2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid

Performance

All 2026 Forester Hybrid trim levels are equipped with the current 2.5-liter Atkinson/Miller-cycle SUBARU BOXER® 4-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor generator and electric traction motor. Subaru says both motors are needed to provide the perfect amount of power and efficiency, with 194 combined horsepower. This is an increase of 14 horsepower over the non-hybrid Forester. Like all Forester models, the Hybrid features a Lineartronic® Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that is optimized for fuel economy and driving feel.

Naturally, as a Subaru, all models come standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The system is enhanced with standard Active Torque Vectoring and SI-Drive performance management system, allowing power to flow to where it is needed most. The result is more agile handling and better control both on and off pavement.

Thanks to a sealed lithium-ion battery, the brand-new Forester Hybrid achieves an EPA-estimated 35 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined. This means the Forester Hybrid is as much as 40% more efficient than the standard car in the city and up to 25% more efficient on the combined cycle. Drivers can see up to 581 miles of driving range.

The Forester Hybrid will be available with X-MODE, which helps maximize wheel control on slippery surfaces. Also included is Hill Descent Control, which engages at speeds under 12 mph on rough terrain and maintains vehicle speed for safer maneuvering, allowing the driver to concentrate on steering. Standard across the model line is Incline Start Assist, which briefly holds the vehicle while the driver pulls away from a stop on a hill. With 8.7 inches of standard ground clearance, the Forester Hybrid will still be formidable in all types of driving and weather conditions.

Exterior

The sixth generation features a new, sleek, and contemporary design that remains unmistakably Forester. The new grille is larger and directly adjacent to the light clusters on either side. Accenting the grille is an updated version of the Subaru star-cluster logo. The fenders now have a semi-octagonal shape, communicating the Forester’s rugged capability. The nearly vertical rear, a Forester trademark, is retained for optimized maximum cargo capacity. The convenience of accessing the cargo area is enhanced with an available Hands-Free Power Rear Gate, which can be activated by a keyfob button or by placing your foot under the rear bumper cover.

Buyers will be able to get the exclusive Daybreak Blue Pearl on the Forester Hybrid, along with the Crystal Black Silica roof color, as a perfect contrast to certain exterior paint colors. Hybrid badging will be seen on the fenders and power liftgate.

Interior

Inside, the Forester Hybrid welcomes the driver and passengers with an animal-free StarTex® seating surface on certain trim levels, which Subaru says is designed to be exceptionally durable. The 11.6-inch SUBARU STARLINK® Multimedia system found in the Outback and other Subaru models is standard in the Forester Hybrid. The front seats have been redesigned for added support, minimizing fatigue on long trips. Slimmer shoulder areas allow improved visibility and access to the rear seats.

With both seatbacks down, the cargo area offers 74.4 cubic feet of usable space. The liftgate opening is wide, with a low liftover height, making it easy to load and unload. Standard roof rails add more cargo-carrying options. Standard features across the model line include Remote Keyless Access, Tire Pressure Monitoring System with Individual Wheel Display, and Steering Responsive LED Headlights with Automatic High Beams. Available features include a wireless phone charger in the center console, an all-weather package with heated seats, mirrors, and wipers, as well as ventilated front seats.

Technology

The standard SUBARU STARLINK 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system also features Wireless Apple CarPlay® and wireless Android Auto™, so you don’t have to plug your phone in for every trip. Wireless smartphone charging is available. Additional features include Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity, AM/FM stereo, rear vision camera, SiriusXM All-Access Radio, SiriusXM Travel Link (with a 4-month free Platinum Plan), HD Radio, and over-the-air updates.

The TomTom® navigation system features voice activation and what3words capability. The what3words system divides the entire world into approximately 10-foot by 10-foot squares, each identified by three random words. This system works particularly well for rural locations that often confuse address-based systems, and is very useful in finding a location without a specific address, such as a spot on an off-road trail or a location in a stadium parking lot.

A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is also standard, allowing drivers to view all pertinent information about their Forester Hybrid.

The available SUBARU STARLINK Safety and Security Connected Services offer:

• SOS Emergency Assistance
• Enhanced Roadside Assistance
• Automatic Collision Notification
• Maintenance Notifications
• Monthly Vehicle Health Report and Diagnostic Alerts
• Stolen Vehicle Recovery Service
• Vehicle Security Alarm Notification
• Remote Lock/Unlock
• Remote Horn and Lights
• Remote Vehicle Locator
• Valet Mode
• Trip Log and Driving Journal

Safety

2026 Forester models are equipped with the latest version of the award-winning EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, which is designed to operate more smoothly, quickly, and under a greater range of conditions. The sensors and cameras that now cover a wider field of view, updated software, and an electric brake booster are now part of the system. As a result, EyeSight can identify cyclists and pedestrians at intersections earlier and more accurately, alerting the driver and, when necessary, applying brakes to avoid collisions. Additional active safety features available on the Forester include Reverse Automatic Braking, Blind-Spot Detection bundled with Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering, which can assist in avoiding a collision within a lane when the vehicle is traveling at speeds below 50 mph.

A Subaru first is Emergency Stop Assist, which engages when a driver becomes unresponsive to warnings while using Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control. Once engaged, the system will stop the vehicle, activate the hazard lights, and unlock the doors. If active, SUBARU STARLINK® Connected Services will then place a call to emergency services. On the Touring trim, the DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System uses a camera angled at the driver’s face and facial recognition software to monitor fatigue or lack of attention.

Since 2007, the Subaru Forester has been an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+. The 2026 Forester is no different, earning the best Top Safety Pick+ designation. Like the previous model, the new Forester also received an overall 5-Star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Although the Forester Hybrid has not yet undergone full crash testing, there should be no significant differences between the standard Forester and the Hybrid.