Subaru has been slow to join the hybrid crowd in the U.S., but that’s changing with the 2025 Forester Hybrid. It’s not just about better gas mileage — Subaru attempts to rethink what makes a Forester a Forester, this time with an eye toward efficiency.

It’s a Hybrid, But It’s Still Very Much a Subaru

The big news is under the hood. The 2025 Forester Hybrid uses a 2.0-liter flat-four engine paired with an electric motor built into a CVT (continuously variable transmission). The result: 196 horsepower. That may not sound thrilling, but it’s right in line with the competition and noticeably smoother and quicker than older Subaru drivetrains.

All-wheel drive, of course, is still standard — this time working together with the electric motor to help the car grip better in bad weather and even coast silently at low speeds in traffic or tight parking lots.

Finally, Fuel Economy That Competes

For years, Subaru lagged behind Toyota and Honda when it came to hybrids. Now, that gap is closing. The 2025 Forester Hybrid gets an estimated 39 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 37 mpg combined — a solid bump from the gas-only model and enough to put it in the same ballpark as the RAV4 Hybrid.

Those are real gains, and they come without sacrificing the tall stance, roomy cabin, or cargo space people buy Foresters for in the first place.

Tech and Interior: Smarter, Nicer, More Useful

This isn’t just a hybrid swap with the same old cabin. Subaru gave the Forester a solid tech refresh, including a crisp 12.3-inch touchscreen (standard on all but the base trim), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and faster, smoother menus.

Inside, materials are a bit softer, the seats are more supportive, and there’s green stitching to set the hybrid apart. You’ll also get a real-time EV info display that shows you what the hybrid system is up to.

How It Drives: Smooth, Confident, and a Bit More Peppy

Even with a hybrid battery on board, the Forester still drives like you’d expect — balanced, comfortable, and easy to live with. The extra weight is handled well, and the lower center of gravity helps it feel more planted in corners.

Regenerative braking—which usually feels weird in hybrids—has been improved to feel natural here. Thanks to the electric motor, the Forester feels a bit snappier in city driving, especially from a stop.

Same Practicality, Now With Better Mileage

Subaru didn’t mess with the things that make the Forester a favorite. Cargo space? Still generous at 28.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 74.4 with the seats down. Visibility? Still great thanks to the big windows and upright seating. Ground clearance? It's still 8.7 inches, with plenty of room for adventure gear on the roof.

The hybrid setup fits in without eating into space or capability — a big win for anyone worried about losing that classic Forester practicality.

Safety Tech: Better All-Around

Subaru’s EyeSight system gets another upgrade this year. The new version uses a wider-angle camera to better spot pedestrians and cyclists, and adaptive cruise control is smoother in traffic. Features like blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking are standard on most trims.

Top trims get a 360-degree camera, digital rearview mirror, and a smarter driver attention system.

Bottom Line: The Hybrid Forester That Subaru Fans Have Been Waiting For

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid doesn’t feel like a checkbox project or a rushed add-on. It feels like Subaru finally figured out how to make a Forester that uses less fuel without losing what people love about it.

It’s not flashy. It’s not revolutionary. But it’s a better Forester — and for a lot of longtime Subaru drivers, that’s exactly the kind of hybrid they’ve been waiting for.