Subaru has finally brought its Forester Hybrid to the US market, after years of availability in other countries. Set to arrive at dealerships this spring, the hybrid version starts at $34,995 and promises significantly improved fuel economy. Alongside the hybrid, Subaru also officially revealed the Forester Wilderness, an off-road-focused trim that had been previously leaked. The Wilderness edition will be available later this fall.
The Forester Hybrid appears to be a solid upgrade at a competitive price. It combines a 2.5-liter flat-four engine with a small 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery and an electric motor, resulting in a combined output of 194 horsepower. While this isn’t a huge jump from the standard Forester’s 180 hp, and the added weight of the battery could potentially impact acceleration, performance has never been the Forester’s primary focus. A Lineartronic CVT remains the sole transmission option, and all-wheel drive is standard.
The real advantage of the hybrid model is its fuel efficiency. Subaru projects ratings of 35 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined. This represents a substantial improvement over the non-hybrid Forester’s 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined—a roughly 40% increase in city driving and a 25% increase on the highway. This increased efficiency comes at a reasonable cost.
The base Forester Hybrid starts at $36,415 (including destination). This trim level includes features like 18-inch wheels, an 11.6-inch infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, and integrated navigation. Four trim levels are available, culminating in the Touring trim at $43,115. The Touring version boasts 19-inch wheels, a premium audio system, and exclusive two-tone paint options.
Subaru also officially unveiled the Forester Wilderness. Designed for off-road enthusiasts, the Wilderness features 9.3 inches of ground clearance, 17-inch wheels, and all-terrain tires. While the ground clearance increase from the standard model’s 9.2 inches is minimal, a new transmission cooler significantly boosts towing capacity to 3,500 pounds. Subaru also mentions a “rear differential temperature sensor” for added confidence during off-road adventures, allowing drivers to monitor and manage differential temperature.
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid
The Forester Wilderness will continue to use the same 180-hp engine and will be available exclusively with a CVT. Pricing for the Wilderness edition has not yet been announced, but it is expected to hit dealerships this fall.
Subaru Forester Wilderness
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