Subaru Forester Hybrid: Latest Updates and Analysis
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid gets Toyota-sourced Strong Hybrid system – 197 PS, 40% more efficient
Just over a year after the world premiere of the sixth-generation Forester, Subaru has now pulled the covers off the Hybrid model ahead of the Chicago Auto Show this weekend. As previously reported, the car derives its petrol-electric powertrain from the latest Crosstrek Hybrid, which in turn took the technology from Toyota’s highly successful hybrid models.
The Strong Hybrid system, as the Pleiades brand calls it, is a series-parallel setup that replaces the mild hybrid e-Boxer offered on the previous Forester. This consists of a larger [website] litre Atkinson-cycle naturally-aspirated flat-four (the e-Boxer used a [website] litre mill) mated to two electric motors, these being a motor-generator that charges the [website] kWh lithium-ion battery and a traction motor that provides motive power.
No outputs for the engine and traction motor were provided, but in the Crosstrek Hybrid those power data produced 160 PS and 209 Nm of torque and 88 PS and 270 Nm respectively. Subaru did, however, release a total system output for the Forester Hybrid, which is 197 PS – up from 182 PS on the [website] litre petrol model.
The motors, eCVT (still branded as Lineartronic), front differential gear and electronically-controlled coupling are integrated into a single transaxle, routing both petrol and electric power to all four wheels and enabling the use of one or the other (or both) to drive the car, unlike the e-Boxer system. The car retains Subaru’s trademark symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, setting the Forester Hybrid apart from Toyota’s E-Four setup that adds a separate electric motor to turn the rear wheels.
In terms of fuel consumption, the Forester Hybrid is estimated to hit an EPA-rated [website] litres per 100 km in the city, [website] litres per 100 km on the highway and [website] litres per 100 km combined, figures that are up to 40% lower in the city and up to 25% lower combined. Subaru proposes up to 935 km of total range.
The corporation also says the Forester Hybrid retains the standard model’s off-road prowess – besides the aforementioned AWD system, the car also elements an impressive 220 mm in ground clearance and comes with dual-function X-Mode with hill descent control, torque vectoring by braking and Vehicle Dynamics Control.
Beyond the new powertrain, the Forester Hybrid retains the sixth-gen’s rather uninspired blocky design, albeit with a contrasting Crystal Black Silica roof on certain colours and a unique Daybreak Blue Pearl colour option.
Inside, you’ll find the same [website] portrait touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but there’s a new [website] digital instrument display with hybrid-specific screens. Animal-free StarTex upholstery is available on select trim levels.
Safety-wise, the Forester Hybrid is fitted as standard in the US with the latest EyeSight suite of driver assistance systems, now featuring reverse autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring with collision prevention and rear cross traffic alert.
Emergency stop assist has also been added, detecting if a driver is unresponsive to warnings while using adaptive cruise control, stopping the vehicle and placing a call to emergency services. The Forester Hybrid will enter US dealers in the spring, priced starting from US$34,995 (RM155,200).
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2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid revealed and locked in for Australia
Subaru of America has unveiled the newest model in its expanding hybrid lineup, and it’s been confirmed for an Australian launch in mid-2025.
Revealed at the 2025 Chicago Auto Show, the Subaru Forester Hybrid follows the lately unveiled Crosstrek Hybrid in showcasing the latest in Subaru’s hybrid technology – leveraging Toyota’s hybrid expertise to create a model with both more grunt and improved efficiency.
Under the skin remain the same bones as the regular Forester, as Subaru says its new hybrid powertrain has been “designed to integrate seamlessly into the existing all-wheel architecture without any loss to all-wheel drive capability”.
The current sixth-generation Forester has already been on sale in North America since mid-2024. Its launch in Australia later this year means the new Forester – set to be known as a Strong Hybrid or S:HEV – will be the first model to arrive here with Subaru’s revitalised hybrid tech.
Those interested in the new-generation Forester Hybrid can register their interest here.
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As with the standard Forester, at the heart of the hybrid’s powertrain will be a naturally aspirated [website] flat four-cylinder (boxer) engine producing 121kW of power and 209Nm of torque.
Power will be sent to all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT), maintaining Subaru’s long-established ‘symmetrical’ all-wheel drive setup.
Its CVT combines two integrated electric motor generators, with motor output rated at 88kW – identical to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – and 270Nm for a total system power output of 145kW. That figure is up from the standard Forester’s 136kW.
The hybrid Forester is fitted with a lithium-ion unit of undisclosed capacity, matching the latest generation of Toyota tech found in models like the Corolla Cross and C-HR.
Subaru says the hybrid Forester’s fuel economy is “up to 40 per cent” improved than the standard SUV’s, with a combined fuel consumption claim of 35 miles per gallon (around [website].
For context, Australian-delivered all-wheel drive RAV4 Hybrids have a claimed fuel efficiency of [website], while our outgoing Forester mild-hybrids also have claimed efficiency of [website].
Australian Forester S:HEVs will be available with upgraded gear including X-Mode Dual Mode with hill descent control, active torque vectoring, and vehicle dynamics control – along with 220mm of ground clearance.
Like the standard Forester, inside there’s an [website] touchscreen infotainment system with both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Behind the steering wheel is a [website] digital instrument cluster with navigation and Apple Maps compatibility.
Also standard is Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which includes autonomous emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection. That system was proved to be exceptionally effective, especially at night, in recent testing conducted in the US.
The Forester Hybrid will go on sale in the US in mid-2025 with four variants available – Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring – ranging in price from US$34,995 to US$41,695 (A$55,623 to A$66,275) before on-road costs.
In the US, the standard Forester is offered in the same four variants priced from US$32,110 to US$39,995 (A$51,038 to A$62,571) before on-road costs – with the addition of a base variant for US$29,180 (A$46,386) before on-roads.
Pricing and full specifications for Australian Forester S:HEVs is expected to be showcased closer to the model’s local launch.
Prices for the fifth-generation Forester currently sold in Australia range from $38,690 to $50,140 before on-roads, though that will likely change when the sixth-generation model arrives in local showrooms later this year.
Nestled in the current range are two hybrid models: the Forester Hybrid L and Hybrid S, priced at $44,090 and $50,140 before on-roads respectively.
Like the new US model, Australian hybrid Foresters are fitted with a lithium-ion battery, though motor outputs are significantly lower at [website] and 66Nm.
As mentioned, hybrid models have a improved economy claim of [website] compared to the petrol models’ [website].
Before the Forester, Subaru’s revitalised hybrid lineup was kicked off by the Crosstrek Hybrid that launched in Japan late last year, and is due to be launched in US in the coming months.
It too functions Toyota hybrid tech and a [website] boxer engine, up from the [website] engine in outgoing Subaru hybrids.
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2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness revealed
The latest-generation Subaru Forester has received the more adventurous Wilderness treatment, adding tougher looks and more rugged off-road equipment to mark the return of the “most capable” version of the Japanese brand’s top-selling SUV.
Less than a month after the uprated Forester was leaked in an online video, Subaru of America has officially unveiled its news Wilderness model lineup at the 2025 Chicago Auto Show – alongside the new Australia-bound Forester Hybrid.
Based on the sixth-generation mid-sized SUV, the Forester Wilderness promises to pair “go-anywhere capability” with a “refined interior and improved on- and off-road driving performance” when it launches in the US in the third quarter of 2025.
No Subaru Wilderness model has ever been sold in Australia, though the Japanese brand’s local arm has left the door open for a potential release Down Under.
“We remain very interested in Wilderness editions for our market and are working closely with Subaru Corporation on future opportunities for Australia,” a Subaru Australia spokesperson told CarExpert.
“We will be sure to keep you updated on any further developments when available.”.
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Mechanical tweaks for the Forester Wilderness include longer coil springs and shock absorbers, which have been tuned for “improved stability and comfort on- and off-road” and provide a maximum [website] inches (236mm) of ground clearance – up from the standard Forester’s 220mm measurement.
Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system remains albeit in a slightly tweaked form, claimed to offer “faster centre differential lockup and reduced wheelspin when off-roading”. Steering angle data has also been incorporated for “enhanced stability at turn-in and cornering on higher-speed roads”.
As for off-road focused gear, the Forester Wilderness is fitted with 17-inch Wilderness--terrain Yokohama Geolandar tyres.
Approach, departure, and breakover angles have also been improved over the standard Forester. Approach angle has been increased to [website] from 19 degrees, departure angle is up from [website] to [website] degrees, and breakover angle rises from [website] to 21 degrees.
Subaru has also fitted an uprated transmission cooler, allowing the Forester Wilderness to achieve a towing capacity of 3500 pounds (1587kg). Additionally, Subaru says the Global Platform underpinning the Forester has been enhanced with “10 per cent stiffer torsional rigidity” thanks to a tweaked design and improved manufacturing techniques.
Powering it all is Subaru’s standard [website] four-cylinder naturally aspirated boxer engine, which produces 136kW of power and 239Nm of torque.
Physical changes include standard roof rails with an 800-pound (362kg) static load capacity (176-pound or 80kg dynamic), hexagonal LED fog lights, underbody protection, and anodised copper-finish exterior accents.
Inside are more copper-finish elements, as well as water-resistant upholstery. As with the standard Forester there’s an [website] touchscreen infotainment system and [website] digital instrument cluster – the latter of which has been programmed with Wilderness-.
Subaru says full US pricing and specifications will be showcased closer to the model’s market launch.
The Wilderness range began in the US in 2022 with the Subaru Outback, which brought changes including a 20mm suspension lift for a ground clearance of 240mm, 17-inch alloy wheels, extensive black cladding with integrated tow hooks, an uprated 320kg roof rack, and a shorter final drive ratio.
It was later joined by the fifth-generation Forester and Crosstrek Wilderness in 2022 and 2023, respectively, the latter of which was most in the recent past updated, in 2024.
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Market Impact Analysis
Market Growth Trend
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.3% | 10.0% | 10.5% | 11.6% | 12.3% | 12.7% | 12.8% |
Quarterly Growth Rate
| Q1 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q4 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.9% | 11.7% | 12.4% | 12.8% |
Market Segments and Growth Drivers
| Segment | Market Share | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Connected Cars | 35% | 14.2% |
| Autonomous Driving | 22% | 18.5% |
| EV Technology | 28% | 21.9% |
| Telematics | 10% | 9.7% |
| Other Automotive Tech | 5% | 6.3% |
Technology Maturity Curve
Different technologies within the ecosystem are at varying stages of maturity:
Competitive Landscape Analysis
| Company | Market Share |
|---|---|
| Tesla | 16.9% |
| Waymo | 12.3% |
| NVIDIA DRIVE | 10.7% |
| Bosch | 9.5% |
| Continental | 7.8% |
Future Outlook and Predictions
The Subaru Forester Hybrid landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements, changing threat vectors, and shifting business requirements. Based on current trends and expert analyses, we can anticipate several significant developments across different time horizons:
Year-by-Year Technology Evolution
Based on current trajectory and expert analyses, we can project the following development timeline:
Technology Maturity Curve
Different technologies within the ecosystem are at varying stages of maturity, influencing adoption timelines and investment priorities:
Innovation Trigger
- Generative AI for specialized domains
- Blockchain for supply chain verification
Peak of Inflated Expectations
- Digital twins for business processes
- Quantum-resistant cryptography
Trough of Disillusionment
- Consumer AR/VR applications
- General-purpose blockchain
Slope of Enlightenment
- AI-driven analytics
- Edge computing
Plateau of Productivity
- Cloud infrastructure
- Mobile applications
Technology Evolution Timeline
- Technology adoption accelerating across industries
- digital transformation initiatives becoming mainstream
- Significant transformation of business processes through advanced technologies
- new digital business models emerging
- Fundamental shifts in how technology integrates with business and society
- emergence of new technology paradigms
Expert Perspectives
Leading experts in the automotive tech sector provide diverse perspectives on how the landscape will evolve over the coming years:
"Technology transformation will continue to accelerate, creating both challenges and opportunities."
— Industry Expert
"Organizations must balance innovation with practical implementation to achieve meaningful results."
— Technology Analyst
"The most successful adopters will focus on business outcomes rather than technology for its own sake."
— Research Director
Areas of Expert Consensus
- Acceleration of Innovation: The pace of technological evolution will continue to increase
- Practical Integration: Focus will shift from proof-of-concept to operational deployment
- Human-Technology Partnership: Most effective implementations will optimize human-machine collaboration
- Regulatory Influence: Regulatory frameworks will increasingly shape technology development
Short-Term Outlook (1-2 Years)
In the immediate future, organizations will focus on implementing and optimizing currently available technologies to address pressing automotive tech challenges:
- Technology adoption accelerating across industries
- digital transformation initiatives becoming mainstream
These developments will be characterized by incremental improvements to existing frameworks rather than revolutionary changes, with emphasis on practical deployment and measurable outcomes.
Mid-Term Outlook (3-5 Years)
As technologies mature and organizations adapt, more substantial transformations will emerge in how security is approached and implemented:
- Significant transformation of business processes through advanced technologies
- new digital business models emerging
This period will see significant changes in security architecture and operational models, with increasing automation and integration between previously siloed security functions. Organizations will shift from reactive to proactive security postures.
Long-Term Outlook (5+ Years)
Looking further ahead, more fundamental shifts will reshape how cybersecurity is conceptualized and implemented across digital ecosystems:
- Fundamental shifts in how technology integrates with business and society
- emergence of new technology paradigms
These long-term developments will likely require significant technical breakthroughs, new regulatory frameworks, and evolution in how organizations approach security as a fundamental business function rather than a technical discipline.
Key Risk Factors and Uncertainties
Several critical factors could significantly impact the trajectory of automotive tech evolution:
Organizations should monitor these factors closely and develop contingency strategies to mitigate potential negative impacts on technology implementation timelines.
Alternative Future Scenarios
The evolution of technology can follow different paths depending on various factors including regulatory developments, investment trends, technological breakthroughs, and market adoption. We analyze three potential scenarios:
Optimistic Scenario
Rapid adoption of advanced technologies with significant business impact
Key Drivers: Supportive regulatory environment, significant research breakthroughs, strong market incentives, and rapid user adoption.
Probability: 25-30%
Base Case Scenario
Measured implementation with incremental improvements
Key Drivers: Balanced regulatory approach, steady technological progress, and selective implementation based on clear ROI.
Probability: 50-60%
Conservative Scenario
Technical and organizational barriers limiting effective adoption
Key Drivers: Restrictive regulations, technical limitations, implementation challenges, and risk-averse organizational cultures.
Probability: 15-20%
Scenario Comparison Matrix
| Factor | Optimistic | Base Case | Conservative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implementation Timeline | Accelerated | Steady | Delayed |
| Market Adoption | Widespread | Selective | Limited |
| Technology Evolution | Rapid | Progressive | Incremental |
| Regulatory Environment | Supportive | Balanced | Restrictive |
| Business Impact | Transformative | Significant | Modest |
Transformational Impact
Technology becoming increasingly embedded in all aspects of business operations. This evolution will necessitate significant changes in organizational structures, talent development, and strategic planning processes.
The convergence of multiple technological trends—including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and ubiquitous connectivity—will create both unprecedented security challenges and innovative defensive capabilities.
Implementation Challenges
Technical complexity and organizational readiness remain key challenges. Organizations will need to develop comprehensive change management strategies to successfully navigate these transitions.
Regulatory uncertainty, particularly around emerging technologies like AI in security applications, will require flexible security architectures that can adapt to evolving compliance requirements.
Key Innovations to Watch
Artificial intelligence, distributed systems, and automation technologies leading innovation. Organizations should monitor these developments closely to maintain competitive advantages and effective security postures.
Strategic investments in research partnerships, technology pilots, and talent development will position forward-thinking organizations to leverage these innovations early in their development cycle.
Technical Glossary
Key technical terms and definitions to help understand the technologies discussed in this article.
Understanding the following technical concepts is essential for grasping the full implications of the security threats and defensive measures discussed in this article. These definitions provide context for both technical and non-technical readers.
hybrid intermediate
electric vehicle intermediate
adaptive cruise control intermediate
platform intermediate
vehicle dynamics control intermediate
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