For most hybrids, the first thing you notice is the label and the eco-friendly styling. The Forester Sport Hybrid takes the exact opposite approach. It’s got bronze 19-inch wheels, a gloss-black grille, and Star Tex water-repellent seats – the same look as the gas Sport – but under the hood there’s Subaru’s most fuel-efficient engine ever: a 2.5L BOXER paired with an electric motor for a combined estimated 194 horsepower and around 35 combined miles per gallon. The hybrid for people who want better fuel economy but don’t want to look like it, and it’s on our lot now!
The Premium Hybrid is the efficiency value champ. Our Sport Hybrid outperforms:
It’s all powered by the same 35-MPG hybrid drive system and standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.
The cheapest way to drive Forester Hybrid driving is Premium Hybrid – same 35 MPG, same 194 hp, but almost no style and tech upgrades. For $900 more, Sport Hybrid has the bronze wheels, StarTex, Harman Kardon, reverse auto braking, and dual-function X-MODE. The gas Sport has a fairly terrible 29 mpg combined, but saves the money on the sticker and only looks slightly different. That small difference between 29 and 35 adds up quickly, especially if you’re racking up 12,000 miles a year or more. What’s the sweet spot for sporty hybrid looks, efficiency, and price? The Sport Hybrid. What is the cheapest, cheap enough to fill up often, hybrid? The Premium Hybrid.
It’s one of those vehicles that you don’t really realize how amazing it is until you’ve driven it – the electric torque makes it seem more powerful than the gas-powered model (and quieter in the city). At Ewing Subaru of Plano, we always keep both the hybrid and gas Sport models in stock to compare side by side.
We’ll show you how the hybrid system alternates between electric and gas. We’ll get you an accurate valuation based on real-time market conditions. We’ll give you honest, straightforward financing options.
Our technicians are factory-trained on this unique hybrid system so you don’t have to worry about after-sale worries. No pressure sales environment; just an even comparison. Explore our inventory online and then take advantage of back-to-back test drives at Ewing Subaru of Plano.
What does the Sport Hybrid add over the Premium Hybrid?
All have the same turbocharged 2.0-liter hybrid powertrain with 194 horsepower, standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, and an average of about 35 mpg combined. The Sport Hybrid adds bronze-finish wheels 19 inches in diameter, a gloss-black grille, Star Tex water-repellent upholstery, dual-function X-MODE with Hill Descent Control, paddle shifters, and sport exterior design accents. It includes equipment that costs extra on the Premium Hybrid: an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system and Reverse Automatic Braking, while providing standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. If the styling and higher-tech equipment appeal to you, go for the Sport Hybrid; if hybrid is all you need at the lowest available price, save money with the Premium Hybrid.
Will the Sport Hybrid have the same gas mileage as other Forester Hybrids?
Almost, yes – The EPA combined estimate for all Forester Hybrid models, including the Sport Hybrid, is actually about 35 MPG combined. Larger wheels and sportier rubber on the Sport slightly diminish the real-world MPG estimate – around 1-2 MPG at most – but the actual difference between a standard 17-inch wheel and a sportier set is completely irrelevant for most drivers. Instead, the hybrid powertrain’s real fuel-saving contributions are achieved through the use of the electric motor-assisted powertrain and regenerative braking, not the wheel diameter. If fuel economy is your top priority, the smaller-wheeled Premium Hybrid actually has a slight advantage, but the on-the-street differences are immaterial.
Is it better to choose the Sport Hybrid or buy the Premium Hybrid for less?
It depends on how much you prefer to stand out and have the extra features. The Premium Hybrid offers the same 35-MPG efficiency and approx. 194-hp performance for a bit less, but you’ll have to sacrifice the bronze wheels, glossy black grille, Star Tex upholstery, Harman Kardon audio, and Reverse Automatic Braking (some of those features are available as options). The Sport Hybrid comes with everything as standard, and if you plan to keep it long term and want the premium look and convenience, the Sport Hybrid is a better value. If you’re a lower-mileage driver who is only concerned about savings at the pump, the Premium Hybrid makes more financial sense. We have both models here at Ewing Subaru of Plano – compare them side by side!
Is the Sport Hybrid similar to the gas Sport, and what about the Sport Onyx Edition?
All three share the Sport’s bronze/black styling theme. The gas Sport delivers the 180-hp 2.5L engine with an estimated 29 combined MPG. The Sport Hybrid delivers the 194-hp hybrid system with an estimated 35 combined MPG, along with the added benefits of the Harman Kardon audio system and Reverse Automatic Braking. The Sport Onyx Edition (gas only) replaces the Sport’s brightwork with black accents such as all-black 19-inch wheels, black underguards, and gets a unique Black/Gray Star Tex interior. For the lowest out-the-door cost, go with the gas Sport; for a great combo of efficiency and sport style, go with the Sport Hybrid, and for the aggressive look, go with the Onyx. If you’re a high-mileage driver, the hybrid will quickly pay for itself.
Is the Sport Hybrid a good commuter, and how does it drive?
The best choice of any of the Forester models for bumper-to-bumper traffic on US-75 or the Dallas North Tollway. The electric motor kicks in to boost at low speeds and during acceleration, making this car quieter and smoother than the gas version in the heavy traffic I encountered, and it slows down – and recharges – with the help of regenerative braking. Power is equivalent to about 194 horsepower, so it doesn’t feel painfully sluggish at stoplights like the 180-horsepower gas Sport, and you should be able to forget about gas station stops, with around 35 miles per gallon combined.
