The upcoming hybrid system set to debut in the Subaru Forester and Crosstrek is expected to enhance horsepower when these models become available in the U.S.
Subaru officially announced the Forester Hybrid during the 2023 Los Angeles auto show. Scheduled to hit U.S. dealerships late next year as a 2026 model, it has already been seen in testing.
2025 Subaru Forester
This marks the first time Subaru will offer a hybrid option for the Forester in the U.S., although it previously sold a Crosstrek Hybrid featuring a plug-in hybrid powertrain sourced from Toyota. That plug-in hybrid version of the Crosstrek was phased out after 2023. Reports earlier this year suggested that a new Crosstrek Hybrid will also be coming to the U.S., sharing its powertrain with the Forester Hybrid.
A new version of the Crosstrek Hybrid has already been released in Japan, utilizing a powertrain referred to as “Strong Hybrid” by Subaru. This system was developed in collaboration with Toyota, which provided an electric motor and a 1.1-kWh battery pack to work alongside Subaru’s 2.5-liter flat-4 engine and all-wheel-drive system. It appears likely that this new hybrid will not feature a charging port.
2025 Subaru Crosstrek
Subaru has indicated that this new hybrid system aims for a 20% reduction in fuel consumption, generating 158 horsepower from the gasoline engine and 88 horsepower from the electric motor. Currently, the U.S. Crosstrek is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter flat-4 engine producing 152 horsepower, with an optional 2.5-liter flat-4 engine delivering up to 182 horsepower. The Forester is available solely with the larger engine, which Subaru rates at 180 horsepower.
The collaboration between Subaru and Toyota also extends to all-electric vehicles. The Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X are currently the only electric SUVs offered by both brands in the U.S. Reports suggest that a second jointly developed electric SUV is expected to be unveiled in 2026, part of Subaru’s plan to introduce four EVs by the end of 2028. The automaker is also targeting 50% of its sales to be electric vehicles by 2030.
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