Subaru of America has unveiled the newest model in its expanding hybrid lineup, and it’s been confirmed for an Australian launch in mid-2025.
Revealed at the 2025 Chicago Auto Show, the Subaru Forester Hybrid follows the recently unveiled Crosstrek Hybrid in showcasing the latest in Subaru’s hybrid technology – leveraging Toyota’s hybrid expertise to create a model with both more grunt and improved efficiency.
Under the skin remain the same bones as the regular Forester, as Subaru says its new hybrid powertrain has been “designed to integrate seamlessly into the existing all-wheel architecture without any loss to all-wheel drive capability”.
The current sixth-generation Forester has already been on sale in North America since mid-2024. Its launch in Australia later this year means the new Forester – set to be known as a Strong Hybrid or S:HEV – will be the first model to arrive here with Subaru’s revitalised hybrid tech.
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Overseas model shown
As with the standard Forester, at the heart of the hybrid’s powertrain will be a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre flat four-cylinder (boxer) engine producing 121kW of power and 209Nm of torque.
Power will be sent to all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT), maintaining Subaru’s long-established ‘symmetrical’ all-wheel drive setup.
Its CVT combines two integrated electric motor generators, with motor output rated at 88kW – identical to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – and 270Nm for a total system power output of 145kW. That figure is up from the standard Forester’s 136kW.
The hybrid Forester is fitted with a lithium-ion unit of undisclosed capacity, matching the latest generation of Toyota tech found in models like the Corolla Cross and C-HR.
Subaru says the hybrid Forester’s fuel economy is “up to 40 per cent” better than the standard SUV’s, with a combined fuel consumption claim of 35 miles per gallon (around 6.7L/100km).
For context, Australian-delivered all-wheel drive RAV4 Hybrids have a claimed fuel efficiency of 4.8L/100km, while our outgoing Forester mild-hybrids also have claimed efficiency of 6.7L/100km.
Australian Forester S:HEVs will be available with upgraded gear including X-Mode Dual Mode with hill descent control, active torque vectoring, and vehicle dynamics control – along with 220mm of ground clearance.
Like the standard Forester, inside there’s an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Behind the steering wheel is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with navigation and Apple Maps compatibility.
Also standard is Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which includes autonomous emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection. That system was proved to be exceptionally effective, especially at night, in recent testing conducted in the US.
The Forester Hybrid will go on sale in the US in mid-2025 with four variants available – Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring – ranging in price from US$34,995 to US$41,695 (A$55,623 to A$66,275) before on-road costs.
In the US, the standard Forester is offered in the same four variants priced from US$32,110 to US$39,995 (A$51,038 to A$62,571) before on-road costs – with the addition of a base variant for US$29,180 (A$46,386) before on-roads.
Pricing and full specifications for Australian Forester S:HEVs is expected to be announced closer to the model’s local launch.
Prices for the fifth-generation Forester currently sold in Australia range from $38,690 to $50,140 before on-roads, though that will likely change when the sixth-generation model arrives in local showrooms later this year.
Nestled in the current range are two hybrid models: the Forester Hybrid L and Hybrid S, priced at $44,090 and $50,140 before on-roads respectively.
Like the new US model, Australian hybrid Foresters are fitted with a lithium-ion battery, though motor outputs are significantly lower at 12.3kW and 66Nm.
As mentioned, hybrid models have a better economy claim of 6.7L/100km compared to the petrol models’ 7.4L/100km.
Before the Forester, Subaru’s revitalised hybrid lineup was kicked off by the Crosstrek Hybrid that launched in Japan late last year, and is due to be launched in US in the coming months.
It too features Toyota hybrid tech and a 2.5-litre boxer engine, up from the 2.0-litre engine in outgoing Subaru hybrids.
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