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The Lowdown:
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid | Image: Subaru USA
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With a debut at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this month, Subaru has officially revealed the new Subaru Forester Hybrid that’s set to take on the top-selling car in Australia, the Toyota RAV4.
It was the top-selling vehicle in Australia in 2024 with 58,718 vehicles sold, but that number looks tiny when you compare it to the sales in the United States where the RAV4 outsold the Ford F-150 for the first time, according to Jato Dynamics data. How many did they sell? Well, F-150 sales dropped 5 per cent to 460,915 in 2024. Meanwhile, Toyota RAV4 registrations increased by 9 per cent to 475,193, and it seems this is the wake-up call that Subaru needed, unveiling the new model shortly after the sales figures were announced.
Subaru is yet to share an indicative price for the vehicle in Australia, but they have confirmed that the new hybrid SUV will debut here by mid-2025 in both hybrid and non-hybrid formats. Toyota has discontinued the non-hybrid RAV4 and it will certainly be interesting to see how Subaru keeps the price of the hybrid model down to stay competitive. The Toyota RAV4 starts from AUD$42,260 plus on-roads while the current generation Subaru Forester starts from AUD$38,690 plus on-roads.
Under the bonnet of the new Forester “Strong Hybrid” model is a 2.5-litre Subaru Boxer engine that combines with electric motors and Subaru’s signature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system to deliver 145kW of power and 270Nm of torque. That’s down on power compared to the RAV4s 163kW, but surely enough to make the heavier hybrid feel light on its feet thanks to the electric propulsion. Notably, the city fuel economy has jumped by 30 per cent over the naturally aspirated petrol. Let’s take a closer look!
Unlike the RAV4, the Forester does not have an electric motor powering the rear wheels, and because of this Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, Subaru claims that it retains a low centre of gravity and optimal handling whilst adding enhanced range. To add to this, the hybrid Forester also gets a torque vectoring system, vehicle dynamics control and an off-road X-Mode system from the standard petrol model while the ground clearance stands at a robust 220mm.
That said there is an even more off-road-focused Wilderness version which comes with the standard petrol engine while having a significant increase in ground clearance at 236mm along with different suspension, all-terrain tyres, and a beefier set of bumpers. It remains to be seen whether Subaru will offer this car here in Australia, but we’d love to see it!
Other changes to the new Forester include a tablet-like 11.6-inch Multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility along with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster on ‘selected’ variants. It also has the Eyesight Driver Assist Technology feature with active cruise control.
“Inspired by six generations of adventure this next-generation Forester features a bold rugged design, with the confidence of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and renowned X-Mode,” said General Manager of Subaru Australia, Scott Lawrence. “It’s built to take you from city streets to untamed trails with ease. Its revolutionary design brings advanced safety and immersive in-car technology and enhanced all-terrain capability. We are looking forward to sharing more details on the all-new Forester range in both petrol and hybrid over the coming months.”
The Subaru Forester hybrid will go on sale in the US first with four Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring with most US-based publications expecting it to start from around USD$35,000. We expect the pricing to be more competitive for the Australian market considering the number of Japanese vehicles we import, while exact specifications and further details are to be revealed closer to launch.
