If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to combine mild hybrid enthusiasm with a hearty dose of rugged outdoorsy branding, then Subaru has your answer in the form of the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid. Yes, it’s back, and this time with a bit more attitude, a new platform, and just enough electrification to make you feel mildly superior while waiting in line at Whole Foods.
Exterior
Subaru’s design refresh last year brought a blockier, more upright profile to the Forester, giving it a bit more SUV street cred. The front grille has grown—because, of course, it has—and it now looks slightly more aggressive.
You’ll notice sharper LED lighting, a more squared-off rear, and some extra plastic cladding to hint at its “I go camping twice a year” lifestyle. It’s not flashy, but that’s kind of the point. This is a Subaru, not a Mercedes. You’re meant to feel like you own a Patagonia fleece, even if your idea of adventure is dodging potholes on your suburban commute.
Under the hood
Under the hood, we have a 2.5-liter flat-four boxer engine paired with Subaru’s mild hybrid system, which includes a small 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery, an integrated motor-generator, and a traction motor. Combined output? A thrilling 194 horsepower. That’s right, just six horses shy of the magical 200, but you know it’s going to be enough for Subaru’s loyal following. It does make it the most powerful Forester you can buy, and for comparison, the gas version of the Forester produces only 180 hp, so we have an extra 14 hp available.
The gas engine alone produces 162 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque, which might not seem impressive at first. But when you consider that the hybrid system adds another 118 horsepower and 199 pound-feet from the main traction motor hidden in the transmission case, it starts to look a lot better.
There’s a new, smoother CVT that vibrates less compared to Subaru’s old Lineartronic units. While this won’t drastically speed up the 0-60 time, it does give a peppier feel in city driving. The main advantage here is the fuel efficiency, which goes from 28 mpg combined (with 19-inch wheels) or 29 mpg (with 17- or 18-inch wheels) in the standard Forester to an impressive 35 mpg combined in the hybrid.
More good news, the Forester Hybrid has been given even more sound deadening than the non-hybrid, and it can operate in EV-only mode, making it even quieter.
Fuel sipper?
Fuel economy is the main reason this hybrid exists, and Subaru claims around 33 mpg combined. That’s respectable for an all-wheel-drive crossover, and about 3-4 mpg better than the non-hybrid Forester. It’s not revolutionary, but again—Subaru’s not here to shake the system. They’re here to make your camping cooler feel morally justified.
AWD System
The Forester Hybrid features an all-wheel-drive transfer case, meaning all four wheels get power from the hybrid powertrain. In contrast, some competitors, like Toyota, only power the front wheels, with an electric motor stepping in to drive the rear wheels when extra traction is necessary. In short, Subaru’s system is superior. Additionally, Subaru has upgraded the suspension to accommodate the added weight of the hybrid system, which is 300 pounds heavier.
Driving Dynamics: Safe and Predictable
Driving the 2025 Forester Hybrid is like drinking chamomile tea; it’s comforting, safe, but not particularly exciting, which is exactly what is expected.
The new Subaru Global Platform gives the Forester a bit more rigidity and refinement, and you can feel it in how the car handles bumps and road imperfections. It’s quiet (relatively speaking), the ride is smooth, and the steering is light enough that your grandma could pilot it with one finger while drinking coffee with the other.
The hybrid system doesn’t really translate into more performance, though; still, in day-to-day use, it’s perfectly adequate. Around-town driving is fine, and it proves quite zippy off the line. It’s only when you get to 30 mph does the rate of acceleration drop off, so highway merging takes a little patience.
Subaru’s legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive comes standard, because of course it does. It’s what makes a Forester a Forester. You can confidently tackle snow, gravel, dirt, and maybe a curb or two at the farmer’s market. Just don’t mistake this for a rock-crawling Wrangler alternative.
Interior: IKEA Simplicity Meets Subaru Utility
Step inside, and you’re greeted with a cabin that screams, “I own three reusable water bottles.” The dashboard design is clean, functional, and noticeably more refined than the outgoing model. Soft-touch materials cover the upper dash, while the lower panels and door trim remind you that cost-cutting still exists.
Seats are supportive, and in this top trim Touring model are leather-covered; lesser trims come with water-resistant upholstery options if you’re prone to hiking or just really bad with coffee lids. The driving position is upright, and visibility is excellent. Subaru nailed the big-window greenhouse again, meaning you can actually see out of the thing without a rearview camera (though it has one of those too, of course).
Rear passengers get generous legroom and headroom, and there’s more than enough space for your golden retriever, toddler, or emotionally distant hiking buddy. Rear seats are heated, you get vents and power, and the material quality feels like it should last forever.
The Forester Hybrid features Subaru’s 11.6-inch touchscreen that has a tablet design, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For 2025, there’s a new 12.3-inch driver display exclusive to the hybrid model. This driver screen includes navigation and works with Apple Maps. You can also manage audio, climate, and vehicle settings through the infotainment system.
Cargo Space
One of the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid’s most practical strengths is cargo capacity. Behind the second row, you’ll find about 29 cubic feet of space. Fold those seats down, and that figure jumps to over 74 cubic feet, enough for camping gear, mountain bikes, or seven Trader Joe’s paper bags brimming with organic kale and frozen gyoza.
And yes, the load floor is flat, the tailgate opening is wide, and there are a few handy tie-downs and cubbies to lock down your belongings.
Pricing
Expect to pay about $3,000 more for the Hybrid trim. This one is a Touring, so prices start at $41,695, and the only option is this Green Metallic Paint for $495, which takes the price to $43,610, including destination.
Safety
Subaru’s EyeSight safety suite is standard and includes adaptive cruise control, lane centering, automatic emergency braking, and a driver distraction monitor that occasionally tattles on you if you dare glance at your fries. There’s also an available surround-view camera system, which helps with parking in tight spaces.
VIDEO REVIEW
Verdict: A Very Subaru Hybrid
The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid doesn’t aim to be the fastest, flashiest, or most luxurious SUV on the road, and it’s clearly fine with that. What it does aim to be is a solid, sensible, and lightly electrified crossover that blends everyday practicality with a hint of wilderness fantasy. It’s the kind of car that lets you feel eco-conscious without actually plugging anything in or changing your lifestyle too much. In that sense, it’s very on-brand.
For families, dog lovers, weekend hikers, and outdoorsy Instagram lurkers who want something safe, capable, and fuel-efficient, the Forester Hybrid is a smart pick. It won’t wow your neighbors or get your heart racing, but it’ll carry your kayak, survive a snowstorm, and sip gas while doing it. The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid does more with less.
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Numbers
BASE PRICE: $41,695
PRICE AS TESTED: $43,610
VEHICLE LAYOUT: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
ENGINE: 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve flat-4
POWER: 162 hp
TORQUE: 154 lb-ft
A/C MOTOR: 118 hp, 199 lb-ft
COMBINED POWER: 194 hp
BATTERY PACK: 1.1-kWh lithium-ion
TRANSMISSION: Continuously variable automatic
CURB WEIGHT: 3,946 lb
0-60 MPH: 8.6 seconds
WHEELS AND TIRES: 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/50 Bridgestone Turanza tires
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON: 35/35/34mpg
OUR OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY 30.1 mpg
CARGO SPACE: 28.9 cubic feet and 74.2 cubic feet with seat area
PROS: More zoom off the line, quieter, excellent visibility, and cabin space
CONS: Still needs more power, tech interface can be clunky
