayment for the 2025 model year, versus $309 per month with a $3,134 downpayment for the 2024 model year (both offers are for a 36-month lease).
The bottomline is that if you are in the market for a 2024 Subaru Forester you should probably hurry up and grab one while you can.
