A Guide to Subaru Hybrid Vehicles
Electrification is more than just a buzzword in the automotive business. It enables manufacturers to provide a greener, cleaner, and more efficient option for you. This year, Subaru will introduce a new generation of hybrid vehicles that will meet these goals—the 2025 Forester Hybrid and 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid—two familiar vehicles with a new, cleaner driveline made for adventure.
The new hybrid driveline is called e-BOXER. Both the 2025 Forester and 2026 Crosstrek will get the same 2.5-liter BOXER engine combined with electric motors drawing from a high-capacity Lithium-Ion battery. As with all Crosstreks and Foresters, the hybrid engine is connected to the Lineartronic continuously variable transmission and the Symmetrical all-wheel drive. Even with the battery pack and the BOXER engine, you still get a lower center of gravity compared to other hybrid vehicles in their respective classes.
Hybrid drivelines work towards reducing the impact on the environment. They have long been lauded for their reduced reliance on gasoline, and plug-in models incorporate electric power, resulting in fewer emissions. Eco-conscious drivers who choose a hybrid can feel good about contributing fewer pollutants to the atmosphere without having to sacrifice safety, performance, and versatility.
Driving a hybrid should result in long-term savings on gasoline use and overall vehicle maintenance. You will see better-than-average fuel economy, which translates into a longer driving range. Plus, the exhaust system produces lower emissions compared to other models.
Performance also is increased. The 2025 Forester and 2026 Crosstrek have a combined net horsepower rating of 194, which is an increase from the standard rating on non-hybrid versions of the 2.5-liter BOXER engine. You may find an increase in acceleration thanks to the instant torque the electric motor provides from idle. That also comes into play on the highway when you need to pass or merge. You can also switch the 2025 Forester and 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid into EV mode, which locks out the gasoline engine to run solely off the battery. That usually works at lower speeds, such as within a neighborhood.
Unlike the Solterra electric vehicle, there is no need to plug in a 2025 Forester and 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid. The battery gets its energy through regeneration by braking. In turn, the battery serves as a source of energy at lower speeds and at idle. The system seamlessly transitions between the gasoline engine and the electric motor depending on throttle pressure.
We talked about the benefits of fuel economy. A good example is the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid, which was rated to earn an EPA-estimated rating of 35 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined. This is an improvement of 10 mpg in city fuel economy – up to 40% better fuel economy than the non-hybrid model. That also gives you up to 581 miles of range on a single tank of fuel.
Throughout 2025, Ewing Subaru of Plano will welcome the next chapter in electrification with the arrival of the 2025 Forester Hybrid and 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid. Contact us to register your interest and to see one when they arrive here at our dealership.