I Drove the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid. Here's my Brutally Honest Review originally appeared on Autoblog.
Finally, after years of enthusiasts begging for one, we finally got a Forester hybrid. Is it worth the hype? Here’s what I think after driving one.
Compact, all-wheel drive hybrid SUVs are all the rage right now. Just look at the Hyundai Tucson hybrid (which can also be purchased as a PHEV), Mazda CX-50 hybrid, Toyota RAV4 hybrid, Kia Sportage hybrid, or the Honda CR-V hybrid. They’re all popular for excellent reasons: they’re reliable, capable, comfortable, and relatively affordable. Then, not only does the Subaru Forester hybrid show up late to the party for 2025, but it’s the most expensive of the bunch, too, with a price range of $36,385 to $43,295.
Unlike the 2019 Crosstrek hybrid, which used Toyota’s leftover hybrid technology, the Forester hybrid is mostly Subaru’s doing. Toyota engineers were on speed dial, but Subaru’s very proud to say that their hybrid is their own. Unlike the RAV4, one of the best-selling hybrid AWD SUVs, it uses a true, full-time, mechanical AWD system instead of an on-demand system. This means it’s one of the more rugged options, but also a thirstier one. While I had it, I was averaging 29.5 miles to the gallon, which is a vast improvement from the gas-only Forester. With that, does it merit a higher price tag than its competitors?
Current Subaru owners will struggle to find something to complain about
Subaru has been following the same formula for decades, and I say this as the owner of a 2011 Forester. Everything I love about my old Subaru is there in the new one. It’s a great size, the cargo space is just right, the visibility is excellent, the seating position is high, so you can see all the corners and blind spots, and it’s easy to get in and out of. Of course, with a difference of 14 years, modern technology has only improved the driver experience with a large but responsive touch screen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, electronic seat adjusters, and more. The interior is much nicer, with varying textures, colors, and materials, but at its core, it’s very much a Subaru. Uncomplicated, effective, and easy to become acquainted with.
The low entry point, paired with high ground clearance and a tall roofline, makes it one of the easiest SUVs to climb in and out of. Even my toddlers loved being able to climb out of it without much assistance. The increased vertical height over the Outback makes it easier to stack things in the trunk, and my 6’2” husband enjoyed all the headspace he had and the fact that he didn’t have to bend down to get into it. They’re the same things I love about my 2011, and why current Subaru owners will find the transition from old to new incredibly seamless. When my sister bought a 2022 Forester Wilderness after having a 2003 Forester for almost 10 years, she said it felt just like her old one, with newer technology. The same principle applies here. It’s a perfect blend between “don’t fix what ain’t broken” and injecting what it needs to compete with the other AWD hybrid SUVs.
New-to-Subaru buyers, though, may find it underwhelming
Unless you’re a devoted member of the Subie cult and upgrading from a 2003 Outback, the Forester Hybrid may seem a bit lacking. There’s an 11.6-inch multimedia screen and a digital driver information display to replace the gauges, but other than that, there’s not much that helps it stand out. The Mazda CX-50’s interior is more posh and luxurious, while the Hyundai Tucson’s interior is more technology-focused and clean. The RAV4 is more user-friendly, featuring analog controls for frequently used driver functions. The Forester hybrid had waterproof seats in the Sport Hybrid that I reviewed, which was a welcome addition with toddler passengers, but otherwise, there wasn’t much that helped justify the higher price tag based on interior features and design.
It also doesn’t get as good of mileage as its competitors, but that’s thanks to a more robust, full-time AWD system. Instead of an on-demand system that uses steering, throttle, or braking input to evenly split torque between the front and rear wheels, they’re evenly split at all times, and mileage suffers as a result, just like in the gas-only Forester. As I mentioned before, I was averaging about 29.5 miles to the gallon, which is impressive, but it’s not as remarkable as the AWD RAV4 hybrid’s 36.3 mpg or the Hyundai Tucson hybrid’s 37 mpg. This might make it difficult for first-time buyers to pay extra for a hybrid that doesn’t score as high as its competitors.
My toddlers felt at home in the Forester hybrid
My three and two-year-old daughters are picky about rear seats. They don’t like small windows, they don’t appreciate the lack of a sunroof, and they especially dislike being cooped up. They immediately loved being in the back of the Forester because it was easy for them to see out of and climb into. My oldest daughter especially liked it when I’d have the sunroof open while we tested it off-road, because she could see into the trees without much effort. The rear seats had their own A/C vents, which came in handy as my loan was in June, and if they were older, they’d appreciate the charging ports for occupants on either side. I mentioned this already, but the Sport hybrid had waterproof seating, making it super easy to clean up my daughter’s spilled milk after hitting up our local Dutch Bros.
What helped inspire confidence as a driver and a parent was the long list of safety features that came with the Forester hybrid. All trim levels of the hybrid come with Subaru’s award-winning dual-camera (tri-camera with pedestrian detection on upper models) safety suite, so I knew my girls and husband were safe. The cargo space was generous, too, with plenty of room for the family’s luggage, a stroller, a diaper bag or two, and camping gear. Adding crossbars and a cargo box or basket would only increase that, and I’d generally recommend that to any adventurous family.
Off-road, the Forester’s capabilities truly shone
When my husband and I were wandering the dusty, rocky trails in Central Oregon, we were impressed by how easy it was for it. With X-MODE, most of the thinking was done for us. The ground clearance was enough to keep us out of trouble, and the ride was smooth. The factory all-season tires performed wonderfully, even in the tricky sections of the trail, where the Subaru made it through with ease. All while in EV mode most of the time, saving the fuel for the drive home. I started picturing how easy it would be to reach even the most remote campsites, without having to worry about hauling extra fuel. It could get you there, back, and beyond on a single tank of gas, thanks to the hybrid technology paired with Subaru’s legendary AWD system.
The ride was so smooth, both of my girls were lulled to sleep before we made it back to the main road. The Subaru Forester hybrid would be an easy choice for families who plan to camp or go adventuring regularly.
Final thoughts
After all of us were tapping our imaginary watches like Judge Judy waiting for the Forester hybrid, it was nice to see that Subaru finally took hybridization pretty seriously. Nothing that made the Forester so wonderful was changed–it was just a more efficient Forester. As a Subaru owner, I loved it immediately, but I felt that the price, compared to the competition, would make it a hard sell to someone who’d never driven a Subaru before. But, Subaru knows that most of the air under their wings is from repeat customers, so they don’t need new buyers. Overall, I enjoyed my time with the Forester hybrid. However, it made me anxious to see how the Outback hybrid will perform.
I Drove the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid. Here's my Brutally Honest Review first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 6, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
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