In February 2025, Subaru chose the Second City’s Chicago Auto Show to debut its new Forester Hybrid, the first time the popular SUV has been offered in hybrid form. Subaru also debuted the 2026 Forester Wilderness, a hotly anticipated update to the Wilderness Family.
2025 Forester Hybrid
The Forester Hybrid is equipped with a next-generation Subaru series-parallel hybrid system that utilizes a 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine along with electric motors and a high-capacity lithium-ion battery, combining for 194 total horsepower, an over 7% jump from the Forester with a conventional gas engine.
Subaru enthusiasts will love the combination of up to 40% better fuel economy while retaining legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, award-winning EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology,1 and an 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system with wireless Apple CarPlay®2 and Android Auto™3 compatibility.4
In fact, this is the first model in the Subaru lineup to be powered by a next-generation Subaru series-parallel hybrid powertrain that integrates a 2.5-liter Boxer Engine and electric motors with Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Lineartronic® CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). That’s also the same powertrain that will be featured in the new 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid that Subaru announced on January 16, 2025, featuring the same increase in horsepower over the conventional Crosstrek engine.
What Is a Series-Parallel Hybrid Powertrain?
The Forester Hybrid is equipped with a newly developed 2.5-liter Atkinson/Miller-cycle SUBARU BOXER engine, coupled to an electric motor generator and electric traction motor. Rated at 194 combined horsepower, the system uses the electric motor, engine or both to power the 2025 Forester Hybrid on and off the pavement.
It’s worth a bit of explanation to understand the difference between this powertrain and some others that have been in use in hybrids since they became available here in 1999.
A Series Hybrid only sends power to the wheels via the electric motor. The gas engine is essentially a generator that continuously charges the drive battery, which in turn sends power to the wheels.
A Parallel Hybrid allows both the gas engine and the electric motor to power the wheels simultaneously. This system is often used in high-performance vehicles where the combined power of the gas engine and the electric motor are prized over fuel economy.
A Series-Parallel Hybrid is a blend of both or either: It allows the vehicle to be powered by just the electric motor and the high-capacity battery OR it can solely use the gas engine for power. And finally, it can utilize power from both the gas engine and the electric motor at the same time. “Its efficiencies mean that the series/parallel drivetrain can perform better — and use less fuel — than either the series or parallel systems alone,” reads an explainer from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
In the Forester Hybrid, the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system is mechanically coupled to both the front and rear wheels. Along with the engine and motors, the Forester Hybrid is equipped with a lithium-ion battery.
The series-parallel hybrid system 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.
Familiar Subaru Safety Technology
As we wrote about in our driving impressions story on the 2025 Subaru Forester equipped with a gas engine, this vehicle brims with award-winning safety technology. Every trim level of the Forester Hybrid will be standard with EyeSight1, which was updated to the latest version to operate more smoothly and quickly and under a greater range of conditions than prior versions.
Improvements to EyeSight are centered on a wider field of view, updated control software and a new electric brake booster for confident, smooth stops.
This version of EyeSight can also identify cyclists and pedestrians at intersections sooner. When necessary, the system will alert the driver to pedestrians in its path with visual and audible warnings and then can apply the brakes to avoid a collision.
Active safety features like Reverse Automatic Braking5 and Blind-Spot Detection6 with Lane Change Assist7 and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert6 are available in select Forester Hybrid trim levels.
Emergency Stop Assist allows the vehicle to come safely to a stop if the driver becomes unresponsive to warnings while using Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control. A standard feature, Emergency Stop Assist can stop the vehicle, activate the hazard lights, and unlock the doors while MySubaru Connected Services will then place a call to emergency services.
Connectivity Is a Standard Feature
You’ll appreciate the visibility and ease of use of the 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system. Featuring a high-resolution touchscreen, the system is standard with wireless Apple CarPlay2 and Android Auto3 compatibility.4
The 11.6-inch screen includes combination meter integration and on-screen controls for audio, climate and vehicle functions.
Bluetooth®8 hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity are standard, along with an AM/FM stereo, rear-vision camera, HD Radio and a four-month trial of SiriusXM® All-Access Radio9 and SiriusXM Travel Link®9 Platinum Plan.
Exclusive Forester Hybrid Color
Along with a rich palate to make the Forester Hybrid your own, there’s an exclusive new color: Daybreak Blue. Select colors can also be purchased with a contrast black roof.
Inside, look for tough, durable, animal-free StarTex® upholstery on select trim levels.
2026 Forester Wilderness
The Subaru Forester Wilderness was hugely popular the second it was introduced for the 2022 model year. For 2026, the Forester Wilderness has been updated to reflect the styling and equipment updates showcased in the sixth-generation Forester that became available for the 2025 model year.
The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness has 9.3 inches of ground clearance (up from 9.2 inches for the 2025 model year). Like the new sixth-generation Subaru Forester, the new Forester Wilderness uses a 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine that makes 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque available at a lower RPM.
The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness uses a revised Lineartronic CVT with a shorter final drive ratio for better low-speed off-roadability paired with advanced dual-function X-MODE® with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes for added confidence.
All-terrain Yokohama Geolandar® tires on Wilderness-exclusive 17-inch anthracite wheels offer better performance on muddy or gravel roads. The improved transmission cooler allows the Forester Wilderness to tow up to 3,500 pounds,10 and a new rear differential temperature sensor offers more confidence on the trails.
Look for improved approach, departure and breakover angles compared to the 2025 Forester. Roof rails on the 2026 Forester Wilderness provide up to 800 pounds of static capacity, a platform suitable for a rooftop tent and its occupants.11
2025 Forester Hybrid Specifications
* MSRP does not include destination and delivery charges, tax, title, and registration fees. Destination and delivery includes handling and inland freight fees and may vary in some states. Prices, specifications, options, features, and models subject to change without notice. Select colors may be subject to an additional charge. See your retailer for more information. 1 EyeSight is a driver-assist system that may not operate optimally under all driving conditions. The driver is always responsible for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors, such as vehicle maintenance, weather, and road conditions. See Owner’s Manual for complete details on system operation and limitations. 2 Apple CarPlay® is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. 3 Android Auto™ is a trademark of Google, LLC. 4 Compatible smartphone and application required. The MySubaru app requires Android 12+ or Apple iOS 15+. The latest app version is required for best performance. Data provided by smartphone is displayed on head unit screen. Some state laws prohibit the operation of handheld electronic devices while operating a vehicle. Smartphone apps should only be launched when vehicle is safely parked. Your wireless carrier’s rates may apply. 5 Reverse Automatic Braking is a system designed to assist the driver by detecting objects to help avoid a possible collision when the vehicle is moving in a reverse direction. It is not a substitute for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors such as vehicle maintenance, weather and road conditions. Always exercise caution and use vehicle mirrors and Rear-Vision Camera when backing up. See Owner’s Manual for complete details on system operation and limitations. 6 Blind-Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert are systems designed to assist the driver by monitoring the rear and side areas of the vehicle during a lane change or reversing and are not a substitute for safe and attentive driving. 7 Lane Change Assist monitors the area of an indicated lane change and provides steering assist to perform the change if the system determines it is safe to do so. It is not a substitute for safe and attentive driving. 8 Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. 9 SiriusXM® All Access Radio and SiriusXM Travel Link® are registered trademarks of Sirius XM Radio, Inc. 10 Maximum towing capacity varies by trim level. Trailer brakes may be needed. See your retailer for details. 11 Roof tents may be used in certain conditions. Contact your retailer for important safety information and requirements.
