• by Tanya Gazdik , Staff Writer, April 7, 2025

Editor's Note: This story ran in a previous edition.

Subaru is finally offering a hybrid engine for its beloved Forester SUV, which makes a good thing even better. 

What hasn’t changed is the go-anywhere spirit of the Forester. What’s new is greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions.  A full tank of gas (16.6 gallons) will offer a range of up to 581 miles and up to 40% better city fuel economy than conventional models. The estimated fuel economy is 35 city and 34 mpg highway for 35 mpg combined.

Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is combined with increased horsepower and torque for improved all-weather capability. The hybrid offers 194 hp, up from 180 hp on the standard engine. It might not sound like much, but it is noticeable, particularly on highway merges.

Does this new hybrid feel like a sports car or a battery electric vehicle?  Of course not. 

Will Subaru’s current owners and prospects be happy with this amount of pep under the hood?  Absolutely. 

I recently got the chance to drive it in some variable weather and road conditions, and was pleasantly surprised at how grounded the vehicle felt, particularly around corners. It also handled a fairly rigorous off-road course like a champ, getting up hills that the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 could not conquer … for the most part. 

My co-driver — who is a very experienced off-road driver — was the only journalists of our group able to get the RAV4 up that first big hill. Everyone else got 3/4 of the way up and then slid slowly back down. Like the commercials tell you, don’t attempt this at home.

And if you do enjoy off-roading, it’s noteworthy that the battery for the hybrid is under the floor boards in the rear cargo area, resulting in no spare tire or donut for this vehicle, just a tire repair kit. So drive carefully! 

The interior is clean, and I love that high-durability, animal-free StarTex interiors are now available in select trim levels. For a company that beats the drum about being pro-environment and animal-friendly, this is a welcome change. 

Controls are intuitive. The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with navigation and Apple Maps compatibility is offered in addition to a Subaru 11.6-inch Multimedia Navigation system. The 11.6-inch high-resolution touchscreen is equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (thank the heavens).

The multimedia system also works as a central information display, with combination meter integration and on-screen controls for audio, climate and vehicle functions. Additional features include Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity; AM/FM stereo; rear vision camera; SiriusXM All-Access Radio and SiriusXM Travel Link (4-month free Platinum Plan); HD Radio; and over-the-air updates.

When pricing was announced back in February, it was before tariffs. At that point, the Subaru Forester hybrid — which is currently arriving at dealerships — started at $36,415, including destination and delivery. 

But the vehicle is currently assembled in Japan using nearly all (85%) Japanese parts, and that price could soon experience a large bump, depending on how much of the 25% tariff the manufacturer and dealers pass on to consumers. Beginning later this year, Forester production for the 2026 model year will move to Lafayette, Indiana, as previously announced in 2024. 

The company told its dealers on March 28 that it is pausing its "acceptance of sold orders" and would not change the price of any vehicle in the pipeline that has not been delivered through April 11. The automaker will hold a call with retailers on that date, according to the memo from Lisa Quan, Subaru’s vice president of vehicle planning and logistics. A Subaru spokesperson said the company is still selling new cars.