Subaru's 2025 Forester is going green

And the Crosstrek Hybrid will join it with a new kind of hybrid system.

JayLeno

Dec 29, 2024 - 08:27

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Subaru has confirmed its upcoming hybrid lineup will include two of the brand's staple nameplates as an electrified variant: the redesigned 2025 Forester and the 2025 Crosstrek, which itself received a new generation in 2024. This is the first time the Subaru Forester Hybrid will be available in North America, whereas the Crosstrek has previously featured an electrified option.

A unique hybrid setup will likely power the Forester

While Subaru has only provided details about the Crosstrek Hybrid, it’s likely the Forester Hybrid will share the same powertrain. This setup includes a 1.1-kilowatt-hour battery paired with two electric motors: one for driving the wheels and another serving as a generator that operates alongside the engine.

Together, the electric motors are good for an output of 118 horsepower. The system sits inside a new transaxle that supports a front differential gear mated to a classic Subaru 2.5-liter flat-four engine, continuing the tradition of stuffing a Boxer engine under the hood.

What sets this hybrid powertrain apart is its “series-parallel” power delivery, which, depending on the drive circumstance, uses either the engine or the electric motor for propulsion.

The Forester and Crosstrek are already economic performers

The 2025 Subaru Forester boasts impressive fuel economy, earning an EPA rating of 26 mpg city / 33 mpg highway from the non-hybrid 2.5-liter Boxer engine.

Likewise, the 2025 Crosstrek nets a 1 mpg improvement in the city with the same highway rating. Opting for the off-road-ready Wilderness trim will drop the fuel economy. Now that hybrids are coming, it’s possible that either model could break 40 mpg.

Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but expect them to cost significantly more than their non-hybrid counterparts.

Third time’s the charm?

The Subaru Crosstrek has been down this road before, offering an electrified powertrain in its previous two generations. The first gen used a more typical hybrid setup, while the second offered a plug-in option with a greater EV range.

Could this new "series-parallel” system be the one that stays? If so, what trims will it be offered on? Hybrid powertrains have become standard on higher trim levels in popular offerings such as the Honda CR-V and Honda Civic while for the 2025 Camry, the only engine on offer is a hybrid.

Final thoughts

Subaru has not announced a launch date for the Forester and Crosstrek Hybrids but has clarified that it will be available for the 2025 model year. We'd likely expect it to arrive in the coming months.

If prices remain affordable and fuel mileage increases considerably, the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid and Crosstrek Hybrid could be an enticing prospect for buyers.