2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid marks brand’s return to hybrid segment

• A Subaru Forester Hybrid will be available starting mid-2025
• The electrified compact crossover’s hybrid system was likely developed with Toyota
• A redesigned Subaru Outback is also arriving soon

Subaru will look to take advantage of renewed interest in hybrid vehicles with the launch of the 2025 Forester Hybrid next year.

Subaru’s website already has an option for claiming one and confirms that deliveries will start in the middle of next year.

Subaru has been without a hybrid vehicle, at least in the U.S., since the Crosstrek Hybrid bowed out at the end of 2023. The automaker has an electric vehicle in the form of the Solterra, but the arrival of the Forester Hybrid will mark the brand’s return to the hybrid segment.

The Forester Hybrid will be based on the redesigned sixth-generation Forester that arrived earlier this year, also as a 2025 model. Subaru is also offering the previous-generation Forester Wilderness for the 2025 model year.

Camouflaged prototypes for the Forester Hybrid have been spotted. Judging from the prototypes, there will likely be very little to differentiate the electrified crossover from the regular model, apart from perhaps badges.

The powertrain is thought to be a newly developed setup known as the Subaru Strong Hybrid. It has already debuted in a Crosstrek Hybrid in Japan, and it combines a hybrid-optimized version of Subaru’s signature 2.5-liter flat-4 engine with a more powerful electric motor and battery than in previous Subaru hybrid systems. The electrics were developed by Toyota.

In the Crosstrek Hybrid launched in Japan, the 2.5-liter flat-4 delivers 158 hp on its own, while the electric motor delivers 88 hp. The battery has a capacity of 1.1 kwh. Subaru hasn’t revealed full details but said the new Crosstrek Hybrid will use roughly 20% less gas than its predecessor while being able to deliver a 0-60 mph time that’s two seconds quicker.

Subaru fans have more to look forward to in the near future. A redesigned Outback has been spotted testing, and there will likely be a rugged Wilderness version of the latest Forester at some point.