Subaru has pulled the covers off two global debuts at this year's Chicago Auto Show: the 2025 Forester Hybrid and 2025 Forester Wilderness. The automaker calls the new Forester Hybrid the best-performing Forester in the lineup while maintaining off-roadability. The new Forester Wilderness is the most rugged Forester, with upgraded suspension, upgraded all-terrain tires, and refined transmission programming for enhanced low-end torque and improved towing.
A New Forester Hybrid and Refreshed Forester Wilderness
The first-ever 2025 Forester Hybrid joins Subaru's lineup offering the most range and power of its compact crossovers. Subaru says the Forester Hybrid earns an EPA-estimated rating of 35 mpg in the city and 34 mpg highway. The standard gas model earns 26 mpg in the city, and 33 mpg on the highway. All Forester Hybrid trim levels get the latest version of Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist technology and emergency stop assist.
A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with navigation and Apple Maps compatibility in addition to a Subaru 11.6-inch Multimedia Navigation system is standard. The Forester Hybrid gets an exclusive new exterior color, Daybreak Blue Pearl, with an available contrast Crystal Black Silica roof (for certain colors).
Forester's most-capable Wilderness model gets a refresh for 2026 with more aggressive styling with updated front and rear fascias. This also has helped extend the approach angle to 23.5 degrees compared to 19 degrees; ramp breakover increases up to 21 degrees compared to 19.6 degrees; and the departure angle enhanced up to 25.5 degrees compared to 24.6 degrees.
The Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) has been revised with a shorter final drive ratio for better low-speed off-roadability and improved towing capacity. An advanced X-MODE Dual Mode system is added with snow/dirt and deep snow/mud modes. Larger, all-terrain Yokohama Geolandar tires are mounted on Wilderness-exclusive 17-inch anthracite wheels.
Subaru says an upgraded suspension offers improved stability and comfort on and off-road. An available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with Wilderness-exclusive graphics is available.
2025 Forester Hybrid Blends Subaru Reliability With Toyota Hybrid Technology
Under the hood of the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid sits a 2.5-liter Subaru Boxer engine paired with its renowned symmetrical all-wheel drive, and Toyota's hybrid system. Meshing the best components of both automakers, the system is modified for Subaru to mechanically connect the front and rear wheels for better responsiveness. The combined power output for the Forest Hybrid is 194 horsepower, up from 180 horsepower in the gas-only model, and the overall range on a full tank is estimated to be 581 miles.
I spoke with a Subaru product specialist after the press conference reveal to get some more insight on this new powertrain. The Forester Hybrid can't tow as much as the Wilderness trim, and there is no transmission cooler in the Hybrid like in the Wilderness. The Hybrid is more powerful and offers the most range at the lowest emissions. Based on part-sharing with Toyota, I asked if a plug-in hybrid model could make its way to the Forester lineup. I was told it was possible given that Toyota offers the RAV4 Prime, but nothing is confirmed a this time.
2026 Forester Wilderness Is Reinforced For Adventure
The updated Forester Wilderness uses a revised 2.5-liter Subaru Boxer engine that makes 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque available at a lower RPM for better low-end torque. The standard transmission cooler has been uprated to offer up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity (up from 1,500 pounds).
I asked the Subaru product specialist how the automaker has reinforced the Forester Wilderness to handle harsher conditions the standard model might not be exposed to. They mentioned the added skid plates for better undercarriage protection, the updated transmission programming allows the Forester Wilderness to handle more, and the 9.3 inches of ground clearance (up from 9.2 inches in 2025 models and up from 8.7 inches in the standard Forester) elevate the 2026 model from potential hazards.
Pricing for the 2025 Forester Hybrid and 2026 Forester Wilderness
Subaru says pricing and detailed specifications for the 2026 Forester Wilderness will be available when the vehicle launches in the fall.
The 2025 Forester Hybrid will arrive in spring 2025, starting at $34,995 MSRP.
The New Foresters Bring Best-In-Class Ratings And Improved Capabilities To The Table
The Forester is Subaru's best-selling model, and now it offers a more efficient hybrid model and a more capable Wilderness model with enhanced off-roadability. With best-in-class safety and reliability ratings, the 2025 Forester Hybrid and 2026 Forester Wilderness lets buyers choose between efficiency and capability without sacrificing the other.