2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Review

Man of Many

2 days ago

High point Low point Verdict Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system is still the king in this segment for road holding ability and surefootedness Technology and use of materials on the interior are not up to scratch compared to the newcomers in the mid-size SUV segment. It's still the obvious choice for traditionally minded mid-size SUV buyers and those that want to go a little further off the beaten path than most.
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With a debut at the Chicago Auto Show earlier in the year, we've finally gone behind the wheel of the new Subaru Forester Hybrid at the press launch in Christchurch, New Zealand.
It's the first in a line of new models that are scheduled to enter Subaru Australia showrooms over the next 12 months, but it's arguably their most important model release in decades as it arrives with Hybrid power to tackle the top-selling Toyota RAV4 and others like the Mitsubishi Outlander. But can it deliver the good? We headed to New Zealand to find out.
How Much is the Subaru Forester Hybrid?
The all-new Subaru Forester is available in seven variants, priced from AUD$43,490 plus on-road costs for the non-hybrid entry-level petrol model and from AUD$46,490 plus on-road costs for the Forester Hybrid.
What Do You Get for the Money?
Here's everything you get for your money when buying a Subaru Forester in Australia. I'll start by outlining the standard options across the petrol range before moving into the Forester Hybrid.
Petrol-Only Variants of the Subaru Forester
Forester AWD – from AUD$43,490 plus on-roads
2.5-litre Boxer petrol engine
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
X-Mode
Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) – 2 mode
Subaru's Vision Assist with Panoramic 360 Degree View Monitor
9 SRS airbags now including: Far Side airbag Front Passenger Seat Cushion airbag
The latest gen of Subaru EyeSight®, which now adds: Wide-angle monocular camera Emergency Driving Stop System
Front-side radar
Reverse Automatic Braking
Driver Monitoring System
An 11.6-inch high-definition touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity
Wireless Qi charger
Heated front seats
Ladder-style roof rails
18-inch alloy wheels
Forester AWD Premium – from AUD$46,490 plus on-roads adds:
Satellite navigation
Powered tailgate with kick sensor
Powered front seats: 8-way power seat with dual memory – driver Electric lumbar support – driver 8-way power seat – front passenger
Auto driver's seat and door mirror adjustment DMS functions
Auto folding door mirrors with auto dipping passenger mirror on reverse
Forester AWD Sport – from AUD$48,490 plus on-roads adds:
X-Mode – 2 mode
Water repellent synthetic leather seat trim
Electric sunroof
Dark metallic 18-inch alloy wheels
Unique styling cues such as: Black front grille with green insert Symmetrical All Wheel Drive exterior badge – Green Exterior Sport badge – Green Interior seat stitching – Green leather steering wheel with green stitching Shift boot with green stitching
Forester AWD Touring – from AUD$50,990 plus on-roads adds:
10 speakers, plus sub-woofer and amplifier, Harman Kardon® audio system
Leather and Ultrasuede® accented seat trim in a choice of black or brown colour themes
Front seat ventilation
Stylish gloss black exterior highlights on the: Front grille Front and rear bumper Side garnish Door mirror caps
Low-profile roof rails
Hybrid Variants of the Subaru Forester
Forester AWD Hybrid – from AUD$46,490 plus on-roads
Next generation strong hybrid e-Boxer
Lineartronic CVT with Sports Regeneration Paddles
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
X-Mode – 2 mode
Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive)
Subaru's Vision Assist with Panoramic 360 Degree View Monitor
9 SRS airbags now including: Far Side airbag Front Passenger Seat Cushion airbag
The latest gen of Subaru EyeSight®, which now adds: Wide-angle monocular camera Emergency Driving Stop System
Front-side radar
Reverse Automatic Braking
Driver Monitoring System
An 11.6-inch high-definition touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity
Wireless Qi Charger
Heated front seats
Ladder-style roof rails
18-inch alloy wheels
Forester AWD Hybrid Sport – from AUD$54,990 plus on-roads adds:
Stylish bronze accents on the: Front and rear bumper Side garnish Symmetrical All Wheel Drive badge
Electric sunroof
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
Satellite navigation
Powered tailgate with kick sensor
Auto driver's seat and door mirror adjustment DMS functions
Powered front seats: 8-way power seat with dual memory – driver Electric lumbar support – driver 8-way power seat – front passenger
Auto folding door mirrors with auto dipping passenger mirror on reverse
10 speakers, plus sub-woofer and amplifier, Harman Kardon® audio system
Enhanced suspension for improved comfort on bumpy roads
Low-profile roof rails
19-inch alloy wheels – Bronze colour
Forester AWD Hybrid Touring – from AUD$55,990 plus on-roads adds:
19-inch alloy wheels – Dark grey machined gloss finish
Leather and Ultrasuede® accented seat trim in a choice of black or brown colour themes
Front seat ventilation
Stylish gloss black exterior highlights on the: Front grille Front and rear bumper Side garnish
How Much Does the Subaru Forester Hybrid Cost to Run?
Subaru Forester Hybrid is covered by a 5-year/ unlimited kilometre warranty in Australia and an 8-year, 160,000km warranty for the Hybrid battery.
Here's how much it costs to service under the brand's 5-year/75,000km Capped Price Servicing Program, which covers both petrol and hybrid AWD variants:
1 Month (Health Check & Chat) – Free
– Free 15,000km / 12 Months – $347.95
– $347.95 30,000km / 24 Months – $520.45
– $520.45 45,000km / 36 Months – $393.10
– $393.10 60,000km / 48 Months – $679.30
– $679.30 75,000km / 60 Months – $358.20
This pricing is about average for the mid-size SUV segment, but you might find cheaper pricing from some of the cut-price Chinese-made competition like MG, Chery, etc., if this is a concern.
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia
What's the Interior of the Subaru Forester Hybrid Like?
The interior of the Subaru Forester Hybrid is pragmatic, to say the least.
There's very little in the way of showy, shiny things that catch your eye like they would inside the Chinese-made competition. However, that's not to say that it's not a pleasant place to sit, and many will appreciate the simplicity of the control and the glasshouse effect of having a high driving position and low window line.
To my surprise, physical buttons adorn the steering wheel, there's a large stick in the centre of the cabin to select gears instead of a nub, the cupholders are exposed so you can chuck things inside, and you can even change the direction of the aircon vents by moving them with your hands. These were all typical new car things five years ago, but they've mostly been phased out as the wave of new car brands has rewritten consumers' expectations.
It's very hard for me to critique Subaru for sticking with the old ways because I'm sure it's exactly what their market research team says the customer wants, but it does feel like you're going back five years when you get inside the cabin.
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia
Practicality and storage are areas where the Forester has always reigned supreme, but the battery has taken its toll on the cargo space inside the Forester Hybrid.
The non-hybrid models have 496 litres of cargo space in the boot, while the hybrid models have just 484 litres. This is significantly less than the Toyota RAV4, which manages 542 litres of space with the floor in its highest position. Meanwhile, the larger and more expensive Volkswagen Tiguan manages 652 litres of space.
Fold the second-row seats down and you'll have 1,162 litres of space in the hybrid models, which is useful for late-night Facebook marketplace finds.
You'll appreciate the handful of clever features in the boot too, such as the four pull‑out tie‑down points and side‑wall cargo hooks to secure bulky items or camping gear, the ceiling hooks to hang shopping bags or garment bags upright, and the retractable cargo blind to keep valuables out of sight (tucks away when not needed). Heck, even the door pockets are large enough to store 1‑litre drink bottles.
Ports-wise, there's one USB‑A and one USB‑C up front and in the rear, an aux jack, and two 12‑volt outlets.
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia
The technology inside the new Subaru Forester gets the job done, but there's very little wow factor compared to other vehicles in this class.
There's an 11.6‑inch portrait touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (full screen) available on every grade. However, it's far from the highest-quality screen on the market, and while I never had any trouble connecting my phone to the bevy of vehicles we drove on the launch, it's like operating a Kindle while everyone else is using an iPhone. The upcoming 2026 Subaru Outback goes away from this system, but it seems the Forester will make do until a mid-cycle facelift eventually arrives.
The standard 6‑speaker sound system (Core, Premium, Sport & Hybrid) sounds okay, but the better 10‑speaker Harman Kardon sound system with sub‑woofer and external amp (Touring, Hybrid Sport, Hybrid Touring) should be standard across most models in the range at this point because competitors offer better standard audio systems for less money.
I was also disappointed to see that only the Touring models get the new 12.3‑inch full LCD instrument cluster with Normal, Map and EyeSight views, while every other model in the lineup has to use the same old 4.2‑inch colour Multi‑Information Display that we've seen in Subarus for years.
I understand why Subaru would keep the technology updates to a minimum, but even the cheapest new cars on sale in Australia have quality screens, sound systems, and driver displays these days.
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid | Image: Subaru USA
What's Under the Bonnet of the Subaru Forester Hybrid?
There are two powertrain options available with the new Subaru Forester in Australia.
Subaru Forester Petrol models are powered by:
Engine : 2.5-litre horizontally opposed Boxer 4-cylinder
: 2.5-litre horizontally opposed Boxer 4-cylinder Power : 136kW @ 5,800rpm
: 136kW @ 5,800rpm Torque : 247Nm @ 3,700rpm
: 247Nm @ 3,700rpm Transmission : Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with: 8-speed manual mode Broader gear ratio range (8.1) Retuned for stronger take-off acceleration Lower 1st and reverse gears for increased performance on hills
: Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with: Fuel economy : 7.9 litres/100km (combined)
: 7.9 litres/100km (combined) Fuel tank capacity : 63L
: 63L Towing: 1,800kg braked, 750kg unbraked
Subaru Forester Hybrid models are powered by:
Engine : 2.5-litre Boxer petrol engine with 90kW electric motor and 1.1kWh lithium-ion battery Power : 121kW @ 5,600 rpm Torque : 212Nm @ 4,000–4,400 rpm
: 2.5-litre Boxer petrol engine with 90kW electric motor and 1.1kWh lithium-ion battery Combined system output : 145kW
: 145kW Transmission : TH2B Hybrid Transaxle Planetary gearset Integrated secondary electric motor/generator (MG1)
: Fuel economy : 6.2L/100km (combined)
: 6.2L/100km (combined) Range : Over 1,000km per tank (indicative)
: Over 1,000km per tank (indicative) Towing: 1,200kg braked, 750kg unbraked
The non-Hybrid 2.5-litre horizontally opposed Boxer 4-cylinder produces 136kW @ 5,800rpm and 247Nm @ 3,700rpm. Meanwhile, the Forester Hybrid features a 2.5-litre Boxer petrol engine with a 90kW electric motor powered by a 1.1kWh lithium-ion battery for a combined power figure of 145kW.
That means the overall power figure is similar to the recently unveiled 2026 Toyota RAV4 (143kW), but down compared to the 226kW RAV4 PHEV variant.
Notably, the Forester Hybrid's claimed city fuel economy has jumped by 30 per cent over the naturally aspirated petrol to a claimed 6.2-litres per 100km combined. Even more impressively, this hybrid powertrain delivers an impressive driving range of over 1,000km per tank (based on laboratory results under ADR testing conditions). Even on our test drive through the twisty roads of NZ, we managed to achieve an average figure of 6.8 litres per 100km, which is good, but not quite at RAV4 levels.
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia
How Does the Subaru Forester Hybrid Drive?
I've poked a lot of holes in the Subaru Forester Hybrid so far, but there's one thing that Subaru has always done well, and that's create a car that drives well.
They've done it again with the Forester Hybrid. While I'm unsure how many buyers will be throwing it at the sweeping country roads, gravel tracks, and muddy trails that we tackled on our launch drive, these are the types of roads where the Symmetrical AWD system with its active‑torque split coupling proves its worth. There are very few mid-size SUVs that I'd want to drive on these roads with any sort of anger, but I know that the Forester is at the top of the list.
I hate the word 'planted,' but that's how it feels. You try and unsettle it through a slippery gravel sweeper, and the front end stays hooked while the rear end rotates the car around in a controlled manner. It could do with some more feel through the electric rack‑and‑pinion steering, but it's much better than the previous-generation vehicle, and it keeps the tight 10.8 m turning circle.
It's the same story on the backroads, winding its way through the country with ease. The only negative is the constant beeps from the EyeSight driver monitoring system, but I'm never going to turn it off as it once saved me from a very awkward phone call to Subaru's PR department.
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia
Surprisingly, the planetary gearbox (not a CVT, but kind of a CVT) isn't taking away from the experience. While I'd prefer a snappy dual-clutch or well-tuned automatic, it's perfectly adequate.
On the power front, the Forester Hybrid doesn't feel much quicker than the petrol model. It wouldn't be far off to assume that the only performance gains to be had are in the fuel consumption department. Would it have been exciting to see a little more attitude from the powerplant under the bonnet? Yes, but it's still punching out enough grunt to get out of harm's way when needed.
The MacPherson struts suspension up front and double‑wishbones at the rear do a great job of softening any bumps on the smooth tarmac around Christchurch, and I would say the overall ride quality of the Forester is very good in all specifications. You'd be pretty hard pressed to tell the difference between the petrol and hybrid models in terms of suspension set-up, but the brand does assure us that there is a difference, which is likely down to the added weight of the batteries and electric motor.
Lastly, we challenged a few rougher tracks to check out the full breadth of capabilities of the X-Mode II system available in the higher trims. This proved once again that the Forester is capable of keeping up with 98% of the tracks that your tradie mates drive in their dual-cab utes.
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia
Is the Subaru Forester Hybrid Safe?
The Subaru Forester scores a 5-star ANCAP safety rating with full marks for driver protection in the side impact, oblique pole and full width tests. Here's a closer look at the ANCAP ratings:
Adult occupant protection – 83 per cent
– 83 per cent Child occupant protection – 91 per cent
– 91 per cent Vulnerable road user protection – 86 per cent
– 86 per cent Safety assist – 75 per cent
Standard safety equipment across the range includes (A-Z):
9 airbags, including: Far-side Front passenger seat cushion
Active torque vectoring
Autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse)
Autonomous emergency steering
Adaptive cruise control
Blind-spot monitoring
Driver monitoring system
Emergency driving stop system
Emergency lane-keep assist
Front-side radar
Lane centring
Lane change assist
Lane-keep assist
Rear cross-traffic alert
Rear parking sensors
Surround-view camera
Traffic sign recognition
Tyre pressure monitoring
Wide-angle monocular camera
NOTE: There is no full-size spare wheel.
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia
Man of Many's Verdict on the Subaru Forester Hybrid
If you're a traditionally minded mid-size SUV buyer, the new Subaru Forester is worth taking a closer look at.
While it still lacks the wow factor compared to many of the newcomers from China, it's a pragmatic vehicle that you can trust to take you further and last longer than just about anything else in this class. Still, adventurer or not, the recalibrated steering, suspension, and gearbox will make everyday driving more pleasant, as will the increased sound insulation in the cabin and upgraded tech that finally brings it closer to the standards we expect in this ever-evolving segment.
I believe the hardest choice for buyers in the showroom will be between the petrol and hybrid grades. The $6,500 price increase from Sport to Sport Hybrid would buy you a lot of petrol.