The sixth-generation Subaru Forester has been detailed for the Australian market, ahead of its local release later this year, and the big news is there will be multiple variants available with all-new Toyota-derived hybrid powertrain tech.
Making its official Australian public debut in Melbourne this weekend, the new Forester has been on sale in overseas markets including North America since the second quarter of 2024.
The all-new mid-size SUV will make its way to Australia in seven distinct variants, comprising four non-hybrid petrol grades – powered by the same 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder boxer engine as the existing model – and three hybrid variants using Subaru’s new “strong hybrid” powertrain.
Local pricing for the updated Forester is yet to be announced, but a detailed list of standard features and some mechanical specifications are now available.
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While the petrol engines are unchanged, the new Forester’s headline upgrade is its hybrid powertrain, much like the Crosstrek S:HEV small SUV. While a hybrid version was available with the outgoing model, the new system boasts increased power outputs and battery capacity, culminating in a claimed range of more than 1000km between refills.
Both powertrains still send power through a Lineartronic ‘eight-speed’ continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to all four wheels using Subaru’s longstanding ‘symmetrical’ all-wheel drive system, separating it from the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
The Forester is still based on the Subaru Global Platform, but rigidity is claimed to have been improved by 10 per cent. Inside, the latest in Subaru’s infotainment technology has been fitted, in the form of an 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen display.
A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster will be reserved for the top two hybrid grades, marking the first time a digital cluster has been available in a Forester in Australia. Previous models were limited to a small digital information panel between analogue gauges.
Subaru says full specifications and pricing will be announced closer to the model’s launch later this year as a 2026 model. Those interested in the new Forester can now register their interest here.
Pricing
Local pricing for the fresh Forester range is yet to be confirmed, though we can look to the outgoing model and overseas markets for an idea.
In Australia, the fifth-generation Forester’s petrol range starts at $38,690 before on-roads for the base 2.5i and tops out at $47,140 before on-roads for the 2.5i-S – excluding the STI Sport special edition priced at $48,640 before on-roads.
There are two hybrids available, the Hybrid L and Hybrid S, which cost $44,090 and $50,140 before on-roads respectively.
In the US, the base Forester is priced at US$29,995 (around A$47,900), while the cheapest Premium Hybrid costs US$34,995 (around $55,900), putting them roughly on par with US-market RAV4s.
While we can’t compare previous-generation Forester pricing in the US, we can look to other Subaru models for an estimate. The Crosstrek, for example, starts at US$25,810 (around A$41,200) in North America, while the Australian equivalent costs US$35,490 before on-roads – a difference of roughly $6000 once converted.
If Subaru Australia follows suit, the MY26 Forester could start at around $41,000 before on-roads here, and the hybrid could start at around $49,000. For context, a base all-wheel drive Toyota RAV4 GX eFour costs $45,260 before on-roads.
Drivetrains and Efficiency
Though the 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder boxer engine from the previous Forester has been carried over, Subaru Australia has yet to confirm local outputs for any powertrain.
Overseas model shown
| Specifications | Subaru Forester petrol | Subaru Forester Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5L naturally aspirated boxer 4cyl petrol | 2.5L naturally aspirated boxer 4cyl petrol |
| Engine outputs | TBC | TBC |
| Electric motor outputs | – | 88kW |
| System outputs | – | TBC |
| Battery | – | 1.1kWh |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Kerb weight | TBC | TBC |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | TBC | TBC |
| Fuel tank capacity | TBC | TBC |
| Fuel requirement | TBC | TBC |
| CO2 emissions | TBC | TBC |
To give you an idea of the upgrade the Forester Hybrid has received, the outgoing model utilises an electric motor producing just 12kW of power and 66Nm of torque to supplement its smaller 2.0-litre boxer four, which produces 100kW and 196Nm on its own.
The 2.5-litre engine in the outgoing Forester produces 136kW/239Nm in Australia. Subaru USA quotes outputs of 180hp (134kW) and 178lb-ft (241Nm) for its updated petrol Forester and a total system power output of 194hp (145kW) for the hybrid.
Dimensions
Subaru Australia hasn’t outlined dimensions for the new Forester, but we can look to overseas models for some measurements.
| Dimensions | Subaru Forester |
|---|---|
| Length | 4655mm (+15mm) |
| Width | 1828mm (+13mm) |
| Height | 1730mm |
| Wheelbase | 2670mm |
| Ground clearance | 220mm |
Length, width, height, and wheelbase measurements are for Foresters delivered in the North American market, and the difference is compared to current Foresters delivered locally.
Servicing and Warranty
Subaru Australia backs its lineup with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, along with an eight-year, 160,000km warranty for the high-voltage batteries of its electric and hybrid vehicles.
Servicing information for the updated Forester has yet to be detailed.
Safety
The updated Subaru Forester is yet to receive an ANCAP safety rating, but it was awarded five stars by sister organisation Euro NCAP.
| Category | Subaru Forester (Euro NCAP) |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 83 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 89 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 86 per cent |
| Safety assist | 72 per cent |
Standard safety equipment includes:
- 9 airbags, including:
- Far-side (NEW)
- Front passenger seat cushion (NEW)
- Surround-view camera
- Autonomous emergency braking with reverse function
- Driver monitoring system
- Front-side sensor
- Subaru EyeSight
- Wide-angle monocular camera (NEW)
- Emergency driving stop system (NEW)
Standard Equipment
While there will be seven distinct grades of the new Forester, there will be four trim levels and the three hybrids will share a lot of the same standard equipment as their petrol-only equivalents.
Subaru Forester Touring 
2025 Subaru Forester equipment highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Ladder-style roof rails
- ‘X-Mode’ with one drive mode
- Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) with two modes
- 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wireless Android Auto
- Wireless phone charger
- Heated front seats
Forester Premium adds:
- Powered tailgate with kick sensor
- 8-way power-adjustable front seats with lumbar
- Satellite navigation
- Auto-folding side mirrors
Forester Sport adds:
- Dark metallic 18-inch alloy wheels
- Electric sunroof
- ‘X-Mode’ with two drive modes
- Black front grille with green insert
- Green badging
- Water-repellent synthetic leather upholstery
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Green interior stitching
Forester Touring adds:
- Gloss black front grille, front and rear bumper accents, side mirrors
- Low-profile roof rails
- Leather and suede upholstery in black or brown
- Ventilated front seats
- 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with subwoofer
Subaru Forester Sport Touring 
Forester Hybrid adds (over base Forester):
- Sports regeneration steering wheel paddles
Forester Sport Hybrid adds (over Forester Sport):
- Bronze 19-inch alloy wheels
- “Enhanced suspension for improved comfort on bumpy roads”
- Bronze exterior accents
- Low-profile roof rails
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with subwoofer
Forester Touring Hybrid adds (over Forester Touring):
- Dark grey machined gloss finish 19-inch alloy wheels
