2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring Quick Test: A Smoother, More Efficient Boxer

Pros:

-Peppy acceleration
-Improved efficiency
-Quieter and more refined cabin

Cons:

-Slow highway passing
-RAV4 and CR-V are far more efficient
-Can’t get sporty with it

It’s been a while, but the Subaru Forester once again offers buyers two powertrain options. But don’t get your hopes up if you’ve got a lead foot, because this isn’t a revival of the Forester XT and its punchy and powerful turbocharged engine. We’re not saying such a model won’t ever happen again, but the company for now is wisely going for broader appeal with the new 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid, which we tested recently in top-of-the-line Touring spec.

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Why It’s Important

Subaru is electrifying its lineup at a rapid pace. Its all-electric Solterra made its debut in 2022 and will soon be joined by the compact Subaru Uncharted and midsize Trailseeker. For buyers not quite ready to take the all-electric leap of faith, the new Forester Hybrid provides a suitable landing point.

Many of the Forester’s competitors have offered hybrid powertrains for quite some time. The Honda CR-V, for example, can be had with a gas or hybrid option, and same goes for the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. Meanwhile, the new 2026 Toyota RAV4 takes things a step further and can only be had with hybrid powertrains, including a plug-in version with DC fast charging.

What We Like

The hybridized powertrain suits the modest Forester in several ways. For starters, the Forester Hybrid Touring is EPA-rated at 35/34/35 mpg city/highway/combined, giving it a sizable efficiency boost over the standard Forester Touring (25/32/28 mpg). Couple that with a large 16.6-gallon gas tank, and you’ve got close to 600 miles of bladder-busting range at your disposal.

Also at your disposal is 194 horsepower. That’s only 14 hp more than the standard Forester, but it makes a huge difference in everyday city driving. The hybrid is peppier off the line and also benefits from additional sound deadening, giving it a much more refined vibe compared to the non-hybrid Forester. We also give it high marks for great all-around visibility, soft and supportive seats, and ample leg- and headroom. Like a good pair of sweatpants, the Forester Hybrid is a car you instantly feel comfortable with.

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What We Don’t Like

The Forester Hybrid Touring’s efficiency competes with the likes of the Hyundai Tucson hybrid and Kia Sportage hybrid but falls behind some of the heavy hitters. The Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring AWD, for example, is EPA-rated at 40/34/37 mpg, while the 2026 RAV4 Limited AWD returns 43/37/41 mpg. Moreover, the Forester Hybrid’s performance numbers are a mixed bag. Its 0–60-mph time of 8.2 seconds is 0.4 second quicker than a non-hybrid Forester Touring but falls behind by 0.3 second in the 45–65-mph passing test (4.5 vs. 4.2 seconds). Finally, its soft suspension revealed no surprises in our handling tests. However, any attempt at spirited driving is met with plenty of body dive and lean, though we doubt this will matter to most Forester Hybrid buyers.

The Bottom Line

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring commands a $3,325 premium over the non-hybrid version. That price is worth it alone for the gains in efficiency, improved city driving, and refinement.