The Subaru Forester Sport represents a significant evolution in the compact SUV segment, offering a blend of rugged capability and refined interior amenities. As part of the sixth Forester generation, the Sport trim distinguishes itself with unique interior styling elements and technology features designed to appeal to active lifestyles while maintaining everyday comfort and practicality.
2025 Subaru Forester Sport Interior
Sport-Specific Interior Design
The Forester Sport cabin immediately sets itself apart with distinctive design elements. The interior features a unique colour scheme with contrasting orange stitching that runs along the dashboard, door panels, steering wheel, and seats. This vibrant accent colour creates a sporty atmosphere that complements the exterior styling cues. The Sport trim includes water-resistant StarTex upholstery material instead of standard cloth, providing increased durability for those who frequently engage in outdoor activities.
The dashboard and center console have exclusive gunmetal and orange accents rather than the traditional chrome found in other trims. Sport-specific gauges with orange illumination enhance the driving experience, while a leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated paddle shifters provides better grip and manual control of the Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).
Comfort and Space
Despite its adventure-ready character, the Forester Sport doesn’t compromise on comfort. The front seats feature enhanced bolstering with additional cushioning designed to reduce fatigue during long drives. The driver’s seat includes 10-way power adjustment with 2-position memory and power lumbar support, while the front passenger enjoys 8-way power adjustability.
The cabin dimensions remain generous with approximately 1,448 mm of shoulder room in the front and 1,422 mm in the rear. Second-row passengers benefit from 1,000 mm of legroom, allowing four adult passengers to travel comfortably. The Forester Sport total passenger volume of 3,091 litres creates an airy, spacious feeling enhanced by large windows and an available panoramic moonroof that spans 1,067 mm in length.
Dual-zone automatic climate control comes standard in the Sport trim, allowing the driver and front passenger to set different temperature preferences. Heated front seats with three temperature settings ensure comfort during colder weather, while the available heated steering wheel adds another layer of winter comfort.
Technology and Connectivity
The Forester Sport showcases the latest Subaru technology offerings. Dominating the center dash is an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system that handles most vehicle functions. This high-resolution display features customizable tiles for frequently used functions and responds quickly to inputs with minimal lag.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration come standard, allowing seamless smartphone connectivity without the hassle of cables. The Forester Sport includes multiple USB-C ports throughout the cabin—two in the front console and two for rear passengers—ensuring everyone can keep their devices charged.
The Sport trim features a premium Harman Kardon audio system with 10 speakers and a 576-watt equivalent amplifier, delivering rich sound throughout the cabin. A wireless charging pad integrated into the center console provides convenient power for compatible devices, eliminating cable clutter.
The driver information display features a 7-inch full-colour LCD screen that provides customizable information, including navigation directions, driver assistance status, and vehicle dynamics monitoring specific to the Sport model. This system includes the X-MODE display that shows real-time power distribution to all four wheels when navigating challenging terrain.
Cargo Versatility
The Forester Sport excels in cargo management with 762 litres of space behind the rear seats—expanding to 2,107 litres with the 60/40-split rear seats folded flat. The cargo area features a low load height of 820 mm, making it easier to load heavy or bulky items.
Sport-specific cargo features include standard roof rails with integrated tie-down points and orange accents that can support up to 80 kg of dynamic load (when the vehicle is in motion) and 318 kg of static load (when parked). Inside, the cargo area includes multiple tie-down hooks, underfloor storage compartments, and a 12-volt power outlet.
The Sport trim includes a power liftgate with height memory function, allowing owners to set a maximum opening height to avoid contact with low garage ceilings. A cargo cover comes standard, providing privacy and protection from sun exposure for items in the rear compartment.
Enhanced Safety Technology
The Forester Sport comes equipped with the latest Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. This comprehensive safety suite includes adaptive cruise control with lane centering, pre-collision braking, lane departure and sway warning, and the new emergency stop assist system that can bring the vehicle to a safe stop if the driver becomes unresponsive.
Sport-specific safety features include blind-spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert systems. The Surround View Monitor provides a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the vehicle, particularly useful when navigating tight parking spaces or positioning the vehicle precisely on narrow trails.
The Driver Monitoring System uses infrared sensors and facial recognition technology to identify signs of driver fatigue or distraction. This system can recognize up to five different drivers and automatically adjust seat position, climate settings, and mirror positions based on the identified driver.
Top 5 Best Features
- Water-Resistant StarTex Upholstery – Sport-exclusive seating material that repels moisture and dirt while remaining comfortable for daily driving and adventure activities.
- 11.6-inch Vertical Touchscreen – High-resolution infotainment system with intuitive controls, wireless smartphone integration, and customizable display settings.
- X-MODE with Dual Function – Enhanced off-road capability with dedicated Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings, displayed through the Sport’s exclusive driver information interface.
- Orange-Accented Sport Interior – Distinctive design elements, including contrast stitching, gunmetal trim, and Sport-specific gauges that create a unique cabin atmosphere.
- Harman Kardon Premium Audio – 10-speaker sound system with 576-watt equivalent amplifier, delivering exceptional audio quality throughout the cabin.
5 Facts About the 2025 Subaru Forester Sport Interior
- The orange accent colour used throughout the Forester Sport interior was inspired by the high-visibility gear used in wilderness rescue operations, symbolizing both adventure and safety.
- The Sport’s StarTex upholstery material is not only water-resistant but also manufactured using 25% recycled materials, reflecting the Subaru commitment to environmental sustainability.
- The Forester Sport cabin was tested in extreme temperature chambers ranging from -40 to +45 degrees Celsius to ensure all interior materials maintain their integrity and appearance across diverse climate conditions.
- Engineers used bio-acoustic modeling to design the Sport’s interior, strategically placing sound absorption materials to create frequency-specific noise reduction without adding significant weight.
- The panoramic moonroof glass on the Forester Sport features a special UV and infrared filtering layer that blocks 99% of harmful rays while still providing an open-air experience.
Questions and Answers About the 2025 Subaru Forester Sport Interior
What distinguishes the Forester Sport interior from other Forester trims?
- The trim features distinctive orange contrast stitching throughout the cabin, gunmetal and orange accents instead of chrome, Sport-specific gauges with orange illumination, water-resistant StarTex upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters.
What infotainment system does the Forester Sport offer?
- It comes with an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, customizable tile arrangement, and controls for vehicle settings and climate functions.
How much cargo space does the Forester Sport provide?
- It offers 762 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,107 litres with the 60/40-split rear seats folded flat. It also features a low load height of 820 mm for easier access.
What safety technologies are specific to the Forester Sport?
- This trim includes Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, blind-spot detection with lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, Surround View Monitor providing a 360-degree view, and the Driver Monitoring System that detects fatigue or distraction.
Does the Forester Sport have heated seats?
- Yes, this trim comes standard with heated front seats featuring three temperature settings. It also offers a heated steering wheel for additional cold-weather comfort.
What type of audio system is included in the Forester Sport?
- It features a premium Harman Kardon audio system with 10 speakers and a 576-watt equivalent amplifier that delivers high-quality sound throughout the cabin.
Does the Forester Sport offer wireless charging?
- Yes, this trim includes a wireless charging pad integrated into the center console for compatible devices, along with multiple USB-C ports located in both the front and rear of the cabin.
What is StarTex upholstery, and why is it used in the Forester Sport?
- StarTex is a water-resistant, durable upholstery material exclusive to the Sport trim. It withstands moisture, dirt, and wear from outdoor activities while remaining comfortable for everyday driving. It’s also manufactured using 25% recycled materials.
What driver information displays are available in the Forester Sport?
- This trim features a 7-inch full-colour LCD driver information display that provides customizable information, including navigation directions, driver assistance status, and vehicle dynamics monitoring with Sport-specific X-MODE display showing real-time power distribution.
How does the Forester Sport interior accommodate different drivers?
- The Driver Monitoring System can recognize up to five different drivers and automatically adjust the 10-way power driver’s seat with 2-position memory, climate settings, and mirror positions based on facial recognition of the identified driver.