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Subaru's just-unveiled 2025 Forester Hybrid sports next-gen Strong Hybrid system

By Aaron Turpen
February 06, 2025
Subaru's just-unveiled 2025 Forester Hybrid sports next-gen Strong Hybrid system
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid utilizes the company's newest hybrid powertrain
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid utilizes the company's newest hybrid powertrain
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2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid utilizes the company's newest hybrid powertrain
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2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid utilizes the company's newest hybrid powertrain
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid
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The Strong Hybrid powertrain found in the Forester Hybrid is a collaborative design based on Toyota's Prius
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid
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The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid retains the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system Subaru is known for
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid
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Fuel economy in the new 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid is up to 40 percent better than its gasoline-only counterpart
Visually, the only obvious difference between the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid and it's non-hybrid stablemate is badging
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Visually, the only obvious difference between the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid and it's non-hybrid stablemate is badging
The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid has a starting price of about US$35,000
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The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid has a starting price of about US$35,000
Infotainment and safety systems are standard across the 2025 Subaru Forester lineup
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Infotainment and safety systems are standard across the 2025 Subaru Forester lineup
The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid seats five passengers
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The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid seats five passengers
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid
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Rear seat legroom in the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid is unchanged from the gasoline model
Cargo access and size are the same in the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid and gasoline models
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Cargo access and size are the same in the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid and gasoline models
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid
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The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid's powertrain is a 2.5-liter boxer-style engine mated to a transaxle with two electric motors
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid
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There should be little difference in all-weather capability between the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid and the gasoline model
The hybrid powertrain Subaru is using is in collaboration with Toyota, but with specific engine and transaxle modifications to fit Subaru's opposed-piston engine and AWD drivetrain
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The hybrid powertrain Subaru is using is in collaboration with Toyota, but with specific engine and transaxle modifications to fit Subaru's opposed-piston engine and AWD drivetrain
View gallery - 13 images

Subaru has unveiled the 2025 Forester Hybrid at the Chicago Auto Show. This is the first time that the automaker has added a hybrid-electric powertrain to the Forester. It will be the first North American introduction of Subaru's new Strong Hybrid powertrain.

The Forester Hybrid uses a newly-developed 2.5-liter boxer (opposed piston) engine specifically designed for hybrid, through a combination Atkinson and Miller cycle for efficiency. Its transaxle pairs to two motors, one as a regenerative generator and the other a traction motor for propulsion. Total power output is 194 horsepower (142.7 kW). As with most Subaru models, all-wheel drive is standard.

Subaru says that the new hybrid system is expected to improve fuel economy by up to 40% in the city and 25% overall. These figures are on par with a similar system used in the Japanese release of the Crosstrek Hybrid.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid has a starting price of about US$35,000
The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid has a starting price of about US$35,000

The Strong Hybrid system was developed by Subaru in collaboration with Toyota. Based on the series parallel hybrid system used in the Prius, the Subaru version has been modified to work with Subaru's preferred boxer engine and Symmetrical AWD system. Total range is up to 581 miles (935 km).

This new hybrid design will replace the previous hybrid-electric system that Subaru utilized with mixed results.

Subaru says that the EPA ratings for the 2025 Forester Hybrid are 35 mpg (6.7 l/100km) in the city, 34 mpg (6.9 l/100km) on the highway, and 35 mpg combined. That's about 10 mpg (23.5 l/100km) over the non-hybrid model's city rating.

2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid
The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid's powertrain is a 2.5-liter boxer-style engine mated to a transaxle with two electric motors

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid has a starting price of US$34,995 plus destination.

Source: Subaru

View gallery - 13 images

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AutomotiveSubaruHybridToyotaSUV
9 comments
Aaron Turpen
Aaron Turpen
Aaron is a Wyoming-based automotive journalist with interests in electronic and engineering technology. Outside of New Atlas, Aaron is a prolific writer, father of two, and would-be chicken farmer.

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9 comments
Uncle Anonymous
A hybrid like this would be a good option for replacement of my older 2018 Forester. Thanks for the heads-up, I'll have to keep an eye out for when the dealer gets them in stock. 👍
sleekmarlin
I just don’t get hybrids. The extra complexity and the need to haul around two power sources don’t seem to justify the small increase in fuel efficiency. My petrol station wagon is more economical than this new Forester. Will the resale value of these be low in 7 years, with people nervous that they will need a new battery?
michael_dowling
Have to agree with sleekmarlin. Anybody buying a hybrid these days is plain stupid. Hybrids are a bridge technology,which is no longer needed. You are buying a much more mechanically complex drive system than a straight EV,with the need for periodic oil changes and stops at a petrol station. Today's EVs have adequate range for all purposes,especially Teslas,which have a reliable and easily located chain of charge stations.
Karmudjun
To sleekmarlin & Michael_dowling: some of us in the USA live where the temperatures drop to below zero C, and have to rely upon our vehicle even in such weather. The hybrid technology is not soooo complicated as it is efficient and reduces the lifespan carbon footprint of the vehicle over that of the EV. I may be smarter than the average motor-head, but I find the hybrid an elegant solution if someone plans on maintaining their vehicle for at least a decade and over 200K miles. But then I have never been called "plain stupid" here in the real world conditions in the USA, that is a first for me. Still, all the environmental references and most car enthusiast references do say hybrid versus EV wins out over the long term for CO2 minimization.
Nibblonian
Yes, you could call hybrids “complex”, but I would use the word “sophisticated”. The way that modern hybrids with their “eCVT” integrate the electric motors with ICE motor is truly a marvel of electro-mechanical engineering. And I don’t think this comes at a reliability cost. Yes, hybrids cost a bit more than the equivalent ICE, but better MPG (10 MPG improvement is nothing to sneeze at) coupled with a few extra HP and with many of the benefits of a full EV such as extended brake life, no alternator, and no fan belt to replace can offset most if not all of the higher purchase price. Plus, no range anxiety on those longer trips. (PS: for resale value, check out older Prius--their value holds up very nicely to other cars of similar spec and mileage).
Jinpa
The article describes the new Forester as a simple hybrid, not as a PHEV plug-in hybrid, but with a traction-linked engine, so I don't see the appeal. And 35 mpg is a lot less than Toyota simple hybrid models that get 50 mpg. Subaru may have trouble selling these.
vince
Without a plug-in it's just a higher gas mileage Subaru and still pollutes the Earth with CO2 that will eventually melt the polar ice caps.
vince
PHEVS are the way to go. Most EV's are just not well suited to travel. Their limited range and time to charge is the reason. Most people don't understand that an EV is rated for total range by depleting the battery to 0%. But practical usage is limited to 20% to 80% because you need to keep a reserve in case things don't work out as planned such as weather events, out of order or closed charging stations, road conditions or accidents which could leave you stranded in 120 heat for hours or even half a day or more in some events. And 80% is practical upper limit because charging speed falls drastically after 80% to protect the battery and often it takes as long to go from 80% to 100% as it does to go from 10% to 80% which means over an hour to charge. and with limited range that's hour plus hour plus hour for long trips making trips over 500 miles tedious. I know, I have an EV6 and got stranded several times due to pushing the car too far and events out of my control (weather, accidents) depleting my reserve. And basic hybrids without a plug in are going to be a nightmare in 5 to 10 years when warranty is gone. But for the short term--the next 10 to 15 years--a PHEV is the way to go and the more EV range the better. Toyota has promised 85 to 120 mile EV only range. Dodge has promised a Ramcharger with 140 miles of EV range. That would be fabulous. Then you don't need to have a 2nd car if you get a full EV around town and a full gas on the road when necessary. Those naysayers who think hybrids are ridiculous are the ridiculous people who don't think things through. I owned a Volt and over 20,000 miles drove only 128 miles on gas until I took a trip across the country and put 6,000 miles mostly on gas. But I couldn't imagine the hassle of waiting hours and hours for charging a full EV or the crazy idea of driving on gas in the city. I'll never ever do that again and haven't since 2011 with my First Leaf and 2016 with my first Volt. Now with my OUtlander I still don't use gas in the city and never will. 40 miles of EV range is plenty when you can use level 3 charging on it that doubles my city range.
George
'Plain Stupid' here. Out in the t'stix of deepest Northumberland (UK). Need a car that is reliable/solid, starts first time every time, can pull my (loaded) 5ft trailer like it's not there, has enough gadgets to entertain without un-necessary extra ones to break, looks smart without being too flashy. Oh wait, that's my 2019 eBoxer :-) Nearest charging staion is 20 miles away (don't get me started on anything-Tesla :-(, can't be ar$ed carrying around a cable with assorted adapters to suit the various stations (that's if there's not a queue, it hasn't been vandalised or I have the right payment app installed). The electric motor on mine purely adds mid-range punch, which I knew before buying & am happy with in-usage - my 'speedster' days are way over :-). The only regret I have is that due to emission-regulations the power of (UK) version is actually >down< on previous, plus we have to make do with the 2L (mild hybrid) as opposed to 2.5L ('stroong' hybrid) available elsewhere. Otherwise....Forester rules :-)