2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Review

Subaru is best known for making vehicles that can handle rough terrain as competently as it can the rigours of daily commuting.

It’s one of the best reasons to shop for a crossover like the Forester instead of the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4, both of which are understandably popular but not nearly as adept in challenging conditions.

While many offerings in this ultra-competitive class offer fuel-efficient hybrid powertrains, Subaru hasn’t — until now. The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid changes that with the introduction of a new gas-electric setup that borrows from a familiar source.

Styling 7 / 10

The design of the new Forester that was introduced last year has been softened, with neater lines and a more upscale appearance. Even then, there’s still plenty of body-cladding to satisfy hardcore Subie fans. With its upright profile, low beltline, and large greenhouse, the Forester still looks like the model that debuted in 1997.

Inside, there’s more soft-touch materials than before, especially when you step up to the hybrid, which is the most expensive trim on offer. My tester’s combination of brown leather and microsuede on the seats and door panels was especially nice. (It’s also available with black upholstery.)

Power 6 / 10

With a net output of 194 hp from a 2.5L horizontally-opposed four-cylinder and a couple small electric motors embedded in the automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT), the Forester Hybrid isn’t as powerful as its rivals. It makes 14 hp more than the gas-only Forester, and most of it is cancelled out by the increased mass of the hybrid’s extra hardware.

On the subject of that stuff, it comes from Toyota — or at least some of it does. Unlike Mazda, which borrowed every bit of the gas-electric powertrain Toyota has been using for years to build its CX-50 Hybrid, the Forester Hybrid pairs electric components including a 1.1-kWh battery with its own gas engine. The Forester hybrid isn’t slow; its instant electric torque provides a nice torque boost from a stop, but passing power on the highway isn’t its greatest strength.

Fuel Economy 7.5 / 10

Subaru claims the Forester Hybrid is as much as 40 per cent more efficient than the regular one. This test week saw it turn in an indicated average of 7.5 L/100 km, which is better than any Subaru in recent memory, including the smaller Crosstrek.

According to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the Forester Hybrid should get 6.9 L/100 km in combined conditions versus 8.3 for the non-hybrid. Both the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V Hybrid fare better here, with the former rated at as little as 5.4 L/100 combined.

Driving Feel 7.5 / 10

The Forester has responsive steering that offers more feel than it needs to for a compact crossover. Subarus are generally enjoyable to drive, and the new Forester is no exception. With its supple suspension and generous ground clearance and full-time all-wheel drive, another exception compared to most other crossovers out there, hybrid or otherwise, the Forester also excels when it comes to ride quality, soaking up even the worst roads with little issue.

Features 8 / 10

The Forester Premier trim features some of the newest bells and whistles in the Subaru lineup, including hand gesture controls to lower and raise the cabin temperature. It’s kind of fun at first, although it’s little more than a gimmick — especially since using the physical buttons to adjust the temperature is always going to be easier.

It also has an excellent 11-speaker stereo, an 11.6-inch touchscreen, and the brand’s first use of a fully digital instrument display. There are also paddle shifters behind the steering wheel for adjusting the level of regenerative braking, which can help recharge the battery when slowing to a stop.

User-Friendliness 9 / 10

The Forester uses a large centre touchscreen for most functions, including the climate control, but there are also some physical controls, including for cabin temperature and audio. Bonus points get awarded here for Subaru sticking with an easy-to-use traditional P-R-N-D gear selector.

Folding the rear seats requires just the pull of a small switch before they collapse instantly, leaving a flat loading floor. There’s a button to force it into electric mode at low speeds, but the Forester is refreshingly absent of other drive modes and hybrid settings.

Comfort 8 / 10

The Forester Hybrid has a very comfortable ride made better by great seats for the driver and passenger that are both heated and ventilated. The rear seats are also comfortable, and there’s ample space for two adults, although not quite as much as you get in the CR-V.

Practicality 7 / 10

The Forester Hybrid is roomy enough for small families, with a priority on passenger space over cargo. With 779 L behind the rear seats, there’s still enough room for large suitcases, strollers or groceries, but it’s still significantly less than the CR-V (1,028 L) and the RAV4 (1,059 L), although the latter has its battery pack under the rear seat instead of the cargo floor like this Forester.

Safety 9 / 10

The Forester Hybrid comes with Subaru’s driver-assistance and safety suite, including features like automatic emergency braking, steering, and adaptive cruise control. It earned the Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) — the second-highest the agency awards.

Value 7.5 / 10

To get the new hybrid powertrain you have to step up to the top trim, and that means shelling out more than $50,000 for a Forester. While that’s in line with the Honda CR-V TrailSport Hybrid that has less stuff for a similar asking price, others are more affordable. However, not one of the Forester’s competitors can boast the same balance between on-road comfort and off-road capability. Its mechanical all-wheel drive system is a hallmark of the brand and well worth it when it comes to choosing a vehicle capable of handling an errant snowsquall or rough cottage access road.

The Verdict

For the brand’s long-time fans, the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid finally adds an efficient powertrain to take on its rivals. But then it would be nice to see the hybrid made available with more affordable trims to make it more accessible considering the heightened demand for these fuel-efficient powertrains. Even so, the best part about the Forester Hybrid is that it loses none of its capability and durability off-road, and it remains one of the best choices in the segment for those who want to balance comfort, utility, and now efficiency, too.