

Andrew Maclean
4 Days Ago
News Editor
The new-generation Subaru Forester will be pricier than its predecessor, but fitted with more standard kit and a much more impressive hybrid powertrain.
UPDATED 21/07/2025 9:00am: We’ve updated this article, first published on May 28, 2025, with service pricing, ANCAP safety scores, and additional imagery. Our launch review of the updated Forester is also live here.
Subaru Australia expects strong demand for both petrol and hybrid powertrains, though it says wait times will be kept to a “reasonable minimum”.
The new mid-size SUV comes 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.
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Boasting greater power and battery capacity and reduced fuel consumption than the old Forester Hybrid, it offers a claimed range of more than 1000km between refills.
The base price has climbed by $4800, however, the new entry-level grade – renamed simply AWD – gains features such as heated front seats, a larger 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring, larger alloy wheels, and Subaru’s driver monitoring system.
A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is reserved for the top two hybrid grades, marking the first time a digital cluster has been available in a Forester in Australia.
New safety equipment across the range include an emergency driving stop system, a wide-angle monocular camera, and two additional airbags.
Model | Price before on-road costs |
---|---|
2026 Subaru Forester AWD | $43,490 |
2026 Subaru Forester AWD Premium | $46,490 |
2026 Subaru Forester AWD Hybrid | $46,490 |
2026 Subaru Forester AWD Sport | $48,490 |
2026 Subaru Forester AWD Touring | $50,990 |
2026 Subaru Forester AWD Hybrid Sport | $54,990 |
2026 Subaru Forester AWD Hybrid Touring | $55,990 |
The outgoing Forester was priced from $38,690 before on-road costs for the base 2.5i and $50,140 before on-roads for the flagship Hybrid S.
There’s a new e-Boxer ‘Strong Hybrid’ powertrain available, while the carryover petrol engine has received some enhancements.
Specifications | Subaru Forester petrol | Subaru Forester Hybrid |
---|---|---|
Engine | 2.5L naturally aspirated boxer 4cyl petrol | 2.5L naturally aspirated boxer 4cyl petrol |
Engine power | 136kW | 121kW |
Engine torque | 247Nm | 212Nm |
Electric motor outputs | – | 90kW |
System outputs | – | 145kW |
Battery | – | 1.1kWh |
Transmission | CVT | – |
Drive type | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
Kerb weight | 1622-1651kg | 1717-1766kg |
Fuel economy (claimed) | 7.9L/100km | 6.2L/100km |
Fuel tank capacity | 63L | 63L |
Fuel requirement | 91-octane regular unleaded | 91-octane regular unleaded |
CO2 emissions | 180g/km | 140g/km |
Emissions standard | Euro 6c | Euro 6c |
Braked towing capacity | 1800kg | 1200kg |
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.
It also upgrades from a 48-litre fuel tank to a 63L one, while combined cycle fuel consumption has been reduced by 0.5L/100km compared with the outgoing hybrid.
That means the Forester Hybrid is still thirstier than, for example, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid which consumes 4.8L/100km.
The hybrid features Subaru’s TH2B hybrid transaxle, with a planetary gearseat and a secondary electric motor/generator to handle engine starts and battery recharging.
A transaxle damper replaces the traditional torque converter, and unlike the CVT in the petrol Forester there are no pulleys or chains – power delivery is instead managed by the electric motor and planetary gear set.
The petrol Forester has the same power output as its predecessor, though torque is up by 8Nm and the CVT has a broader gear ratio range with lower first and reverse gears to aid hill climbing.
Subaru also claims it has reduced noise, vibration and harshness and improved the engine’s reliability and responsiveness.
The Forester rides on MacPherson strut front and double-wishbone rear suspension.
The new Forester is 15mm longer and 11mm wider than its predecessor.
Dimensions | Subaru Forester |
---|---|
Length | 4655mm |
Width | 1830mm |
Height | 1730mm |
Wheelbase | 2670mm |
Ground clearance | 220mm |
All petrol models have a spare wheel with hybrids having a tyre repair kit, however, a towbar-mounted spare wheel carrier (pictured) is optional, as is a full-size spare wheel.
Subaru Australia backs its lineup with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, along with an eight-year, 160,000km warranty for the hybrid’s battery.
Servicing and Warranty | Subaru Forester |
---|---|
Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
Roadside assistance | 12 months |
Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
Average annual service cost over 5 years | $459.80 |
Total capped-price service cost | $2299 |
Subaru’s capped-price service costs have been outlined below. They’re the same for petrols and Hybrids.
Service | Price |
---|---|
1yr, 15,000km | $347.95 |
2yrs, 30,000km | $520.45 |
3yrs, 45,000km | $393.10 |
4yrs, 60,000km | $679.30 |
5yrs, 75,000km | $358.20 |
The Subaru Forester wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP in 2024. This applies to both powertrains.
Category | Subaru Forester |
---|---|
Adult occupant protection | 83 per cent |
Child occupant protection | 91 per cent |
Vulnerable road user protection | 86 per cent |
Safety assist | 75 per cent |
Standard safety equipment includes:
Specification differs slightly between petrol and hybrid models.
2025 Subaru Forester AWD equipment highlights:
Forester AWD Premium adds:
Forester AWD Sport adds:
Forester AWD Touring adds:
Forester AWD Hybrid adds (over base Forester):
Forester AWD Hybrid Sport adds (over Forester Sport):
Forester AWD Hybrid Touring adds (over Forester Touring):
Many options are available for the Forester, so it’s worth visiting Subaru Australia’s configurator for the full list.
Petrol Essentials Pack – Carpet ($654.71)
Petrol Protection Pack – Carpet ($849.13)
Petrol Explorer Pack – Carpet ($1840.26)
These packs are also available with rubber mats, which cost $770.24, $959.50, $1943.63 respectively.
Individual accessory highlights
There are a total of 11 exterior finishes, and none come at an additional cost.
The full colour palette comprises:
Interior colours differ across the range.
AWD, AWD Premium and AWD Hybrid variants come with a choice of either black or grey/platinum cloth upholstery.
AWD Sport and AWD Hybrid Sport grades exclusively offer water-repellant grey/black upholstery.
AWD Touring and AWD Hybrid Touring grades, which feature leather and Ultrasuede upholstery, offer a choice of either black or brown/black colourways.
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William Stopford is an automotive journalist based in Brisbane, Australia. William is a Business/Journalism graduate from the Queensland University of Technology who loves to travel, briefly lived in the US, and has a particular interest in the American car industry.
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