2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid evaluation: Fast drive

The Subaru Forester is famend for being sensible, succesful and a bit extra rugged than its mid-sized SUV rivals, however the competitors led by the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is getting ever extra subtle. 

That’s why Subaru has upgraded its sixth-generation Forester with a extra fashionable look and a number of mechanical upgrades.

Chief amongst these is a brand new hybrid system, which mixes the Japanese model’s trademark 2.5-litre four-cylinder ‘boxer’ petrol engine with electrical motor know-how. But it surely retains the all-wheel-drive format that has made the Forester such a favorite with Australian patrons.

Our first drive of the brand new Forester comes from its UK launch within the English midlands, so it is a evaluation of a British-specification mannequin with a European-focussed 2.0-litre engine that’s not anticipated to return to Australia. 

Nevertheless, the basics and the know-how stay roughly the identical, and we’ve put it to the take a look at on quick nation roads, in addition to highways and metropolis streets, plus just a little gentle off-roading, forward of the brand new Forester’s launch in Australia later this yr.

How does the Subaru Forester examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Subaru Forester in opposition to equally sized autos.

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Forester

How a lot does the Subaru Forester value?

In North America, the brand new Forester Hybrid is priced from US$34,995 (A$55,400), which makes it noticeably dearer than the most affordable Mazda CX-5, however the Subaru does include the hybrid system as customary. 

In reality, customary tools is fairly beneficiant, with even the fundamental Premium model getting a powered tailgate, digital instrument cluster and the brand new multimedia touchscreen. 

So, on a worth foundation, the Forester Hybrid doesn’t stack up badly alongside its rivals. Though Subaru Australia has not but confirmed pricing, we’re anticipating it to be equally positioned right here.

To see how the Subaru Forester strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

What’s the Subaru Forester like on the within?

The Forester’s cabin has by no means been probably the most upmarket, and the brand new Forester Hybrid does nothing a lot to alter that. The cabin is successfully the identical as that of the usual mannequin, with a portrait-orientated infotainment touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster.

The tech is pretty simple to make use of, nevertheless it doesn’t look all that spectacular. The graphics are fairly blocky, and the color scheme is all a bit old-school, which isn’t essentially a giant downside for these upgrading their current Subaru.

However should you’re a Volkswagen Tiguan, RAV4 or CX-5, which can be about to be renewed, the Forester’s display screen appears decidedly outdated.

As do a few of the inside supplies, that are strong sufficient and neatly constructed, however they aren’t precisely tactile. There are some actually cheap-feeling plastics knocking about, and even the upholstery on the steering wheel feels underwhelming. 

Mix that with some darkish colors and switchgear that feels lower than inspiring, and the Forester actually doesn’t really feel as updated as a lot of its rivals. Even the RAV4, which isn’t precisely salubrious, feels plusher than the Subaru inside.

However whereas the Forester will not be the classiest of contenders on this extremely aggressive market section, it’s no less than roomy. 

Boot capability is greater than 500 litres, which places it on a par with most of its rivals, whereas the rear cabin area can be fairly beneficiant, each by way of legroom and headroom. And the seats are comfy throughout, whereas youngster seat mounting factors are fitted within the two outboard rear seats – as is the norm on this sector.

To see how the Subaru Forester strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

What’s beneath the bonnet?

For Australia, the brand new Forester Hybrid will mix a 2.5-litre flat four-cylinder petrol engine producing 121kW with two built-in electrical motor mills producing as much as 88kW. The system then drives all 4 wheels by means of a ‘Lineartronic’ repeatedly variable transmission and Subaru’s confirmed ‘symmetrical’ all-wheel drive system.

The mix provides the Forester Hybrid a complete output of 145kW – up on the 136kW of the usual Forester – and Subaru claims it’s as much as 40 per cent extra environment friendly than the usual mannequin round city. 

The official gas consumption determine of 6.7L/100km is greater than the RAV4 Hybrid’s, however an enchancment on the 7.4L/100km of purely petrol-powered Foresters.

To see how the Subaru Forester strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

How does the Subaru Forester drive?

The Forester has made a reputation for itself as being rugged and succesful off-road, and Subaru has been cautious to retain that functionality with the brand new Forester Hybrid.

With 220mm of floor clearance and Subaru’s hallmark AWD system beneath the ground, the Forester has loads of traction and, though we solely did some very gentle off-roading throughout our first drive, it took all of it in its stride. 

It didn’t miss a beat within the muddy ruts, and aside from some squirming from the entrance wheels, we’d barely have identified we weren’t on a a lot grippier floor.

Our UK-spec take a look at automobile employed a 100kW 2.0-litre hybrid system quite than the two.5-litre system we’ll get in Australia. However displacement apart, the idea is far the identical and it’s remarkably proactive, shutting down the engine and utilizing electrical energy each time the system doesn’t must work too exhausting. 

And since Subaru has labored to make it smoother than earlier than, all the system is extra refined than within the outgoing Forester Hybrid.

Admittedly, when pushed exhausting, our 2.0-litre take a look at automobile made various noise and didn’t have that a lot energy available, however then 100kW is nowhere close to the 145kW that Australian clients will get.

That must also assistance on the refinement entrance as a result of it received’t be essential to push the powertrain as you must push the two.0-litre automobile to make something approaching brisk progress.

However the powertrain will not be the one factor Subaru has up to date. Quite a few structural tweaks embody additional welding within the bodywork, making the automobile stiffer and due to this fact extra refined and extra agile – no less than in principle. 

In apply, the Forester is a little more comfy, with barely softer suspension that makes the experience extra palatable than earlier than over longer-wavelength bumps. It’s too smooth over sharper floor imperfections, however on longer journeys it feels noticeably extra compliant than its predecessor.

Sadly, it’s no higher to drive. The steering may be very gentle and just a little obscure, which doesn’t encourage a lot confidence in corners, the place there’s additionally a good bit of physique roll – presumably a by-product of the smooth suspension and axle articulation essential for off-roading.

But it surely means the automobile is sort of manoeuvrable on the town, and the sheer quantity of glass above the beltline means outward visibility is fairly good. And the Forester continues to be higher than most of its opponents on the subject of tackling the tough stuff.

To see how the Subaru Forester strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

What do you get?

Subaru Australia has not confirmed remaining specs for the brand new Forester Hybrid regionally, though some particulars have surfaced. We’re anticipating three or 4 trim ranges to be supplied.

2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid highlights:

• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• EyeSight driver help know-how
• Driving modes
• Reversing digicam
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Air-conditioning
• Satellite tv for pc navigation

To see how the Subaru Forester strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

Is the Subaru Forester secure?

The brand new-look Forester Hybrid is but to be assessed by ANCAP, however the 2.0-litre model handed Euro NCAP testing with flying colors, reaching the highest five-star score from the impartial European security physique. 

Subaru has been busily updating its EyeSight camera-based security know-how to assist make sure you don’t must put these crashworthiness credentials to the take a look at. Lots of the features of that system might be simply accessed by means of the touchscreen, so you may change the techniques you want on and off comparatively rapidly and simply.

Security tools contains:

• Autonomous emergency braking
• Lane-keeping help
• Parking sensors
• Pre-collision throttle administration
• Automated emergency steering
• Adaptive cruise management

To see how the Subaru Forester strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

How a lot does the Subaru Forester value to run?

Subaru Australia at present affords a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee for all new automobiles, and the brand new Forester will likely be no exception.

On the street, the two.5-litre Forester Hybrid is claimed to devour 6.7L/100km, which is an enchancment on petrol-powered variations and just a little extra environment friendly than the outgoing hybrid mannequin. 

On longer drives, the automobile isn’t all that economical because of its everlasting all-wheel drive system, however the electrical motor takes plenty of the pressure off the engine round city, enhancing its city effectivity.

To see how the Subaru Forester strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

CarExpert’s Tackle the Subaru Forester

For those who worth ruggedness, reliability and off-road functionality above all else, the Forester continues to be the automobile for you. 

It’s now higher trying and extra comfy than earlier than, but when heading away from the blacktop is much less of a precedence and also you simply desire a household SUV that feels semi-premium and nice to drive, there are higher and extra polished choices on the market.

Eager about shopping for a Subaru Forester? Get in contact with one in every of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

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