Latest news with #SubaruForesterHybrid
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Ford Maverick, Other Trucks See Price Hikes as Tariffs Raise Auto Costs Nationwide
That "Buy American" sticker? It's costing you more than patriotism. The scene: You're eyeing a Ford Maverick, imagining weekend road trips, when the dealer slides over a quote. The price? $8,641 higher than last year's model. Suddenly, your practical truck feels like a fiscal hostage. Welcome to the era where tariffs transform workhorses into white elephants-and Washington's trade wars roll up in your driveway. Let's cut through the exhaust fumes. Trump's 25% tariffs on Chinese auto parts aren't just policy-they're a masterclass in economic jiujitsu. That Subaru Forester Hybrid you've been eyeing? Its price tag ballooned by $4,000 overnight, not because of inflation, but geopolitical theater. Detroit's Big Three will pocket $42 billion in tariff costs by 2025, but here's the kicker: You're funding 90% of it through padded MSRPs. This is gaslighting with a V8 engine. Ford's F-150-that titan of truck commercials-runs on a Mexican alternator, Canadian half-shafts, and Korean tires. Only 32% of its components are U.S.-sourced, yet it sidesteps tariffs via NAFTA's "substantial transformation" loopholes. Translation: Assemble a global parts bin in Michigan, slap on a Stars-and-Stripes decal, and charge a $2,055 "market adjustment" because freedom isn't free. Meanwhile, GM's Texas-built Escalade sources aluminum tied to Xinjiang's Uyghur forced labor camps. Your armrest? A $100K tribute to oppression and corporate amnesia. Meet the real winners: dealerships. When Ram's "Born in Michigan" ads play, they omit that heavy-duty models roll off Saltillo, Mexico lines-a plant churning out 250,000 units annually. Yet dealers markup these trucks by $1,150 overnight, exploiting your red-white-and-blue reflex. It's not supply and demand. This is psychological warfare with a 72-month financing plan. Amidst the markup madness, here's your lifeline: Go electric. While GM axed the $30K Chevy Bolt to focus on luxury behemoths, Tesla's Model Y persists as a tariff-proof anomaly. Its battery? 50% cheaper per kWh than 2019, with no hidden "patriotism tax." Hyundai's Ioniq 5 offers 303-mile range and wireless CarPlay-a tech suite that laughs at Detroit's dated infotainment. Pro tip: Lease. Let the tariffs depreciate on someone else's driveway. Tariffs are the new dealer add-ons-unavoidable, infuriating, and dressed in patriotic veneer. Every overpriced SUV is a referendum on what we value. Do we bankroll boardroom greed masked as nationalism? Or demand transparency with our wallets? Amazon was on the money, no pun intended, with wanting to put the "tariff burden" on the receipt. What about the true value of those tariffs on the sticker price? Your move, America. That extra 8 grand on your F-150 has a cause. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Gets Genuine Off-Roadability
Subaru adds a hybrid drivetrain to the Forester SUV, with some shared Toyota hybrid components and its own take on all-wheel drive. The new setup proved quite capable off-road. On-sale now, the Forester Hybrid ranges from $36,045 to $42,495. There are a lot of improvements to the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid, only the third hybrid in the Subaru lineup after the 2014 Crosstrek and 2019 PHEV Crosstrek paved the way for electrified powertrains for the marque. The first and most obvious improvement to the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid is the all-new two-motor/one engine hybrid powertrain shared at least in part with the Toyota RAV4 and other Toyota models. Hybridizing the Forester is good for 14 more peak horsepower, up to 194 hp, while efficiency is up to 35 mpg city, 34 highway, and 35 combined. Together with its standard 2.5-liter internal combustion flat-four, operating on the Atkinson cycle for greater efficiency and making 162 hp, and the two AC synchronous motor-generators making 118 hp, you can now go 581 miles between fill-ups in your Forester. It also gets improved comfort, refinement, and driving dynamics, thanks to greater torsional rigidity and more sound deadening. Its standard all-wheel drive is improved with a new center differential that distributes torque faster as a result of improvements to that unit's electronics. Pretty good for what might not even be a mid-cycle facelift for a model that was all-new just last year. But the most impressive thing about the new Forester Hybrid was that it can actually go off-road a respectable amount. As part of the new crossover's introduction, we took Forester Hybrids to Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area about an hour southeast of San Francisco. This area, one of several throughout the state, is like a gym for your 4x4. There were wild whoop-dee-doos and purpose-built sections of terrain that would require a short-wheelbase Wrangler—or a tank—to get over. We didn't try those sections. This is still a family-haulin' suburban grocery getter, after all, in addition to its other talents. So we goofed around on a few steep dirt hills just so we truly believed in the power of symmetrical AWD, and then off we headed to the highest point in the whole SVRA, a peak called Hector Heights Overlook. Granted, it was mostly graded dirt road, but there were sections with semi-washouts and some steep rocky parts that might give you pause when you thought that this was a basic street vehicle at heart. There were actual Jeep Wranglers on this road we were climbing. In fact, Jeeps were the only other vehicles we saw all day. But the Forester Hybrid's 19-degree approach angle, 19.3-degree departure angle, and 24.6-degree breakover angle—combined with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and the aforementioned all-wheel drive—got us up a mountain we might not have thought a Subaru built for the street could have climbed. When we got to the top, the Wranglers followed, somewhat amazed to see a couple mere Subarus there. 'Do you think you have big enough tires?' a colleague asked them, with just a little good-natured sarcasm. The Jeeper got out, doffed his cap, and gave a curt bow. 'Congratulations,' he said. 'I wouldn't have thought you'd make it.' And yet there we were. On the way down, we utilized Subaru's X-MODE with Hill Descent Control a few times but, this being California, we didn't need Snow or Deep Snow/Mud modes. You can get Yokohama Geolander 235/60R-17 A/T tires on the Wilderness trim level of the Forester Hybrid. That will be a good idea for anyone planning to go off-road at all. Not only will the tread bite into the dirt and mud better, but the more robust construction of the A/T tire will be more resistant to punctures, which you don't want when you are far from AAA coverage. If you're not going off-road, the other Foresters get all-season rubber. The latter will be quieter on pavement. It does have a CVT like so many competitors, including the top-selling Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid. Maybe most people won't notice, but if you do, you'll be longing for the days of the automatics. Regardless of whether you go off road or not, you'll appreciate the new digital gauge cluster and 11.6-inch infotainment control screen. There's even a MySubaru Concierge service that integrates everything from NAV to scheduling service appointments. And you get 69.1 cubic-feet of cargo space with the rear 60/40 seats folded down. Does a Forester Hybrid make good business sense? Ward's Intelligence said that combined sales of hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and battery electric vehicles increased from 19.1% of total new light-duty vehicle sales in the United States in the second quarter of 2024 to 21.2% in Q3. Subaru cited an S&P forecast that said by 2036 electrified vehicles will make up 95% of sales: 58% EVs, 28% PHEVs, and 10% Hybrids. And if you're going to go electric, you might as well be able to go ff-road, too. While you still can. Are you ready for electrification? Let us know below.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Is a Welcome Upgrade
We've bemoaned the refreshed 2025 Subaru Forester for its lack of vitality, but that was before we had a chance to drive something that's never before existed: the Subaru Forester Hybrid. This changes more than you'd think. Yes, there's a bump in fuel economy: from 28 mpg combined (with 19-inch wheels) or 29 mpg (with 17- or 18-inchers) for the regular Forester to 35 mpg combined for the hybrid. And for some people that'd be enough. Power still doesn't crack the 200-hp threshold, but it's now closer at 194 horsepower. Compare that to the 180-hp effort of the regular Forester, and you've got yourself a 14-hp advantage. Okay, golf clap. Still, the way this hybrid compact crossover goes about its business is what makes the difference. It starts with a 2.5-liter boxer engine as in the standard car, but this one is tuned to run the Atkinson cycle. It makes 162 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque, which doesn't sound that great until you realize that the hybrid system blends in another 118 horsepower and 199 pound-feet from the primary traction motor concealed within the transmission case. Another motor-generator within the transmission case does the hero's work of starting the engine, siphoning off excess power to generate electricity for the battery, and regulating the output of the engine and traction motor as the arbiter of the CVT action of the transmission. It doesn't contribute to propulsion, so its output isn't listed, but it is the main player behind the scenes of the whole contraption. What's more, the CVT action here is less prone to vibration than Subaru's Lineartronics of old, because there's no friction in how this one operates. Consisting of a planetary gearset instead of a pair of adjustable pulleys and a chain belt, it's far smoother. On the drag strip, though, the hybrid isn't liable to be much quicker than the nonhybrid. That's because most of its horsepower advantage is negated by the powertrain's extra weight. (It's almost a draw when you do the power-to-weight calculation.) But the electric motor gives the Forester Hybrid far more motivation moving off from a stop, so there's a chance it might outdo the regular Forester's 8.3-second dash to 60 mph. Passing acceleration from 30–50 mph and from 50–70 mph seem ripe for a mild improvement too. But even if that doesn't happen, the overriding theme will be quiet. That's because the Forester Hybrid has been given even more sound deadening than the nonhybrid. Of course, it also operates sometimes as an EV, and we saw the EV mode light up on downhills at 60 mph and even for brief stretches while cruising too. The background noise doesn't really change much when you're driving, and the engine-on phases aren't much different from the engine-off ones. The exception, of course, is acceleration, but even this is muted unless you've got your foot in it. One thing that many overlook with an all-wheel-drive hybrid is the way power is routed to all four wheels. With the Forester Hybrid, the engine and hybrid system all sit upstream of the all-wheel-drive transfer case, meaning all four wheels are driven by the hybrid powertrain. In other all-wheel-drive hybrids, particularly the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the hybrid powertrain only drives the front wheels; the rear axle is powered by a third electric motor when necessary. It's not a great way to run a railroad, some might say. Electric motors deploy their power differently, so the front and rear ends might not speak the same language. Also, they may not be up for continuous all-wheel action. Subaru does pay a fuel-economy penalty for doing it this way, however. The Forester Hybrid's 35 mpg combined is 4 mpg lower than the RAV4 Hybrid's 39 mpg. The switch to hybrid propulsion necessitated certain other changes as well. The AC compressor is electrically powered and is canted off-axis from the pulleys. Other changes were made to the brakes, because they need to maintain a steady pedal feel whether you are regenerating electricity to do the slowing or using the pads and rotors. Subaru nailed this, because the brake pedal feel is smooth and sure throughout; there's no hiccup when the brakes transition from one to the other. The only small gripe is that they're a wee bit oversensitive initially. The suspension has been reworked owing to the extra weight—some 300 pounds. We spent the bulk of our time driving a Forester Hybrid with the base 225/55R-18 all-season tires, and on the narrow twisty lanes above Woodside, California, it felt absolutely planted, but with a comportment that still breathed. The body didn't roll excessively, and you never had any sense that there's 8.7 inches of ground clearance underneath you. The steering is lighter than is our taste, but at the same time it never once gave us a bum steer. The road turned back on itself more times than we can recall, and yet we always hit our marks with ease. As has been said before, the visibility out of the Forester is pretty damn impressive. Ditto the accommodations, which are ample whether you're in the front seats or the back. The front chairs are nicely bolstered, and we appreciated them when sailing along twisty Skyline Drive. We'll even give a shout-out to the driver-assist nannies. We'll often turn off lane-departure warning, but Subaru's EyeSight seems to be sophisticated enough to distinguish between intentional line-tickling and outright inattention. Whatever the case, a system that doesn't react needlessly is the one that won't get switched off, meaning it will be on duty when you do need it. We previously posited that the hybrid would be "about $5000 more" than the regular version, but that's not quite true. Yes, the nonhybrid base model is actually exactly five grand less than than the hybrid's starting price, but that's because the least expensive hybrid is the one-level-up Premium trim level. Starting at $36,415 and climbing to $43,115 for the Touring, the hybrid's upcharge ranges from $1400 to $3185 bucks. For that, you also get more standard equipment and a hybrid-exclusive digital cockpit display, so the real price delta for the hybrid is more like $1400 to $1485. That's the dollar amount you really need to look at if you want to consider the payback for the 35-mpg combined rating that you get with the hybrid. We did, and it's fewer than five years at national average pump prices. Of course, there's a bit more to the Hybrid Forester than that. You also get a quieter car, more oomph at takeoff, and the digital gauge cluster that can put maps right in front of your face. Moreover, you get a well-tuned Forester that's nicer to drive than you'd guess. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
Associated Press
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Subaru Joins 2025 Overland Expo® As Title Sponsor With Immersive Experience, Curated Workshops, and Entertainment
CAMDEN, N.J., March 3, 2025 /3BL/ - Subaru of America Inc. today announced it is joining the Overland Expo® as a title sponsor for 2025. The Overland Expo, a premier outdoor travel event, will feature the latest Subaru adventure models, including the new 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid, as well as the Wilderness editions of the Subaru Outback, Subaru Crosstrek, and Subaru Forester. The Subaru exhibit will be a vibrant destination for adventurers, featuring curated workshops, live Subie & You Podcast recording sessions, limited-edition giveaways, exclusive Subaru gear, and the newest accessories from leading outdoor brands such as REI and Thule. This year's Subaru Overland Expo presence will capture the outdoor-adventure spirit of Subaru owners across the country, providing an in-depth look at what makes Subaru a leader in affordable off-roading and adventure vehicles. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn best practices from experts about off-roading, pet safety, camp setup, navigation, route planning and much more, as well as connect with fellow Subaru owners to explore vehicle customization options for outdoor adventure. Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America, Inc.: 'We are all-in on off-road adventure, and excited to join the thousands of Subaru owners making their way to Overland Expo, a destination event for outdoor enthusiasts. With our unique onsite experiences, Subaru is ready to amplify our customers' stories and show our appreciation for their dedication to our brand.' As part of its commitment to being More Than a Car Company®, Subaru will partner with local shelters to host pet adoptions at each stop along the event series. The automaker will also host workshops on pet travel safety tips, offer complimentary dog treats, provide pet water stations, and host pet-focused giveaways to support the Subaru Loves Pets® initiative. The full schedule of the 2025 Overland Expo series includes: Select Overland Expo locations will also feature exclusive perks for lucky Subaru fans, such as a complimentary evening reception and an invitation to Camp Wilderness, a Subaru owner-exclusive camping area where attendees can enjoy complimentary food, beverages, and yoga classes. For more information on Subaru at Overland Expo, visit About Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $320 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 100,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company® and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Subaru Joins 2025 Overland Expo(R) As Title Sponsor With Immersive Experience, Curated Workshops, and Entertainment
Automaker to celebrate the adventurous spirit of Subaru owners at all five events nationwide CAMDEN, NJ / / March 3, 2025 / Subaru of America Inc. today announced it is joining the Overland Expo® as a title sponsor for 2025. The Overland Expo, a premier outdoor travel event, will feature the latest Subaru adventure models, including the new 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid, as well as the Wilderness editions of the Subaru Outback, Subaru Crosstrek, and Subaru Forester. The Subaru exhibit will be a vibrant destination for adventurers, featuring curated workshops, live Subie & You Podcast recording sessions, limited-edition giveaways, exclusive Subaru gear, and the newest accessories from leading outdoor brands such as REI and Thule. This year's Subaru Overland Expo presence will capture the outdoor-adventure spirit of Subaru owners across the country, providing an in-depth look at what makes Subaru a leader in affordable off-roading and adventure vehicles. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn best practices from experts about off-roading, pet safety, camp setup, navigation, route planning and much more, as well as connect with fellow Subaru owners to explore vehicle customization options for outdoor adventure. Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America, Inc.: "We are all-in on off-road adventure, and excited to join the thousands of Subaru owners making their way to Overland Expo, a destination event for outdoor enthusiasts. With our unique onsite experiences, Subaru is ready to amplify our customers' stories and show our appreciation for their dedication to our brand." As part of its commitment to being More Than a Car Company®, Subaru will partner with local shelters to host pet adoptions at each stop along the event series. The automaker will also host workshops on pet travel safety tips, offer complimentary dog treats, provide pet water stations, and host pet-focused giveaways to support the Subaru Loves Pets® initiative. The full schedule of the 2025 Overland Expo series includes: March 15-16: Costa Mesa, CA May 16-18: Flagstaff, AZ June 27-29: Redmond, OR August 22-24: Loveland, CO October 3-5: Arrington, VA Select Overland Expo locations will also feature exclusive perks for lucky Subaru fans, such as a complimentary evening reception and an invitation to Camp Wilderness, a Subaru owner-exclusive camping area where attendees can enjoy complimentary food, beverages, and yoga classes. For more information on Subaru at Overland Expo, visit About Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $320 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 100,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company® and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube. ### Diane Anton Corporate Communications Manager (856) 488-5093 danton@ Adam Leiter Corporate Communications Specialist (856) 488-8668 aleiter@ Subaru is joining the Overland Expo® as a title sponsor for 2025 with an exhibit featuring curated workshops, live podcast recording sessions, limited-edition giveaways, exclusive Subaru gear, and more. Attendees will learn best practices about off-roading, pet safety, camp setup, navigation, and route planning and connect with fellow Subaru owners to explore vehicle customization options. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Subaru of America on Contact Info:Spokesperson: Subaru of AmericaWebsite: info@ SOURCE: Subaru of America View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
