Shockingly, especially considering its ties to Toyota, until this year Subaru has only produced one hybrid model: the ill-fated plug-in-hybrid Crosstrek. That’s quickly changing though, as a few weeks ago Subaru debuted the 2025 Crosstrek Hybrid, and today at the Chicago Auto Show it unveiled the 2025 Forester Hybrid, which was first promised in 2023 when the latest generation debuted. With improved fuel economy and a much longer cruising range, it should be an easy choice for buyers.
Powering this long-awaited model is the same setup as the Crosstrek, with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter flat-4 that’s paired with two electric motors (one for power and one as a starter/generator), a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a continuously variable transmission that has six simulated gears. Subaru says combined output is 194 horsepower, with the engine making 162 hp and 154 lb-ft and the main electric motor putting out 118 hp and 199 lb-ft. The EPA estimates the Forester Hybrid at 35 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined; that’s about 40 percent more efficient in the city and 25 percent better overall than the normal Forester. Subaru also says the Forester Hybrid will have a 581-mile cruising range, 100 miles more than the standard model.
Going hybrid doesn’t mean the Forester loses its off-road chops. It still offers the same impressive 8.7 inches of ground clearance as the standard Forester, and of course it comes standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. It also retains the X-Mode with hill-descent control and Subaru’s SI-Drive throttle mapping adjustment, and the Hybrid gets a new EV drive mode.
On the outside, the new Forester Hybrid will be available with a hybrid-exclusive paint color called Daybreak Blue, and some trims will offer a contrasting black roof. The base Premium model has 18-inch alloy wheels, but Sport and Touring trim levels come standard with 19s. Naturally, all trims will have hybrid badging on the fenders and power tailgate to let everyone know that you’re doing your part to minimize your carbon footprint.
Inside, the Forester Hybrid comes standard with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and Subaru’s 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That standard touchscreen frustratingly contains the vehicle’s audio, climate, and other vehicle functions, and it’s still running Subaru’s outdated software. Most trim levels of the Hybrid will be available with animal-free interior surfaces, which should appeal to the conservationist types, but genuine cow hide is available on the top Touring trim. The Touring also adds heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a Harman/Kardon sound system, and a driver monitoring system.
Cargo volume will be slightly reduced when compared to the standard Forester, but not by much. With the rear seats up, hybrids lose about two cubic feet, down to 27.5, and with the seats folded down cargo volume is reduced by about five cubic feet to 69.1.
All Forester Hybrids come standard with the latest version of Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance tech, which includes automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Other, more comprehensive active-safety features are optional on the base Premium trim, including reverse automatic braking and a surround view camera.
The Forester Hybrid’s Premium trim starts at $36,415 including destination, only $2,885 more than the Premium trim of the non-hybrid Forester — while the normal Forester has a Base trim, the Hybrid doesn’t. Moving up to the Sport will cost you $39,415, while the Limited is $40,830 and the top Touring trim starts at $43,115, just $1,700 more than the gas-only Touring.
Despite improved efficiency over the standard model, the Forester Hybrid’s 35-mpg combined fuel economy estimates are slightly lower than its competitors. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD is EPA rated at 39 mpg combined, and the Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD and Hyundai Tucson Hybrid are both EPA rated at 37 mpg combined. Those competitors are missing one important thing, though: they don’t have Subaru’s panache. Expect to see the new 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid in Subaru showrooms and in REI parking lots this spring.
