Subaru is poised to capitalize on the resurgence of interest in hybrid vehicles with the introduction of the 2025 Forester Hybrid next year.
On Subaru’s official website, there’s already a feature to reserve a model, with confirmation that deliveries will commence mid-next year.
The brand has been without a hybrid offering in the U.S. since the Crosstrek Hybrid was discontinued at the close of 2023. While Subaru has released an electric vehicle called the Solterra, the Forester Hybrid’s arrival signifies the company’s re-entry into the hybrid market.
The new Forester Hybrid will be built on the freshly redesigned sixth-generation Forester, which was introduced earlier this year as part of the 2025 lineup. Additionally, Subaru plans to continue offering the previous-generation Forester Wilderness for the 2025 model year.
2025 Subaru Forester
Prototypes of the Forester Hybrid in camouflage have been seen on the roads. These prototypes suggest there may be minimal visual differences between the hybrid model and the standard version, apart from possible badging.
The anticipated powertrain is expected to feature a newly designed system called the Subaru Strong Hybrid. This setup has already debuted in the Crosstrek Hybrid in Japan and combines a hybrid-optimized variant of Subaru’s 2.5-liter flat-4 engine with an upgraded electric motor and battery compared to earlier Subaru hybrid models. The electric components are developed in collaboration with Toyota.
Subaru Strong Hybrid powertrain
In the Crosstrek Hybrid released in Japan, the 2.5-liter flat-4 engine produces 158 hp on its own, while the electric motor adds another 88 hp. The system features a battery capacity of 1.1 kWh. Though Subaru hasn’t disclosed all specifications, they have stated that the new Crosstrek Hybrid will use around 20% less fuel than its predecessor, while offering a 0-60 mph acceleration time that is two seconds quicker.
Subaru enthusiasts can look forward to even more developments soon. There are reports of a redesigned Outback undergoing testing, along with the probability of a rugged Wilderness variant of the latest Forester in the future.
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