Bury everything you believe about hybrid SUVs. The Forester® Premium Hybrid is neither slow nor soft, and you never have to plug it in. It combines Subaru’s 2.5L BOXER® engine, electric motor, and small battery to provide an estimated 194 net system horsepower and around 35 MPG net (about 20% more efficient than the gas-powered Forester), while still offering our standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and all of the roominess you’ve come to count on. It’s the most efficient Forester® ever built in America for people who want hybrid savings but not the hybrid lifestyle, and with the Premium trim, you also get the big 11.6-inch screen, wireless charging pad, and panoramic moonroof all as standard.
This is a traditional Series/Parallel hybrid, not a plug-in: the 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery gets recharged via regenerative braking and extra power from the gas engine, so there’s no charging cord, range anxiety, or garage outlet. The electric motor helps out the 2.5L BOXER on acceleration, in stop-and-go, and at low-speed cruise on US-75 and the North Dallas Tollway-exactly where you need better fuel efficiency.
Total output is estimated at 194 horsepower, slightly more than the gas model at 180, while electric torque fills in the low-end spectrum for a smoother, quieter burst of acceleration. The battery is stored under the cargo area so it doesn’t sacrifice passenger or storage capacity; light towing is still available when properly equipped (check with us on your trailer’s exact hybrid rating).
The Gas Premium is the value proposition: less money at the time of purchase, the same powertrain, same features. The Premium Hybrid has a higher first cost, but pays at the pump, at around 35 MPG combined, as opposed to roughly 29 MPG for gas, saving money very quickly for high-mileage drivers. Above the Premium Hybrid, the Sport Hybrid adds bronze 19-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, Star Tex water-repellent seats, Harman Kardon audio, and Reverse Automatic Braking; the Limited Hybrid adds leather seats and a power liftgate. If you drive more than 15,000 miles a year and want the most efficient hybrid, the Premium is the most efficient choice. If you rarely take long trips and have low annual miles, the gas Premium could make more sense.
In the Forester family, the new hybrid technology and hybrid services – some dealers don’t have quite enough experience to be experts. At Ewing Subaru of Plano, our team has been trained on the 2026 hybrid system; we have these Premium Hybrids in stock in many colors; and our service department has the factory-certified technicians and equipment to service this new hybrid system.
We’ll show you real-time market data for your trade-in, explain all hybrid registration details, and demonstrate the mode-switching in the powertrain before you even sit in it. No surprises, no hybrid premiums – just a clean sheet to buy from. Check out our current inventory online, and request a test drive at Ewing Subaru of Plano to experience the electric torque firsthand.
Does the Forester Hybrid require charging? Is it a Plug-in?
No – the Forester Hybrid is a series-parallel full hybrid, not a plug-in hybrid. The lithium-ion battery pack has a 1.1 kWh capacity and is rechargeable on the go through regenerative braking and excess energy from the gas engine, so you don’t need to plug it into an outlet or install a home charger. The hybrid’s electric motor helps the gas engine during acceleration and low-speed driving, and even allows for creeping in electric mode at very low speeds. It uses regular unleaded, just like the conventional gas Forester, with the only difference being the hybrid system covered under Subaru’s powertrain warranty and maintenance isn’t needed.
What is the MPG and range of the Forester Hybrid, and how does it compare in savings to the gas one?
The combined EPA ratings of the Forester Hybrid will be around 35 MPG, while the gas-powered Forester gets a combined average of 29 MPG. This means that the Forester Hybrid is approximately 20% more efficient than the gas model – assuming a driving habit of 15,000 miles a year, the difference can make an impact at the gas pump and increase your range per tank fill-up over 550 miles so that you do not have to stop as often during your vacation from Plano to the Texas Hill Country.
What power and towing capacity do hybrid and gas-powered Foresters offer?
Interestingly, the power is actually increased – while the hybrid version of the car has a total power output of 194 horsepower compared to 180 horsepower of the gas one, the hybrid uses its electric engine to produce low-speed torque right away so that it accelerates better and faster. The hybrid can be towed, although the maximum weight is limited; if you think that you will be towing close to the maximum of the gas version (1500 lbs), ask the dealer about your hybrid’s towing capacity as there are different ratings for hybrids.
What’s the difference between Premium Hybrid, Sport Hybrid and Limited Hybrid?
All three are powered by the same ~$194-hp hybrid powertrain, feature the standard Symmetrical AWD, and return 35 MPG. Premium Hybrid is the “bang for the buck”: 11.6″ wireless Car Play/Android Auto, wireless charging, heated seats, and a panoramic moonroof. Sport Hybrid (our pick) offers bronze 19″ wheels, stealthy exterior trim, StarTex water-repellent seats, Harman Kardon audio, Reverse Automatic Braking, and other goodies. Limited Hybrid offers leather seats, a power liftgate, standard blind spot monitors, and more. Our pick: Premium for efficiency at the lowest cost, Sport for style and tech, Limited for leather and luxury.
Is the hybrid worth the premium, and will the battery be costly to service or replace?
The hybrid is more expensive to buy but cheaper to operate – in the couple of hundreds of dollars you’ll spend on gas at about 35 mpg combined compared to 29 mpg in the gas model (high-mileage drivers can make up the price difference in two years). The 1.1 kWh battery is cheap and built to last the life of the car; it’s covered by the same 8-year/100,000-mile Subaru warranty as the rest of the hybrid, and would be much less expensive to replace than the big batteries in the new crop of EVs. Regular service (oil changes, brakes, tires) is nearly identical; regenerative braking even prolongs brake pad life. Over five years and 12,000 miles a year or more, it’s usually the cheaper hybrid; careful low-mileagers who trade every few years might be better off with the cheaper gas car.
