The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid was first announced at the 2023 LA Auto Show, and now it’s finally out. It’s the newest competitor in an expanding field of hybrid compact crossovers that includes the hybrid versions of the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Kia Sportage. Although GM doesn’t have any hybrids in this space, the Forester Hybrid is a more efficient rival to the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain.
The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid isn’t much more than a regular Forester with a hybrid powertrain, which is likely what Subaru loyalists are looking for. It retains standard all-wheel drive, an 8.3-inch ground clearance, and even a similar horsepower rating as the non-hybrid Forester. A 2.5L boxer engine is at the heart of its hybrid powertrain, which has a net output of 194 horsepower. The series hybrid system allows the gas engine, the electric motor, or both to power the wheels.
The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earns an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 35 city/34 highway/35 combined mpg. Compared to competing hybrids with AWD, it’s as efficient as the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid but less efficient than rivals from Toyota, Honda, and Kia.
Four trims are available: Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring. This largely mirrors the model range of the non-hybrid, but the standard Forester also has an eponymous base trim and a rugged Wilderness model.
The 2025 Subaru Forester has a starting price of $36,415, and the top Touring trim begins at $43,115. That pricing is about average for a hybrid compact crossover with all-wheel drive. It will arrive in dealers this Spring.
It’s hard to say when we can expect a more direct GM rival with its own hybrid powertrain. GM hasn’t announced any plans for a conventional hybrid compact crossover in the U.S., and we’re still waiting to hear more about what’s next for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) from The General. A PHEV version of the Chevy Equinox is available in China, but it’s not bound for the States.
However, it’s notable that the 2025 Chevy Equinox EV actually has a slightly lower starting price than the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid, with or without any tax credits. The Equinox EV doesn’t have standard AWD like the Subaru, but it certainly has lower fuel costs.
Comments
And of course General Mediocrity can’t compete with its gas guzzling, underpowered and unreliable Equinox and Terrain junkmobiles.
Actually, JDPower rates the Equinox and Terrain as the 2 most reliable in class. However, I can’t argue with your “gas guzzling” comment. Compared to all the hybrids available today, GM has nothing… absolutely nothing to compete.
JDpower lmfao 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
How much did GM pay for that *rating*
Someone stealing TMI’s name now, jesus there are some sad petty people out there. The GM twins have good reliability ratings, have reviewed well in their tests and just note adequate power in their engines. A hybrid is coming though, don’t fret. There is a reason GM is outperforming most and Subaru in this case. Nice try, next time try growing up before posting…
so ugly so it indeed competes nose to nose with GM,, BMW,,, Mercedes Audi and so on
How can Equinox and Terrain possibly rival this Subaru hybrid? It’s a hybrid!
GM left in the dust again with no hybrid.
Don’t get your panties in a bunch, they are coming…
I’ll believe it when I see it.
I certainly hope so. The Chevy Equinox Plus PHEV was launched back in April 2024 and has been selling well in China. Bring the damn car to the US or bring the technology here!
Is this Subaru a car for 2025????? It looks like a car from 80’s ….omg.