Forester Hybrid to Launch as 2025 Model, Subaru Says
The 2025 Subaru Forester is completely new. Well, almost. For one thing, the rugged Wilderness model is carried over from 2024. The big news will be the upcoming addition of a hybrid powertrain, as we’ve reported about a few times.
Subaru has now confirmed on its U.S. website that the Forester Hybrid will join the lineup by mid-2025, not as a 2026 model like we suspected but rather as a 2025 model.
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- Also: 2025 Subaru Forester: Buy Now or Wait for the Hybrid
Unfortunately, most of the juicy details will be released at a later date. Forget about the e-Boxer system that’s currently on sale in Europe. Engineers are working on a new technology based on a specifically designed 2.5-litre flat-four engine and a pair of electric motors (one that drives the wheels and another that acts as a generator). The transmission will be new, as well.
Output will exceed the 2025 Forester’s 180 horsepower, while fuel consumption will obviously be reduced (currently 9.1 L/100 km in city driving and 7.2 L/100 km on the highway). An improvement of around 20 percent is likely—probably not enough to match the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid or Ford Escape Hybrid, for example.
As for pricing, the Forester Hybrid won’t be cheap, that’s for sure. Remember, only the base 2025 Forester costs less than $40,000 when freight, PDI and other fees are included. The top-line Premier model starts at $47,661.
In addition to the Forester, Subaru will introduce a new Crosstrek Hybrid (not a PHEV this time around), and in all likelihood the next-generation Outback will also offer an electrified variant. All three are part of the new model debuts to watch for in 2025 across the auto industry. Speaking of which, we’ll list quite a few in a separate story coming up on January 4. Don’t miss it.