The Subaru Forester Hybrid AWD has been named a finalist for Fleet Car of the Year at the 2026 Fleet News Group Vehicle Awards, highlighting its mix of hybrid efficiency, all-wheel-drive capability and everyday fleet practicality.
Winners of the 2026 awards will be announced on 14 October, with the Forester competing in a category focused on vehicles that can deliver strong whole-of-life value while meeting the varied operating needs of Australian fleets.
Hybrid efficiency with AWD capability
The latest Forester Hybrid AWD is powered by Subaru’s next-generation strong hybrid system, combining a 2.5-litre Boxer engine with a 90kW electric motor to produce 145kW of total system output.
Unlike some efficiency-focused models, the Forester retains Subaru’s traditional emphasis on capability, with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, 220mm of ground clearance and X-Mode.
That combination gives the Forester the flexibility to handle a broad mix of fleet applications, from metropolitan driving and daily business use through to regional operations and more demanding environments.
Subaru also claims a theoretical driving range of more than 1,000km, calculated using ADR fuel consumption figures and fuel tank capacity.
For fleets covering significant distances, the combination of hybrid efficiency and long range could make the Forester particularly relevant where charging infrastructure or operating patterns make a fully electric vehicle less practical.
The hybrid system also offers improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, giving fleet operators another option as they look to lower operating costs and progress sustainability targets without compromising vehicle versatility.
Built around broad fleet requirements
The Forester’s finalist position also reflects the broader requirements facing fleet buyers.
Safety, practicality, operating flexibility and access to reliable servicing and support can be just as important as fuel consumption or powertrain technology when vehicles are expected to remain productive over several years.
Subaru Australia says its nationwide retailer network provides servicing and support throughout the vehicle lifecycle, while the Forester’s safety technologies and all-wheel-drive capability add to its suitability for organisations operating across varied environments.
Scott Lawrence, General Manager of Subaru Australia, said the Forester Hybrid AWD had been designed to balance the attributes fleet operators increasingly expect from an SUV.
“We’re delighted to see the Forester Hybrid AWD recognised as a finalist for Fleet Car of the Year,” Lawrence said.
“Fleet customers need vehicles that balance safety, efficiency, capability and long-term value. The Forester Hybrid AWD brings these attributes together in a practical hybrid SUV, making it well suited to a wide range of fleet applications across Australia.”
With fleet operators balancing emissions reduction, safety, whole-of-life cost and operational requirements, the Forester Hybrid AWD enters the Fleet Car of the Year final as a versatile hybrid SUV designed to bridge those competing priorities.
The winner of the 2026 Fleet Car of the Year will be announced on 14 October.
