2025 Subaru Forester : Hybrids are on the rise and those manufacturers who aren’t heavy on hybrids are having a bad time in the market as BEV sales slow and the government begins to phase out polluting vehicles. Although the Forester hybrid had long since been available in the Japanese market, the Subaru Forester hybrid finally arrived to meet demand.
But that’s not all, Subaru has also unveiled a new off-road orientated trim for the Forester called the Forester Wilderness. It receives rugged bits here and there, as well as a special mode when the going gets tough. Pricing for the new hybrid vehicle starts at $36,415, while the hybrid models will begin arriving at dealerships this spring.
Subaru Forester Hybrid
The hybrid system is simple. There’s also a 1.1 kWh battery and Subaru has managed to slot an electric motor in between the 2.5L boxer engine and the CVT transmission. The electric motor with 188 bhp and 270 Nm of torque supplements the ICE’s 162 bhp and 208 Nm of torque. Together it generates a total of 194 bhp.
The hybrid in this case will not run the vehicle in full electric mode very often, and it is simply for filling in the gap when the ICE engine does not have to push the vehicle a whole lot and it only ended up increasing its efficiency while working together. They battery is also pretty tiny (1.1 kWh) if you expect any all electric range.
The upshot is 35 mpg combined instead of the typical 29 mpg. That also gives the Forester an excellent range. It has a range of 581 miles (935 kms) on a single tank of fuel. The car is now 300 lbs (136 kgs) heavier, but there’s no other changes. The hybrid can be had in four basic trims-Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring.
Subaru’s Wilderness Editions have been a hit and the Forester is the latest model to receive the treatment. The Wilderness edition features upgraded suspension and a body that’s been lifted by 9.3 inches of ground clearance. You get off-road oriented tyres too and of course, the usual mix of rugged looking wheels, cladding and graphics. Subaru has not just left it at that.
A separate final drive ratio motivates the CVT to perform well off-road, and the sophisticated X-Mode also has the ability to overwhelm the traction control system in search of grip when the pavement ends. There’s underbody protection and, of course, tow hooks, but Subaru has also fitted a transmission cooler allowing the vehicle to tow about 3,500 pounds.
Other changes include a new style of fog lights and roof rails that are capable of carrying 800 pounds. The Wilderness also cannot be had with the new hybrid powertrain option and will come come equipped with the standard 2.5L boxer engine churning out just 180 bhp.
Unfortunately, the Forester Wilderness buyers will need to wait a bit longer because the vehicle will come as a 2026 model year vehicle in the fall of this year.