If you’ve written off Subaru hybrids in the past, it’s time to look again. The all-new Subaru Forester Hybrid has made a leap forward with its e-Boxer powertrain, offering a refined driving experience, smarter tech, and impressive real-world efficiency. Whether you’re a fleet buyer chasing Whole of Life Cost savings, or a weekend adventurer needing comfort and capability, the new Forester Hybrid is better than ever.
Behind the Wheel: Quiet Confidence on Every Road
Straight out of the box, the new Subaru Forester Hybrid feels polished. This Touring model is fresh from the factory with less than 1,000 kilometres on the clock, yet the suspension tuning, road noise suppression and general smoothness immediately stand out.
On the freeway, it’s whisper-quiet. Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive and tuned suspension — paired with Bridgestone Turanza EL450 tyres — deliver a serene, planted feel even on poorly maintained regional roads. The hybrid powertrain (with a 2.5L boxer engine and electric motor) is seamless in its transitions, never feeling underpowered or abrupt. You’d be hard-pressed to know you’re driving a hybrid.
The steering is light yet direct, making it feel agile in the city without sacrificing confidence on winding country roads. Even at freeway speeds, there’s minimal cabin noise, making long drives a pleasure — especially in the well-bolstered and supportive Touring seats, which proved comfortable over several hours behind the wheel.
This is, quite simply, a hybrid SUV that doesn’t feel compromised.
Smarter Than Your Average SUV
Subaru has taken a big step forward with tech. One clever feature we hadn’t seen in other cars: Waze navigation directions from Apple CarPlay can now appear in the instrument cluster, so you’re not glancing sideways to follow your route. For drivers who rely on live traffic info, that’s a big safety win.
Another neat touch is the adaptive cruise control, which now reads speed signs and adjusts accordingly — including skipping over school zones if it’s outside active times. It’s thoughtful, intuitive and reduces the constant need to fiddle with controls.
Comfort features? You’re spoilt. Wireless phone charging, multiple USB ports, clever storage, and a sun visor extender to block low sun on long drives. All details that make the Forester feel road trip ready.
Fuel Economy in the Real World
Subaru claims 6.2L/100km combined, and our real-world driving experience landed at 6.1L/100km — including a mix of freeway and country road driving over 300km. That’s a significant improvement over the previous mild hybrid model, which was often criticised for underwhelming real-world efficiency.
It’s not a match for the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s industry-leading 4.8L/100km, but it’s close enough to matter, especially when paired with Subaru’s full-time AWD system. If you’re buying with snow trips or muddy job sites in mind, the Forester delivers more traction with less compromise.
Whole of Life Costs (WOLC): Where Does It Land?
Fleet buyers know the sticker price is just the beginning. Here’s how the 2025 Forester Hybrid compares against its ICE sibling and the segment leader over 48 months / 100,000 km.
The Forester Hybrid sits mid-pack. While it doesn’t undercut the RAV4 on costs or CO₂ emissions, it makes up for it with a premium cabin, legendary AWD traction, and now, genuine hybrid smoothness. For fleet buyers needing year-round drivability and employee comfort — especially in regional or snowy areas — the added value is clear.
Who Should Consider It?
- Fleet Managers: This is a great fit for staff working across metro and regional areas. It blends hybrid efficiency with genuine AWD capability, and Subaru’s strong resale values make it a safe whole-of-life cost decision.
- Novated Lease Buyers: For those chasing a premium feel without the luxury badge price, the Forester Hybrid Touring nails the brief. It’s comfortable, capable, and packed with smart features that make daily commuting or long weekends away feel easy.
- Families & Adventurers: If your weekends involve surfboards, ski gear, or regional road trips, this Subaru is a lifestyle upgrade.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring is a step change for Subaru. The e-Boxer hybrid system finally feels ready for prime time, delivering real-world fuel savings, a refined drive, and no compromise on Subaru’s core strengths — safety, AWD confidence and reliability.
While the RAV4 Hybrid still wins the spreadsheet battle, the Forester fights back with driving feel and quality. For many fleet buyers and employees, that makes it the smarter all-rounder — especially if your journey doesn’t stop when the bitumen does.
