2025 Subaru Forester Strong Hybrid pricing and equipment revealed
The new generation of one of Australia’s best known and most popular medium SUVs, the Subaru Forester, has been priced ahead of its arrival in dealers from this July.
The cheapest version of the Toyota RAV4 challenger that arrives with a stronger emphasis on electrification is priced from $43,490 plus on-roads – $4800 more than before.
According to Subaru Australia the price rises – extending to $5850 for the flagship Strong Hybrid version – are offset by increased levels of standard equipment and enhanced tech not previously offered.
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The line-up now consists of four petrol-powered versions (Forester, Forester Premium, Forester Sport and Forester Touring) and three versions of the Strong Hybrid (Forester Hybrid, Forester Hybrid Sport and the Forester Hybrid Touring).
All versions come with Subaru’s famed symmetrical all-wheel drive, with the petrol versions powered by a 136kW 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer engine that is combined with a CVT transmission.
The hybrid, meanwhile, blends a 121kW/212Nm 2.5-litre Subaru engine with a Toyota-sourced 90kW e-motor and 1.1kWh battery pack for a combined output of 145kW.
While the petrol engine averages 7.9L/100km (+0.5L/100km), the Forester Hybrid averages 6.2L/100km – 0.5L/100km less than the old mild hybrid electrified Forester.
Subaru says the hybrid Forester can deliver a 1000km-plus driving range.
Differing from Toyota, the Subaru Forester Hybrid uses its powertrain to drive all four wheels permanently. The new hybrid is able to run on petrol, or electric power and a mixture of both for maximum response.
The Forester Hybrid is priced from $46,490 plus on-road costs.
All sixth-generation Subaru Forester SUVs sold in Australia come with an 11.6-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen that works with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Premium trims and above come with an in-built sat nav.
Ahead of the driver is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that’s standard on Forester Hybrid Sport and Forester Hybrid Touring models.
Even the base versions feature a six-speaker sound system, with the Touring, Sport Hybrid and Touring Hybrid bagging a more powerful 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
The most affordable model also ride on 18-inch alloy wheels and get LED headlamps, keyless entry, with keyless go.
Dual-zone climate control, rear air vents, a leather wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats and a one-touch electric rear seat fold are also standard.
Other fresh tech includes a new clearer camera that offers a wider view than before. There’s also adaptive cruise control, with lane-keep centring, autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition and an intelligent speed limiter.
Safety kit includes blind spot monitoring, a driver monitoring camera, emergency driving stop (that brings the car to a halt if the driver is unresponsive behind the wheel), lane-change assist, a 360-degree camera and AEB that works in reverse.
Upgrade to the Forester Premium and you get auto-dimming and auto-folding mirrors, a hands-free tailgate, electric adjust seats with memory, further driver monitoring, and facial recognition that identifies the driver and automatically adjusts the seat and mirrors.
The Forester Sport keeps the 18-inch rims but adds a dark finish, a sunroof, X-Mode terrain response system, a premium instrument cluster and water repellent grey and black seats.
The Hybrid Sport gets low-drag roof rails, 19-inch bronze alloy wheels, the 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 10-speaker stereo.
Finally, the Touring adds leather and Ultrasuede upholstery, a leather gear lever, ventilated front seats and 19-inch wheels.
While the petrol-powered Foresters come with a full-size 18-inch spare wheel the Forester Hybrid comes with just a tyre repair kit, with a spare wheel a dealer accessory.
Available to order now, first deliveries of 2025 Subaru Forester are set to kick off in July.
How much does the 2025 Subaru Forester cost?*
Forester AWD – $43,490
Forester AWD Premium – $46,490
Forester AWD Sport – $48,490
Forester AWD Touring – $50,990
Forester AWD Hybrid – $46,490
Forester AWD Hybrid Sport – $54,990
Forester AWD Hybrid Touring – $55,990
*prices exclude on-road costs
