Driven: 2025 Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid
While our sister-site 95Octane headed to Oregon’s woods to test the new Subaru Forester Wilderness, we stuck to Chicago and its suburbs with the everyday Forester Touring Hybrid. Subaru is now offering its popular compact SUV with a fuel-efficient powertrain that puts it toe-to-toe with the competition, while retaining everything that makes it a Subaru.
The Subaru Forester has been a go-to for drivers who want a small SUV that can handle bad weather and backroads without looking like it’s trying too hard. We spent time behind the wheel of the top-tier Touring Hybrid, and it’s safe to say this rugged-looking crossover keeps its feet firmly planted in Subaru territory while nudging into premium territory in some surprisingly welcome ways.
In terms of styling, the Forester Hybrid doesn’t scream "green car" at you (other than its beautiful Autumn Green Metallic paint) It still has the upright, squared-off look that’s made it a favorite among outdoorsy types and pragmatic city dwellers alike. Our tester was equipped with a black roof, gloss black roof rails, and dark gray 19-inch alloy wheels that hint at the Touring Hybrid’s upscale aspirations. The exterior isn’t flashy, but it’s purposeful and confident in its proportions.
Under the hood is a next-gen hybrid system that pairs Subaru’s 2.5-liter BOXER engine with two electric motor generators and a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup makes 194 horsepower — modest on paper, but with electric torque filling in the gaps, it feels livelier than the non-hybrid model, especially off the line. It uses a Lineartronic CVT, and Subaru’s done a decent job simulating stepped shifts for a more natural feel. With a 0-to-60 time of 8.6 seconds, it won’t win any drag races but feels responsive in everyday driving. More importantly, the Forester Hybrid earns an impressive 35 mpg across the board and can go up to 581 miles on a full tank.
On pavement, the Forester Touring Hybrid delivers that familiar Subaru feel. It's solid, planted, and reassuring. Steering is more direct than you’d expect from a compact crossover, with quick response and good feedback. The suspension is tuned for comfort, absorbing potholes and speed bumps without fuss, but it still feels composed in corners. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance and Subaru’s X-MODE for snow, dirt, or deep mud, it can handle rough trails better than most vehicles in this segment. It’s not a full-blown off-roader like the Forester Wilderness, but it’ll get you to your campsite without breaking a sweat.
Inside, the Touring Hybrid makes a strong case for itself as a near-luxury compact SUV. The perforated leather and suede seats are both heated and ventilated up front. The seating position is upright, offering excellent visibility thanks to slim A-pillars. Materials feel deliberate rather than indulgent, with soft suede insets on the doors, bronze contrast stitching, and a hexagonal trim detail across the passenger side of the dash. The sunroof brings in a lot of light but stops short of the second row like larger panoramic units.
The SUV's tech is both impressive and slightly frustrating. Subaru’s vertically-oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen controls just about everything. While it looks crisp and offers deep levels of customization, including things like cruise control acceleration aggressiveness, it can also be sluggish and overly complicated. Thankfully, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard if you prefer those familiar interfaces, and the Harman Kardon audio system punches well above its weight with crisp highs and solid bass. A wireless charging pad is included, though it’s finicky and often required repositioning the phone to remain connected.
The Forester's 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is bright and configurable, and the Touring model also gets a digital rearview mirror — a big help when cargo or passengers block your line of sight. Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance suite adds adaptive cruise, lane centering, and a Driver Monitoring System that uses facial recognition to store individual driver profiles. It’s not hands-free, but it’s one of the more intuitive driver assistance systems out there.
The second row is generously sized. Adults over six feet will have no problem getting comfortable, and the rear seats recline for longer trips. Legroom and headroom are both excellent, and dual USB-A and USB-C ports keep back seat passenger gear juiced up. The outboard rear seats are nicely heated for keeping backs and backsides toasty on chilly fall and winter days.
At 27.5 cubic feet, the cargo area behind the second row is ample for gear, groceries, or weekend trips, and the 60/40 rear seats fold flat for larger items. Maximum cargo space is rated at 69.1 cubic feet. We also dig the Forester-branded cargo mat with its topographical pattern. There’s one small downside to the Hybrid model: there’s no spare tire since the hybrid battery lives beneath the cargo floor. Instead, you get an inflation kit, a less-than-ideal compromise if you venture off pavement.
All said, the 2025 Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid hits a sweet spot. It’s a practical, comfortable, and fuel-efficient crossover with just enough capability to get you out of town, and just enough polish to make the trip enjoyable. Pricing starts at $41,695, and the one tested here came in at $43,610 with destination and paint upgrades. If you’re looking for an efficient all-wheel-drive SUV with real-world usability and a dash of character, the new Forester Hybrid should definitely be on your test drive list.
