The hybrid version of the 2025 Subaru Forester that borrows technology from Toyota has been unveiled in the US and is confirmed to be part of the local line-up launching mid year.
The ‘Strong Hybrid’ powertrain will be offered alongside regular petrol power for the sixth-generation version of Subaru’s highly popular midsized SUV.
Subaru says an electric motor generator and electric traction motor – core components borrowed from Toyota’s well established hybrid systems – are tied in with a newly developed 2.5-litre ‘boxer’ four-cylinder petrol engine running on the more fuel efficient Atkinson Cycle.
The current Forester Hybrid features a 110kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder with electric motor combination, though Subaru’s petrol-electric powertrain has been widely criticised for higher fuel consumption than expected.
Subaru America quotes 145kW for the US-spec Forester Hybrid and claims it improves “combined city and highway cruising” fuel economy by 25 per cent compared with the non-hybrid Forester 2.5L.
Standard features for the new-generation Subaru Forester are set to include safety technology such as Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist, 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and an 11.6-inch multimedia system that is naturally both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible.
In terms of off-road credentials, the 2025 Subaru Forester continues with 220mm of ground clearance at kerb weight, which is just 10mm less than the BYD Shark 6 for reference. Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is naturally retained for 2025, as is their X-Mode off-road system which uses five different forms of control to reduce spinning tyres while sending drive to the wheels with traction.
X-Mode also includes goodies such as Hill Descent Control, Active Torque Vectoring and Vehicle Dynamics Control which acts as a brake-lock limited slip differential.
Subaru Australia says more 2025 Forester details will be released closer to its mid-year launch.