The Subaru Forester has retained its unique position as a small and capable SUV in a sea of rivals. Adding to its functionality this year is the introduction of an all-new hybrid powertrain system, a first for the north American market by the Japanese manufacturer.
Combined with its long-standing 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder Boxer engine, the Forester delivers 194 horsepower (14 more than its gasoline only model), but not as powerful as key rivals.
Fuel economy is a bright spot returning 35 combined miles per gallon compared to 29 for the non-hybrid version. That translates to 581 miles for each 16.6-gallon tankful of regular.
Front and rear fascia sees a restyled look for 2025 with new badging on quarter panels but the Forester retains its long-standing look and personality.
Subaru’s are known for their all-wheel drive systems that improve performance in northern climates where snow, ice and muddy conditions prevail.
Our Daybreak Blue Pearl hybrid tester returned a dismal zero to 60 mile per hour time of 8.6 seconds, slightly better than the gasoline model but below hybrid rivals’ Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson – all less expensive.
Forester hybrid trim levels include Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring with base prices ranging from $36,595 to $43,295.
Ground clearance of 8.7 inches has always been a strong point for the Forester as it handles mild off-roading better than rivals and this new hybrid model makes off-roading a fun experience.
Every Forester Hybrid includes Active Torque Vectoring, Vehicle Dynamics Control and Hill Descent Control making it feel at home on bunny hills, muddy trails, sand and gravel.
While the Hybrid is slightly quicker than its gasoline version, we wouldn’t place it in a sport category. The ride is smoothed out thanks to a new retuned suspension system that glides over road imperfections similar to the Tucson or CR-V.
The Hybrid is also quieter off the line or while merging onto freeway ramps. Being all-wheel, the Hybrid positions front and rear electric motor generators with a high-capacity lithium-ion battery.
No external charging is needed since the Hybrid self-charges while driving, unlike expensive electric cars needing pricey charges along the route.
All Hybrid trims include a new digital gauge cluster not found in the non-Hybrid Forester. Gear selection is traditional as opposed to push-button, dial or tiny stalk lever found in some competitors.
Its dated infotainment system carries over this year with an 11.6-inch rectangular style touchscreen. We found it is crowded with a plethora of somewhat clumsy adjustments.
Driver assist features are among the best we’ve seen with blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist, automatic emergency braking and reverse automatic braking along with adaptive cruise control.
Emergency stop assist is now standard if the driver doesn’t respond to warnings. The system also activates hazard lights, unlocks the doors and calls emergency services.
The Hybrid Forester is a bright spot in this segment and its reliability over the years is a good reason to compare it to other small SUVs before making your buying decision.