- Spy photographers have snapped the first photos of what is believed to be the Forester Hybrid.
- The blacked out prototype was spied undergoing testing in the United States and looks rather unremarkable.
- Subaru has previously said the Forester Hybrid will have a horizontally-opposed engine as well as tech from Toyota.
Subaru is no stranger to electrification, but the company has a spotty track record that includes the pricey Crosstrek Hybrid and the so-so Solterra. The latter has seen year-to-date sales skyrocket 58.6%, but the model is still the brand’s second slowest-selling vehicle behind the BRZ.
However, Subaru is about to get serious about electrification as they’re working on an all-new Forester Hybrid. Spy photographers appear to have snapped the first pictures of it today as they caught a blacked out prototype on a morning stroll. While the crossover screams Ford Police Interceptor Utility louder than it does Subaru hybrid, there’s little doubt what this prototype is all about.
More: Subaru Turns To Toyota For New Forester Hybrid
Unfortunately, details are few and far between and there doesn’t appear to be any styling changes. In spite of that, Subaru recently stated “we will introduce a next-generation hybrid version of the Forester based on [the] Toyota Hybrid System, which will be a Subaru distinctive HEV featuring the horizontally-opposed engine.”
The company went on to say production of next-generation hybrid transaxles will begin this fall with production of hybrid vehicles following around early 2025. Roughly a year later, the automaker will begin Forster Hybrid production at the Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) plant.
It’s also worth noting the Forester isn’t the only hybrid on the horizon as the model will share its powertrain with the Crosstrek. Subaru has said the two new hybrids will “ensure flexibility in our product offerings and provide more choices for our customers.”
While there are more questions than answers at this point, the 2025 Forester has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine with 180 hp (134 kW / 183 PS) and 178 lb-ft (241 Nm) of torque. It’s paired to a continuously variable transmission and a standard all-wheel drive system, which enables the crossover to return up to 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined.
