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Subaru Leaks New Next-Generation Forester Hybrid Details

Subaru of America leaked new information on the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid. They announced it in an email to Subaru owners. Check out the details here.
2025 Subaru Forester

Subaru customers have been waiting for a Subaru Hybrid, and as I reported earlier, it's coming next spring. I covered the 2025 Forester announcement, and Subaru CEO Atsushi Osaki said a Forester Hybrid was coming. Subaru of America told owners this week in an email that they'll have to wait another year for the Forester Hybrid. 

But more interestingly, the Camden, N.J. automaker let slip that the new 2025 Forester Hybrid will be a Plug-In Hybrid. Then, they sent a corrected email saying the first email incorrectly identified comments made by Subaru President and CEO Atsushi Osaki about the 2025 Subaru Forester. 

2025 Subaru Forester Plug-In Hybrid leaked

Here is the first email Subaru of America sent to Subaru owners.

INSIDER FLASH

Subaru Forester Plug‑in Hybrid On the Way

"Ahead of the formal walk-around of the 2025 Subaru Forester at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Atsushi Osaki, President and CEO of Subaru Corporation, announced that Subaru will debut an all-new Subaru Forester Plug‑In Hybrid."

"Details haven't been announced other than to note that it's the first-ever hybrid Forester and that the Subaru Forester Plug-in Hybrid will be available about a year after the conventionally powered Forester goes on sale. The all-new Forester is expected in showrooms in Spring 2024."

2025 Subaru Forester Plug-In Hybrid front

Here is the second email Subaru of America sent to Subaru owners.

CORRECTION: Newsflash! A Forester Hybrid?

"CORRECTION: A previous version of this email incorrectly identified comments made by Subaru President and CEO Atsushi Osaki about the 2025 Subaru Forester at the LA Auto Show. Osaki confirmed a hybrid version would arrive about a year after the conventionally powered Forester goes on sale in Spring 2024, but without providing any further product details. We apologize for any confusion this may have created."

Subaru Forester Hybrid On the Way

"Ahead of the formal walk-around of the 2025 Subaru Forester at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Atsushi Osaki, President and CEO of Subaru Corporation, announced that Subaru will debut an all-new Subaru Forester Hybrid."

"Details haven't been announced other than to note that it's the first-ever hybrid Forester and that the Subaru Forester Hybrid will be available about a year after the conventionally powered Forester goes on sale. The all-new Forester is expected in showrooms in Spring 2024."

MY TAKE

Subaru didn't intend to let owners know the next-generation Forester Hybrid would be a Plug-In Hybrid. Subaru keeps things close to the vest, so it's not surprising. 

I think it's important for customers to know which Hybrid technology Forester will get for three reasons. 

1. There's a significant difference between a hybrid and a Plug-In Hybrid. 

A conventional hybrid has an internal combustion engine and an electric motor that work together to run the vehicle. Plug-in hybrids also have an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, but their chargeable batteries are utilized first. The gasoline-powered engine kicks in once the batteries are depleted.

2. Customers will get improved fuel mileage. If the 2025 Forester is a Plug-In Hybrid, it will be able to run on full electric power until the battery is depleted. A Plug-In Forester Hybrid is going to have improved overall fuel efficiency.

3. Subaru will use Toyota technology to develop the new Forester hybrid. Toyota has excellent Hybrid technology, and Subaru has the advantage of years of expertise to draw on.

The 2025 Subaru Forester will be a Plug-In Hybrid if the first email is correct. We know for sure it will arrive next spring. Stay tuned. 

This is the latest information regarding the Subaru Forester Hybrid. I'll keep you updated with any new information.

Until then, visit torquenews.com/subaru regularly and bookmark the page for my latest updates.

Your Turn

What about you? Will you wait for the Forester Hybrid? Let us know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed the Subaru Forester Hybrid story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

For additional articles related to new Subaru models, here are a few of my top stories you may enjoy. 

My Must-Read Top Picks

Watch 2025 Subaru Forester Hidden Features and Easter Eggs YouTube Video

I am Denis Flierl, a 12-year Torque News senior writer with 20+ years of Subaru and automotive journalism experience. I enjoy bringing you, the Subaru fans and customers, the most up-to-date Subaru news, reviews, and new model information. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

I’ve got you covered! - I cover all Subaru all the time - It’s called the “Subaru Report.” Check back daily for my expert Subaru analysis!

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photo credit: Subaru USA

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Comments

NMK (not verified)    March 7, 2024 - 9:14PM

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PHEVs are dumb. Not only do you have to plug in to charge that tiny little battery, you also have to go to the gas station. So dumb. I will fill up with gas OR I will charge a vehicle. I will not do both. Regular hybrids are so much better.

BigAl (not verified)    March 8, 2024 - 10:46PM

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Not exactly unless you have a big commute. My driving is mostly within 20 miles of my home overnight charger, so my PHEV will be electric most of the time. For a longer trip, gas like it was non-electric. For me, I expect to need a fill about every 6 weeks.

Will (not verified)    March 9, 2024 - 3:32PM

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I love PHEVs. They save lots of money on gas and are nice and quiet on short trips and I rarely go to the gas station unless I go on a long trip. They have great acceleration too. The maintenance is really low since the gas engine is not used often. I prefer if they have about a 40 mile range for normal everyday use.

Drew (not verified)    March 11, 2024 - 12:02PM

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I disagree. For people (like me) who have a commute of around 40 miles or less, the vast majority of the time will be in EV mode. With a PHEV, you also don't have to worry about range. If you go on a long trip, you won't have to spend an hour sitting in a Target parking lot waiting for your car to charge.

For ME, I've never liked any hybrid I have driven. You have to baby the accelerator to stay in EV mode. I don't want to have to tiptoe around when I drive. Get in and go. Give me a hybrid with selectable EV mode (so it stays in EV regardless of how hard you press the accelerator) like the Jeeps (but Jeeps are junk, so no thanks), and I'd be interested.

Martin (not verified)    March 7, 2024 - 10:53PM

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I think it's weird that they abandoned PHEV technology with Crosstrek and discussed that they would only go EV. But then this???

Jerry Schneider (not verified)    March 8, 2024 - 10:20AM

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Thanks for your very thoughtful and insightful reporting on Subaru. Currently own 2013 Outback with 100k+ miles with no plans to sell or trade in. Waiting for the PHEV Forester stats as I am looking to swap out for 2017 Chevy Volt. Keep up the great work!