Subaru Reveals Next-Gen Forester Hybrid, U.S. Production Starts In 2026

Customers in North America will have to wait; Japan comes first. 

In previous reports, I've covered the new Subaru Forester hybrid technology; now I know more. Subaru Corporation will first launch its all-new, next-generation "strong" hybrid technology in Japan. The first model to get the new hybrid option trim will be the Crosstrek subcompact SUV. Subaru says the Forester hybrid will follow in Japan before it's available in North America.

Subaru Corp.'s announcement says the new Crosstrek subcompact hybrid will launch in Japan with a release by the end of the year, in December 2024. Then, the Japanese automaker will add a Forester compact hybrid with the same technology in Japan in the fiscal year starting April 1., a report from Automotive News (by subscription) said. 

Subaru's engineers have promised a significant boost in performance for both the Japanese-spec hybrid models. The enhanced performance in these two SUVs has been specifically designed to meet the high standards of the U.S. market.

"We have selected a powerful engine and a powerful drive motor for this strong-hybrid system," said Shogo Oki, Subaru's Engineering Division manager. "It generates a driving performance strong enough to compete in the North American market."

Initially, two new hybrid trims will be introduced.

Subaru is stepping up its hybrid models, which is a priority in Subaru's long-term electrification strategy. The top-selling Crosstrek and Forester will be the first all-wheel-drive models to roll out the new technology, and they will be the most efficient models ever for Subaru.

Subaru says its next-generation hybrid technology achieves across-the-board improvements in engine power, motor output, torque, battery capacity, fuel economy, and driving range.

They will not be plug-in hybrids.

The next-generation Subaru hybrid will not be a plug-in hybrid like the discontinued 2023 Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid. There are many reasons why it was not a success in North America. It had a limited electric range (17 miles), was too expensive, and had limited availability. 

One important reason why the new Subaru hybrid is not a plug-in is because owners weren't using the plug-in technology. Read my report here on why customers didn't like it and why it won't be missed.

The next-gen Subaru Hybrid is a Strong Hybrid. 

The strong-hybrid system, also called a full-hybrid, draws on elements of the parallel hybrid setup pioneered in cars such as the Toyota Prius.

Subaru will tap into Toyota's technology, adopt a similar system to its horizontally opposed Boxer engine, and mate it to a longitudinal driveshaft for a mechanically connected, all-wheel-drive layout.

It adopts a series-parallel system that efficiently uses either the engine or motor as the power source, depending on the situation.

Subaru will ramp up its electrified vehicles.

I've reported that Subaru wants electric vehicles to account for half its worldwide volume in 2030. The balance will come primarily from electrified vehicles, including the all-new Crosstrek and Forester full-hybrids. 

Subaru's next-generation hybrids will be manufactured at the automaker's Main Plant and Yajima Plant at Subaru's manufacturing facility in Gunma prefecture, north of Tokyo, Japan. 

What is the difference between a mild hybrid and a strong hybrid?

The next-generation strong hybrid delivers big improvements over Subaru's mild hybrid system, which is found in the new 2025 Forester hybrid that is launching in Europe. The European spec hybrid uses a 2.0-liter Boxer engine. My report here explains the next-gen Forester hybrid launching in Europe early next year.

Subaru's next-gen hybrid will use the 2.5-liter Boxer engine.

The Crosstrek and Forester, sold in the U.S., will be a strong hybrid using Subaru's 2.5-liter Boxer engine. The e-Boxer mild hybrid with the 2.0-liter  Boxer in the mild hybrid produces 143 horsepower. The new Crosstrek and Forester strong hybrid will produce 158 horsepower.

Features of Subaru's Next-Generation Hybrid System

Both engine torque and electric motor torque increase substantially from the mild hybrid. Subaru did not provide a system power or torque figure for the engine and electric motor combined. But the powertrain cuts about 2.1 seconds off the mild hybrid's 0 to 62 mph time, it said.

The new Subaru 2.5-liter hybrid system is mated to an 88-kW electric motor versus the mild-hybrid's 10-kW motor. The bigger battery also helps improve fuel economy. The strong hybrid gets a 1-kilowatt-hour power pack, up from 0.6 kWh in the mild hybrid. It also has a higher voltage, 260 volts, versus 188. 

The Transaxle

The transaxle is newly developed for the next-generation hybrid system; two powerful motors―traction motor and motor generator―, a front differential gear, and an electronically controlled coupling are integrated into a single package. The traction motor, which generates a maximum output of 88kW, can serve as the vehicle's primary power source in a wide range of situations, with the engine covering areas where the motor is not well suited.

Mechanical All Wheel Drive (AWD) System

The all-wheel-drive system, which mechanically couples the front and rear wheels through the propeller shaft, offers stable driving in any road condition.

High-voltage battery

The newly developed high-voltage lithium-ion battery, characterized by its high density, lightweight, and long life, is stored under the rear cargo floor.

The Crosstrek and Forester hybrids will have a significantly bigger fuel tank, about 17 gallons, up from about 13 in the gasoline-powered models. 

Subaru says, "This newly developed hybrid system is designed to achieve a superior balance between driving enjoyment and environmental performance."

"The engine's generous dynamic performance and smooth acceleration further enhance driving enjoyment. Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive delivers reliable driving and off-road performance thanks to precise control of the mechanically coupled front and rear wheels through the propeller shaft."

Subaru says the new next-generation Crosstrek and Forester hybrid delivers a 50 percent boost in driving range and a 20 percent improvement in fuel economy, which will result in the best fuel efficiency in Subaru's lineup. In addition, extended EV driving also improves quietness.

The new system delivers better stability.

Automotive News says, "Engineers prioritized a mechanically coupled connection between the front and rear wheels via a propeller shaft to achieve true all-wheel-drive performance with high torque and traction on all wheels."

When will U.S. customers be able to purchase the new hybrids?

U.S. customers will get the next-generation Forester Hybrid first. The automaker did not say when the new Crosstrek Hybrid would make its North American launch. 

As I reported, the Forester will be manufactured in its U.S. plant. Subaru will add production of the next-generation Forester hybrid trim level and the gasoline model at the Subaru of Indiana Automotive factory in Lafayette, Indiana. The report says U.S. production of the next-generation hybrid system will start around 2026. 

It's Your Turn

What do you think of the new Subaru "strong" hybrid Forester? Click the red 'Add new comment' link below and let us know.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Writer since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Subaru