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Volvo: Safety Beyond the Star RatingsSubaru Forester Goes Hybrid
The Subaru Forester is finally getting the hybrid treatment for 2025, netting both more power and greater efficiency.
Finally, Forester Hybrid Arrives
Rather than deal in automotive stereotypes and describe the average Forester owner as a deeply practical camping/dog enthusiast with 2.5 kids and both a regular commute and a hankering to hit the trails, allow me to confess personal ownership of a 2016 Forester and at least passing similarity to our imaginary average Subie fan. It is in such a capacity I can say, finally, and after far too long a wait, Subaru has gotten its act together and given us the hybrid-powered Forester fans have been clamoring for.
You’ll be forgiven if an improvement of six mpg combined for the family-friendly crossover isn’t on your shortlist for the most exciting automotive news of the year. But for fans of the Forester, this is a big deal indeed. While segment rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V have enjoyed the fuel economy benefits of hybridization, the Forester has been the odd crossover out. For 2025, Subaru rights this wrong and puts the Forester on equal footing.
New & Improved Powertrain
This spring, Subaru is adding a hybrid option to the Forester consisting of a 2.5L flat-four and two electric motors powered by a .7-kWh battery. The hybrid gives the Forester a slight boost in output, with horsepower at 194 (up from 180 horsepower).
Fuel economy for the hybrid is 35 city and 34 highway for a combined 35 mpg. This is a considerable improvement over the gas-only powertrain which gets 26 city and 33 highway for a combined 29. That’s an improvement of six mpg in combined fuel economy and a nine mpg jump in city driving. Subaru says the hybrid Forester will therefore boast a range of 581 miles of a full tank.
The hybrid Forester’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and 1,500 lbs. of towing capacity remain unchanged from the gas version. Five drive modes will be available starting with the familiar X-Mode, SI-Drive, Six-Speed Manual (for six simulated gears, rather than the prior eight), and an EV Mode.
Hybrid Forester Remains Spacious
The hybrid Forester will retain nearly the same level of spaciousness as the gas-powered version. Indeed, the Forester’s spaciousness, its tall greenhouse, allowing for excellent outward visibility, and capacious back seat and cargo area, is arguably its greatest asset when compared to similar crossovers.
The hybrid maintains the same cargo capacity as the regular Forester, barring the base model, at 27.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 69.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down (the base gas version is marginally larger at 29.6/74.4 cu.-ft.). The only significant compromise for the hybrid is the loss of a spare tire under the load floor, deleted to accommodate the hybrid’s battery pack.
The hybrid Forester gets all the interior feature updates the regular gas-powered version received for 2025. This includes the new 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 11.6-inch tablet-style infotainment touchscreen. Vegan/imitation leather is available for all trims below the Touring, which get genuine leather upholstery.
Pricing & Release
The hybrid version of the current 2025 Subaru Forester should be hitting dealership lots this spring. Subaru is doing their best to maintain parity with the hybrid RAV4 and hybrid CR-V, pricing the Forester hybrid at $34,995 for the Premium (skipping the base model). For comparison, the RAV4 and CR-V hybrids start around $36,000. The hybrid Sport trim will start at $37,995, the Limited at $39,410, and the top trim Touring at $41,695.
Wilderness Edition Coming for 2026 Forester
While the Forester’s hybrid is just over the horizon, we’ll still have to wait until closer to the end of the year for the arrival of the new sixth-gen version of the Wilderness Edition. In addition to generational updates, like the 11.6-inch infotainment screen, the new Forester Wilderness Edition will mostly retain what made it so compelling in its fifth-generation version. Ground clearance gains slightly, from 9.2 inches to 9.3, the robust roof rails can hold up to 800 lbs. (static, as in the case of an occupied roof tent), and of course there’s still lots of rugged body cladding and even skip plates to best contend with a weekend on the trails. From the look of it, the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness Edition will be worth waiting for.
For a full review of the 2025 Subaru Forester, click here.
