2025 Subaru Forester hybrid's 35 mpg impresses despite pesky electronics
The Forester is Subaru's second hybrid, following the subcompact Crosstrek. Expect the efficient drivetrain to proliferate across the automaker's lineup.
In dealerships now, the Forester hybrid also has more power than the gasoline model, which also is on sale now. The Forester is new for 2025. Prices start at $29,995. Hybrids start at $36,595.
I tested a nicely equipped Forester Sport hybrid that stickered at $39,595. All prices exclude $1,430 destination charges and tariffs.
More: 2026 Toyota RAV4 goes all-hybrid as automaker warns tariffs threaten new-car affordability
More: 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport hybrid: Mostly show, just enough go
Subaru Forester trim levels and prices
Base model: $29,995
Premium: $33,385
Sport: $36,105
Wilderness: $36,285
Premium hybrid: $36,595
Sport hybrid: $39,595
Limited hybrid : $41,010
Touring: $41,595
Touring hybrid: $43,295
Source: Edmunds. Prices exclude $1,420 destination charge and tariffs.
Tough competition
The Forester is Subaru's top-selling model, with 95,972 sales ― up 3.4% ― so far this year. It's one of the brand's cornerstones, alongside the subcompact Crosstrek ― 90,334 YTD ― and compact Outback ― 73, 257, and about to be replaced by a new model.
The five-passenger Forester competes with compact SUVs like the Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4 and VW Tiguan.
It's a crowded class full of excellent vehicles. The Forester's 183.3-inch length is a 6.8-inch improvement from the '24 models. The 2025's length is typical of the class.
The Forester's styling hews close to the upright, conservative look that has made the SUV popular for years and helps differentiate it from Subaru's larger Outback.
Key features of 2025 Subaru Forester
Available hybrid model
New 2.5L boxer engine
Standard all-wheel drive
11.6-inch touch screen
8.7 inches of ground clearance
Driving impressions
The Forester hybrid gets 194 hp from its combination of a 2.5L four-cylinder engine and electric motor. That's up from 180 on the gasoline Forester. Subaru doesn't provide a figure for combined torque, but the hybrid's acceleration is adequate for city and highway driving.
The all-wheel drive system's features includes a faster acting center differential for torque distribution, right-to-left torque vectoring and hill descent control.
The EPA rates the Forester hybrid at 34 mpg in the city, 35 on the highway and 35 combined. Thanks to a 16.6-gallon gas tank, Subaru claims the Forest hybrid can go 581 miles on a tank, topping hybrid versions of the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson by 15 to 63 miles.
The Forester hybrid can tow up to 1,500 pounds.
What could be better?
Several of the Forester's electronic systems could use refinement.
Voice recognition was inconsistent and several people I called commented on poor quality.
The 11.6-inch, portrait orientation touch screen had a cluttered home screen. On the bright side, primary climate controls ― airflow, fan speed, seats ― are permanently in place at the bottom of the screen. A handful of physical switches ― the only existing ones are volume, tuning and temperature ― might help. Or a bigger screen with less blank plastic trim around it.
The steering wheel alert repeatedly told me to put my hands on the wheel when they already were.
Why buy a 2025 Subaru Forester hybrid?
The Forester hybrid improves a model that was already a favorite with buyers. The improved fuel economy ― 21% versus a gasoline-power Forester ― will save owners about $250 a year, according to EPA figures. That's at current prices, and if there's anything we should know by now, it's that gas prices go up over time.
Factor in more power and the traditional Subaru values of standard all-wheel drive and advanced safety features and the 2025 Forester should find welcome buyers, unless tariffs raise prices severely.
2025 Subaru Forester hybrid at a glance
All-wheel drive five-seat compact hybrid SUV
Seats five
Base price: $36,595
On sale now
Model tested: Sport hybrid
Price as tested: $39,595
Power: 2.5L horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine, electric motor
Total system output: 190 horsepower
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Wheelbase: 105.1 inches
Length: 183.3 inches
Width: 72 inches
Height: 68.1 inches
Ground clearance: 8.7 inches
Passenger volume: 106.6 cubic feet
Cargo volume: 27.5 cubic feet behind rear seat, 69.1 behind front seat
Curb weight: 3,913 pounds
Towing capacity: 1,500 pounds
Assembled in Gunma, Japan
Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pesky electronics undermine 2025 Subaru Forester hybrid's appeal
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
2026 Subaru Uncharted EV: 338 HP, 300 Miles Range, Tesla Charging
2026 Subaru Uncharted EV: 338 HP, 300 Miles Range, Tesla Charging | Full Details originally appeared on Autoblog. Subaru Unveils Third Battery-Electric Vehicle While it was slow to enter the EV market, Subaru has tonight introduced its third all-electric model, the 2026 Subaru Uncharted, designed to take you just about anywhere you might imagine wanting to go. Depending upon the trim package a buyer might opt for, the electric SUV can deliver up to 300 miles of range while mustering up as much as 338 horsepower from twin electric motors capable of launching Uncharted from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds. It also promises significantly faster charging than Subaru's original Solterra EV. Spring 2026 Launch for Subaru's Third EV The 2026 Subaru Uncharted will roll into U.S. showrooms in Spring 2026, said spokesman Dominick Infante, marking the brand's third battery-electric vehicle. Its first, the Solterra, launched in the 2023 model year. Its subsequent offering, the Subaru Trailseeker, debuted at the New York Auto Show in April and is scheduled to go on sale early next year, as using the same basic architecture as the original Solterra, Uncharted has been shortened by almost 7 inches – though it offers 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Underscoring its around-town maneuverability, meanwhile, Subaru noted that the new EV has a turning radius almost identical to the compact, gas-powered Crosstrek. Toyota Partnership Continues with Better Differentiation Like the original Subaru Solterra, Uncharted emerged from Subaru's joint venture with Toyota – the same partnership that produced the virtually identical bZ4X. Both the Solterra and Toyota's now-renamed bZ are receiving significant mid-cycle updates for 2026. The two automakers continued working closely on the new EV, with Toyota set to bring out its version as the C-HR. While it's a 'close collaboration,' said Infante, each automaker focused on design and engineering elements they're best known for. In Subaru's case that included the new EV's Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system. But one of the key goals was to better differentiate the Subaru and Toyota models. The two automakers took heat for the fact that it was visually difficult to tell Solterra and bZ apart, other than their badges. Three Trim Levels with Up to 338 Horsepower Subaru will offer the 2026 Uncharted in three trim packages: Premium FWD, Sport, and GT, with a twin-motor drivetrain 'on most' packages. All will feature a 74.7-kWh, high-capacity lithium-ion battery. The base package, the Premium FWD, 'will be offered in limited numbers,' according to a Subaru press release. Its single, front-mounted motor will turn out 221 horsepower and will deliver an estimated range of 'more than 300 miles' per charge. Sport and GT packages will add a second motor on the rear axle bumping output up to 338 horsepower – though sacrificing some range which Subaru estimates at 290 miles. With a sub-5-second 0-60 mph time, Subaru's new EV will be about a second quicker than Toyota's version, even though both make the same horsepower on paper. Both Uncharted Sport and GT will feature an electric version of the familiar Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive with X-Mode. The latter is a feature designed to more precisely deliver torque where needed in low-speed situations, such as snow and ice or while heading off-road. Tesla Supercharger Access with 30-Minute Fast Charging With the launch of the 2026 Uncharted, Subaru finishes migrating to the Tesla-based NACS – or North American Charging System – port. That will permit it to plug into the increasingly ubiquitous Tesla Supercharger network, with more than 15,000 stations across North America. One of the benefits of the Subaru/Toyota partnership is that both of their new EVs will feature a battery preconditioning system designed to get their battery packs to the optimum temperature when it comes time to plug back in. Subaru claims Uncharted will be able to go from a 10 to 80% state-of-charge in as little as 30 minutes – though that will depend on the amount of current a public DC quick charger can provide. All versions of the Subaru Uncharted will feature a built-in 11 kW charger for accessing a 240-volt home circuit. Expect to stay plugged in overnight. More Distinctive Styling Than Previous Toyota Partnership Subaru's latest EV varies a bit more from its Toyota cousin than the original Solterra/bZ4X did. Uncharted picks up the brand's distinctive front and rear lighting signature, as seen on the new Trailseeker and updated Solterra, including an illuminated front logo. All-wheel-drive models get low-profile roof rails to make it easier to carry extra gear. A two-tone roof is optional on the Uncharted GT. Tires and wheels are offered in 18- and 20-inch options. The interior is closer in design to the C-HR, the instrument panels on both dominated by 14-inch touchscreen displays. But there are some welcome differences, starting with Subaru's use of StarTex material on GT and Sport trims. All versions feature distinctive orange design accents, and plenty of soft-touch materials. Standard Wireless CarPlay and EyeSight Safety Features Wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as are dual wireless smartphone chargers built into the front center console. There are dual USB-C chargers in the rear. A basic version of the Subaru EyeSight driver assistance system is standard across the board, though you'll have to upgrade for features like Blind Sport Monitor and Active Cruise Control. Specific trims add features like Traffic Jam Assist and a panoramic view monitor. All trims get the All-Weather Package, including heated front seats and exterior mirrors and windshield wiper de-icing, a power tailgate and interior ambient lighting. Japan Production with Spring 2026 U.S. Arrival The 2026 Subaru Uncharted will be produced in Japan and should start rolling into U.S. showrooms by next spring. The automaker has yet to announce pricing, though it is expected to come in below that of the larger Subaru Solterra which ranges from $39,915 to $46,915. Unfortunately, the federal tax credits offered U.S. EV buyers will expire in September 2025. Meanwhile, new Trump tariffs on imported autos could push up the cost of all of the 2026 Subaru EVs. 2026 Subaru Uncharted EV: 338 HP, 300 Miles Range, Tesla Charging | Full Details first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 17, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Motor 1
6 hours ago
- Motor 1
The Toyota GR86 Hakone Is for the Purist on a Budget: Video Review
The Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ have an annoying shadow. To some enthusiasts–read: The Internet–it's underpowered, cheap-feeling, and not enough car to be considered a sports car. Its boxer engine inspires no passion within the hearts of drivers, while its McPherson strut front suspension is inferior to that of the Mazda Miata. To many, the Subaru-based sports car twins are simply not enough. Every single one of those people is wrong. I owned a 2023 BRZ for 16 months and found it to be one of the most pleasurable ownership experiences I've ever had. And in asking for the new, lightly updated 2025 GR86 Hakone, I wanted to see how one of the only true sports cars on the market has evolved since my ownership. The Hakone gets the typical Performance Pack upgrades: Brembo big brakes all around, and Sachs dampers on all four corners versus the BRZ tS' front Hitachi units. While there are no powertrain upgrades, it does get a stunning colorway of Ridge Green, gold wheels, and tan interior accents. Completing the effect are a steering and throttle recalibration, which all 2025 GR86s get. For our latest YouTube video, I took a close look at how the world around the GR86 has changed since its debut in 2022, and evaluated Toyota's updates versus the first versions of the car. The GR86 might be the most balanced sports car experience you can buy new. To find out the reasons why, you'll just have to watch the video above. More on the GR86 The 2026 Toyota GR86 Yuzu Edition Has Scion Vibes Toyota Built the AWD GR86 Rally Car of Our Dreams Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Hamilton Spectator
6 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Do you want one? This Toyota GR86 is one in a million — literally
Want some bragging rights? Only 30 of these 2025 Toyota GR86 Hakone Editions are coming to Canada. Some of them may end up as garage queens, never seeing the light of day. With around 25 million registered motor vehicles on our roads, that means that about one in every million cars on the road will be a Hakone GR86. That's pretty exclusive. What's a Hakone you ask? It is a 15-kilometre long scenic toll turnpike with views of Mount Fuji in Japan, loved by local automobile and motorcycle enthusiasts. Its twists and turns ascend more than 1,000 metres up to the Daikanzan Observation Deck which acts as a meeting place. This special stretch of tarmac is used by Japanese manufacturers to test their vehicles' handling and performance dynamics. It is sometimes referred to as Japan's Nürburgring. European manufacturers use the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife race track in Germany to test their vehicles. The last time Toyota offered a Hakone 86, as it was called then, was in 2020 when 30 of them also arrived on our shores. What makes this Hakone different from other 2025 GR86s? It is available exclusively in this new Ridge Green exterior with bronze wheels. The result is striking. These 18-inch rims are wrapped in very sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4 215/40R18 tires. Lurking behind those bronze wheels are big, red Brembo brakes that not only make it look track-worthy, they improve braking performance with their larger-diameter rotors. The Performance Pack also adds Sachs dampers, which improve this car's handling characteristics. Adding to the Hakone's unique exterior is the large and purposeful-looking rear duckbill spoiler. You get a Hakone Edition rear deck lid badge with a silhouette of the GR86 in front of Mount Fuji. Inside the driver's door is another badge indicating that this is a Toyota Gazoo Racing (the 'GR' in GR86) Hakone Edition, limited to 30 units produced in 2025. As you walk towards this pretty little two-seater, you hope and assume that you are about to embark on a fun, engaging and entertaining drive. Does this lightweight sports car deliver? It does … in a very back-to-basics kind of way. This car weighs just 2,800 pounds (1,270 kg). Its 2.4-litre, naturally aspirated Subaru boxer engine generates 228 horsepower. All Toyota GR86s and Subaru BRZs are built by Subaru in their Gunma Plant in Japan. The Hakone GR86's coming to Canada are only available with a fun-to-use, short-throw, six-speed manual transmission. Get your gear changes right and you can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in around six seconds. It feels quicker than that because this is such a small car and you are so aware of what's going on around you. On the highway, you really feel dwarfed by those big SUVs and massive tractor-trailers. Getting into this stylish interior requires more effort than getting into your family minivan. Everything about this car, including its centre of gravity, is low to the ground. Nestle into these snug leather and Alcantara front seats, with tan and bronze sticking, and everything is within easy reach. It does have back seats, but you'd have to be pretty tiny to be able to fit in them. Fold them down and you get a decent amount of cargo space. I bought the first generation 86 in 2013 because Jeremy Clarkson, then of 'Top Gear' fame, named it his 2012 car of the year. Back then it was called the GT86, except in North America where it was badged the Scion FR-S (which stood for Front-engine, Rear-wheel-drive, Sport). Since its launch a dozen years ago it has become a favourite among driving enthusiasts. That's because this car is very rewarding to drive. Especially these second generation cars, which came out in 2022. They received a 20-per-cent increase in engine displacement, an 11-per-cent increase in horsepower and an 18-per-cent increase in torque over the first gen. cars. I had a chance to drive a GR86 on a race track and it was a blast. Because these cars don't have a lot of power, the level of danger is somewhat reduced. You have to try to not scrub off too much speed in the corners. You really get to hone your momentum driving skills. As rewarding as these cars are to drive on the road, the experience is that much better when you get into a rhythm on a race track. The handling, braking, flat-four boxer engine and six-speed manual transmission all harmonize to provide a thoroughly engaging and rewarding driving. The GR86 is proof that you don't have to spend a fortune and have gobs of horsepower to have fun. This relatively affordable enthusiast coupe provides plenty of performance driving pleasure. Type: Two-door, rear-wheel drive, sports car Engine: Naturally aspirated, 2.4-litre, horizontally-opposed (boxer), 4-cylinder engine, 228 horsepower and 184 pounds-feet of torque (motive force) Transmission: Six speed manual Fuel: 12.0 litres/100 km in the city; 8.9l/100 km on the highway; 10.6l/100 km combined Cargo: 178 litres, with the rear seats up Price: $38,710 (excludes freight, other fees, taxes)
