The sixth-gen Subaru Forester that went on sale in the U.S. in 2024 will gain a hybrid variant in mid-2025. Unlike in the previous generation, the electrified derivative will be available even in the U.S. Here are five features of the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid that we think will make it worth the wait:
Added Performance
The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid will pack the company’s new-generation hybrid system that debuted in the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid in Japan in October 2024. It is a series-parallel system that combines the FB25 2.5-liter horizontally opposed engine with the MC2 AC synchronous electric motor. The engine produces 118 kW (158 hp) and 209 Nm (154 lb.-ft.) of torque, while the electric motor develops 88 kW (118 hp) and 270 Nm (199 lb.-ft.) of torque.
Thanks to its high-output electric motor, the 2025 Forester Hybrid should offer more responsiveness and better acceleration than the gas-powered Forester, noticeable particularly at low speeds. Thus, it will likely be a more sensible choice for city use.
Higher MPG
A motor-generator recovers the energy produced during deceleration and braking and stores it in a dedicated battery pack, expected to be a 1.1 kWh lithium-ion unit. The aforementioned traction motor uses this stored energy to assist the engine, thereby reducing fuel consumption. While the 2025 Forester delivers a fuel economy of up to 29 MPG (combined), the 2025 Forester Hybrid could return approximately 35 MPG (combined).
EV Mode
The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid should have an EV drive mode that shuts off the gas engine and moves it solely through the electric motor at low speeds. This mode will allow customers to leave a residential area in the morning and arrive at late night without disturbing neighbors. Since the battery pack is small, don’t expect the Forester Hybrid to drive in silence for more than a few miles.
Longer Range
Thanks to lower fuel consumption, the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid will have a higher driving range. While the gas model maxes out at 481 miles, the hybrid model will likely travel close to 600 miles, enabling customers to pursue their adventures in remote destinations without worries.
Mechanical AWD
The 2025 Forester Hybrid has been confirmed with Subaru’s highly acclaimed off-road prowess with a mechanical all-wheel drive system (Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive) that connects the front and rear wheels with a propeller shaft. Thus, compared to Toyota’s RAV4 Hybrid, which uses an electric motor to power the rear wheels, it will likely be more capable in extreme off-road situations or deep snow.
Also Read: Next-gen 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid & Plug-in Hybrid: What to Expect
Featured Image: Subaru Forester gas model
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
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