Subaru is upping its game with the next-gen Forester Hybrid making its debut at the Chicago Auto Show. It introduces a newly developed “strong” hybrid system that not only delivers as much as 10 mpg better fuel economy but enhances the performance of the brand’s familiar Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system for go-anywhere traction. Headlight.News has more.
The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid makes its debut at the Chicago Auto Show.
Subaru is upping its game with the next-gen Forester Hybrid making its debut at the Chicago Auto Show. It introduces a newly developed “strong” hybrid system that not only delivers as much as 10 mpg better fuel economy but enhances the performance of the brand’s familiar Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system for go-anywhere traction. Headlight.News has more.
At a time when automakers struggle to deliver even a mile or two a gallon of extra fuel economy, Subaru is likely to draw some significant attention with the launch of the new Forester Hybrid at this week’s Chicago Auto Show.
Equipped with what the Japanese automaker describes as a “next-generation” hybrid system it not only delivers 40% better mileage than conventional, gas-powered Foresters, but a whopping 10 mpg more than the prior gas-electric drivetrain could muster.
Meanwhile, the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid boasts better performance out of the brand’s familiar Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive technology, as well.
New “strong” hybrid system
A closer look at the new Subaru hybrid drivetrain.
Subaru was relatively late to the party when it comes to electrifying its product line-up but it’s been racing to catch up with products such as the all-electric Solterra and the original Forester and Crosstrek models. Based on what the automaker had to say about the latest hybrid system during a Chicago news conference it should mark a significant improvement.
While the origins of the new system were downplayed, Subaru turned to its Japanese ally, Toyota, for help in developing the latest-generation hybrid. That move clearly paid off, as it claims improvements not only in fuel economy and driving range but engine power and torque, as well as all-wheel-drive capabilities.
The new system is what engineers call a “series-parallel” hybrid. That means the 2025 Forester Hybrid’s wheels can derive power either from the gas or the electric side of the powertrain or, when needed, both sources.
By the numbers
The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid igets up to 40% better mileage than gas versions of the crossover.
The gas side of the new “strong” hybrid is a newly updated version of the familiar Subaru 2.5-liter Boxer-4 engine, here using the Atkinson cycle to improve efficiency. It’s paired with both an electric motor generator fitted inside a Lineartronic CVT gearbox, along with a separate electric traction motor.
The new system’s traction motor alone produces 88 kW, or 108 hp, compared to just 10 kW in the prior “mild” Forester hybrid system, That boosts the combined drivetrain package to a peak 194 horsepower – 14 more than before.
The electric drive draws power from a 1.0-kWh battery pack, up from the old system’s 0.6 kWh battery. And by boosting voltage, it can deliver more torque for a longer period of time. It also can “regenerate” more energy, captured when the vehicle is coasting or braking.
And that’s where the magic comes in from a fuel economy perspective, Subaru explaining that “the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid is expected to return up to 40% better fuel economy in the city, and up to 25% better fuel economy in combined city and highway cruising, compared to the non-hybrid model.
The new crossover yields an EPA-rated 35 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, 35 mpg combined. And that’s an improvement of 10 mpg in the city column compared to the old Forester Hybrid. And if you’re on a long trip you’ll get as much as 581 miles before needing to refuel.
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Other upgrades
Inside the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid.
The upgraded drivetrain will be paired with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, standard on all trims. That should enhance its road-gripping capabilities, the automaker claims. Traction is further enhanced by features such as Hill Descent Control, Active Torque Vectoring and Vehicle Dynamics Control.
The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid also gets an upgraded version of the brand’s Eyesight advanced driver assistance technology. It boasts a wider field of view and other enhancements meant to prevent collisions, not only with other vehicles but pedestrians and bicyclists.
A new feature, notes Subaru, is Emergency Stop Assist which comes into play “if the driver becomes unresponsive to warnings while using Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control. The new standard safety feature will stop the vehicle, activate the hazard lights, and unlock the doors. Subaru Connected Services will then place a call to emergency services.”
Other technology includes a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with navigation and Apple Maps compatibility. An 11.6-inch touchscreen is equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Pricing and availability
The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid is scheduled to arrive in U.S. dealer showrooms this coming spring.
It will start at $34,995 – plus delivery fees.
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