2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Pros And Cons: What You Need To Know

Forester Hybrid: Practical, competent…but nothing to write home about.

Subaru has a way of building cars that are more loyal sidekicks than show ponies. They don’t beg for attention or dominate traffic with flair. Instead, they quietly earn trust with capability, practicality, and a kind of do-it-all reliability. The 2025 Forester Premium Hybrid carries that same spirit forward, now with an electrified twist and improved fuel economy.

The hybrid system mates a 2.5-liter flat-four engine with two small electric motors and a modest battery. Together, they produce 194 horsepower, making this the most powerful Forester to date. It’s not fast by any stretch, zero to 60 mph takes just under nine seconds, but that’s not really the point here. What you get is improved fuel economy (hovering around 35 mpg combined), a longer driving range, and the all-wheel-drive confidence that’s become a Subaru signature.

It’s also a comfortable cruiser. The Forester rides well, filters out road imperfections without much drama, and feels rock-solid on gravel, rain-slicked streets, and everything in between. The visibility is exceptional thanks to its tall roofline and large windows. It’s easy to park, easy to drive, and easier to live with than most.

Forester Hybrid: Somewhere Between Solid and Sleepy

The challenge with the Forester Hybrid is that it doesn’t really feel like a new chapter. It’s a continuation of everything Subaru’s been doing; it just is a bit quieter at low speeds and has a slightly better fuel bill at the end of the week.

Yes, the powertrain is smoother than the old CVT-only version. Yes, the interior is spacious, with comfortable seating front and rear. And yes, the cargo space is solid, though slightly reduced in the hybrid due to battery placement. But there’s a nagging feeling that none of it is particularly memorable.

The steering, while direct, can feel a bit too light and twitchy, especially on the highway. The brakes are fine, nothing more. And while you won’t get much engine noise under normal conditions, the hybrid drivetrain sometimes makes unpredictable noises that remind you it’s still working out the kinks.

The Forester Hybrid is the sort of SUV you tolerate more than enjoy. It isn’t offensive or bad in any way, but you won’t find yourself looking back at it as you walk from the parking lot or itching to drive it on a Saturday morning. It is the kind of SUV you recommend to your in-laws because you know it won’t cause problems, even if it won’t stir the soul.

The Biggest Miss: Infotainment That Belongs in 2018

And then there’s the touchscreen. Subaru insists on sticking with its vertically oriented 11.6-inch infotainment system. It looks impressive when the car is off, big, clean, and modern. But fire it up and the experience becomes an exercise in patience.

Menus are poorly organized, responsiveness is laggy, and boot-up times feel like you’ve turned on an old desktop computer. This is especially annoying in the heat of Texas Summer, as your AC controls are also on this screen. Even basic functions like switching from Apple CarPlay to the home screen involve too many taps, and wireless smartphone connections are hit or miss.

If you’re an Android user, you’re stuck with your maps on the center screen only, the driver’s display won’t mirror it. Apple CarPlay users get a better experience, but even then, the system’s layout and speed are years behind the competition. And while Subaru’s built-in navigation and voice controls exist, most drivers will probably abandon them after the first use.

It’s the sort of tech that actively undermines the car’s otherwise sensible packaging. Subaru’s buyers might forgive a little blandness in styling or a slow 0–60 time. But in 2025, a bad infotainment system isn’t just annoying, it’s inexcusable.

Forester Hybrid: At a Glance

Powertrain: 2.5L flat-four + dual-motor hybrid
Horsepower: 194 hp
Fuel Economy: ~35 mpg combined
0–60 mph: ~8.6 seconds
Drive Type: All-wheel drive (standard)
Interior Space: Comfortable, with great visibility
Tech & Infotainment: Poor interface, slow system, frustrating daily use
Price as Tested: $36,415

Should You Buy The Subaru Forester Hybrid

There’s something to admire about Subaru’s discipline. The Forester Hybrid doesn’t try to be something it’s not. It’s an honest SUV with decent fuel economy, usable space, and go-anywhere confidence. For that, it deserves credit.

But in this segment, it’s no longer enough to be honest. The competition, Toyota’s RAV4 Hybrid, Honda’s CR-V Hybrid, and even the Hyundai Tucson, offer more polish, more performance, and far better infotainment systems for similar money.

In the end, the 2025 Forester Premium Hybrid is exactly what you’d expect from Subaru. Unfortunately, that’s also its biggest flaw. You’ll get there safely and efficiently, but you won’t remember the trip.

Photos Courtesy of Subaru