Subaru has been offering hybrid editions of the Forester in other markets for years, but an electrified edition of the popular compact crossover is finally coming to the US, and a prototype has been spotted for the first time.
It’s based on the current sixth-generation Forester which made its debut last year as a 2025 model. The new Forester Hybrid is due to start sales next year as a 2025 model.
Aside from confirming plans for the Forester Hybrid at the Forester launch last year, Subaru has said little about what to expect.
However, the hood is expected to be a new hybrid powertrain developed in partnership with Toyota. Mazda is also involved in the partnership announced earlier this year.
Subaru powerful hybrid powertrain
Dubbed by Subaru as “Strong Hybrid,” the new powertrain has already debuted in a Crosstrek Hybrid in Japan and combines an optimized hybrid edition of Subaru’s iconic 2. 5-liter four-cylinder engine with a Toyota-evolved engine and battery. Formation
Compared to previous Subaru hybrid powertrains, the electric motor in the Strong Hybrid configuration particularly offers more power to allow the vehicle to run longer on electric power and the gasoline engine to run longer in its peak ranges. effective, even when it serves purely as a generator at times. The transmission is on all 4 wheels through a mechanical all-wheel drive system.
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.
The Forester Hybrid is rarely the only newcomer to the Forester diversity. A more physically powerful Forester Wilderness style is also expected to join the diversity shortly. Like the previous Forester Wilderness, the new one is expected to come with increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires.