Is the 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid actually the saviour Subaru claims it is?
We took the Forester Petrol Sport and the new Forester Hybrid Sport to the limit to see if the $6,500 premium is actually worth the upgrade. We drove them back to back on the same roads and then pushed them through a grueling Forester off road test to find out if this hybrid model is the upgrade Subaru needed or just a pricey annoyance.
In this deep-dive Subaru Forester review Australia, we are joined by Trent from the carsales team to put the 2026 Subaru Forester through its paces. While senior executives reckon this hybrid will save the company, our testing tells a different story. We investigate the 2.5L Atkinson cycle engine, the Toyota-sourced hybrid module, and why the renowned Subaru Symmetrical AWD system pales in comparison to the petrol setup when the going gets tough.
The hybrid is more efficient and feels sharper in town, but the Forester Petrol Sport wins on value and capability where it matters. Our Forester hybrid vs petrol comparison covers:
Subaru Forester price Australia and why the hybrid premium is hard to justify.
Cabin and tech differences including the Subaru EyeSight safety suite.
CVT behavior and city driving feel.
Real world efficiency versus rivals like the RAV4 Hybrid and Tucson Hybrid.
Gravel and off road traction and why the hybrid disappointed on the climb.
The final verdict on which medium SUV Australia actually makes sense for your driveway.
Would you spend the extra $6,500 for the hybrid or stick with the sweet petrol setup? Do you own a midsize SUV and have you ever taken it off road even lightly? Let us know in the comments what you drive and what held up or what failed.
#SubaruForester #Forester2026 #HybridSUV #CarReviewAustralia #OffRoadTest #ForesterHybrid #Carsales
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If Subaru only sold hybrid versions of its best-selling SUV (like in the case the Toyota RAV4), we would never really have this data showing how good the petrol version is. Should Toyota still sell non-hybrid RAV4s? Or did Subaru get it wrong?
Will be interesting to see what happens with the mid-life update for the hybrid. Seems like a decent product that just needs a bit of refining.
Shame all these SUV's have such little power, Snooze fest. Waiting for the PHEV Rav4 at this stage actually has some KW's
Hybrid should have e-cvt (beltless) and not regular cvt like petrol one
Shame for the subi
The Subaru seats are universally uncomfortable and Subaru dealers will only sell you a vehicle if you can prove you are over 55 yrs old ….. 😂
I would never touch anything with CVT gearbox!!!
What doesn’t make sense is that the “Sport” trim of the petrol and hybrid are spec-ed differently. IMO the details and equipment should be the same, just the powertrain the difference. The Hybrid looks more premium. Does the Symmetrical AWD impact the hybrid efficiency performance compared to the FWD RAV4 with e motor of the rear wheels?
That's a pretty disappointing outcome for the hybrid. For the price difference I expected turbo-like increases in power and torque on a combined basis.
Don't worry about Hybrid if your main reason for buying a Subie is road trips and light off-roading.
Stupid decision not to have a spare tyre in the Forester hybrid. We use our Foresters on some really bad roads and dirt tracks. My 2012 Forester has been a great SUV. The last one before they introduced that horrible CVT, which may be slightly more economical, but I hate the concept and think that they only excel at turning pulley faces and drive belts/chains into metallic sludge. I was going to replace it with the new hybrid as it utilizes much of the Toyota E-CVT drivetrain, but with a drive shaft to the rear diff. It totally eliminates the drive belt variable pulley system. It replaces the pulley drive belt system with electric motors and a planetary gear set. Completely eliminating the metal to metal conflict between drive/slip/friction/wear. Then I discovered that the only way to get a full size spare was to pay an extra $3000 to get this external swing out thing that looks like a real pain. Go with the petrol version and you get stuck with the CVT. Hopefully when Subaru does their next major upgrade they will package the drivetrain differently so as to provide enough space for a full size spare.
One thing missing, how UGLY this car is and how dated it feels already.
I prefer the gas model. AWD system has no compromises. Has a spare tire. The cost of the hybrid is not worth the 5 mpg savings/ Gas prices are lower now and will remain so for the unforseable future. the EV battery could stop working someday and of course, always presents a fire hazzard. Hybrid models weigh more and therefore, you will have to replace your tires earlier.
A spare wheel is non-negotiable for me.
That's a seriously bad haircut. 🤡
I bet the Toyota supplied hybrid transmission in the hybrid has way more longevity than the Lineartronic Subaru box.
im heavily invested researching a medium sized suv- actually never liked the forester but have drived the petrol version and it seems to do the job- my question is tucson or forester- lots of country highway ks and we live in the hih country- so snow and dirt- ??
hybrid for city and petrol for hi-way
I've had a horror experience with the Impreza for the last half decade but thinking to give subaru one more try. Great video and totally relevant to Australia which is a welcome change – no need to mentally convert gallons to litres this time.
I laugh out loud every time journos compare a two wheel drive posing as a 4 wheel drive less than 5 % of the time with a permanent four Wheeler.. The hybrid is close but not same and the propulsion of the second set of wheels are certainly different between Toyota and Subaru.. Get a grip and get real.
Everything going for it but…cvt and premuum petrol
Subaru Australia should offer the JDM 1.8 TURBO model, retain the fan base barbecue talk…
Why don't have turbo 195 kw like new Outback ❤
Nice review. I'm looking at the Subaru Forest Sports Hybrid or a RAV 4 Hybrid. Although I would like to do some dirt roads and fire-trails not true 4WD, just camping etc…. Family road trips and use as a daily family driver. Which is better Subaru Sports Hybrid or RAV4 Hybrid? Is AWD system and ground clearance better in Subaru?
This was a great comparison. Hoping the hybrid will improve in the next few models as Subaru tend to slowly iron out issues in later iterations. My Subarus have always got better economy after a little wearing in.
Subaru lost me at the annoying bings and bongs. To me this shows disrespect for the customer.
Whatever car has a full size spare is the winner 🏆. Wonder if Petrol Touring has digital dash? Overall, can see why so many are buying Forester I like the look, the new colours and it being a quite, safe tried and tested car.
I have the Forester Hybrid Sport since August 2025.
It is an ABSOLUTE Lemon off Road, and I'm talking LIGHT Off Road. Something the previous version was absolutely fine with.
Oh and the infotainment is sluggish and outdated.
Disappointed by Subaru
This is the review we've all been waiting for since the Car Expert hill climb fail. You've made it clear as to why that happened through this comparative test! The Hybrid AWD is clearly being oversold when positioned "as good as the petrol". It's clearly not. It's sad at the same time as being a soft roader is a core selling point for Subaru
For anyone thinking of buying one of these dont. Just buy a 2009 Subaru Forester Xt. Its got more power, better off roading and bullet proof. Ive got 2 and both are over 350,000kms and still fine. Plus you can get them for only about $8k
In both cases the price is absolutely ridiculous for such an utilitarian SUV as Subaru Forester (CVT for gas, previous Toyota platform for hybrid).
Interesting video, thanks. I bought the base petrol over the hybrid in Dec 2024 because (i) no spare wheel in the hybrid (ii) the price difference is a lot of km given I covered just over 8,000km in a year. Doing just local school and shops running about it averaged around 10 litres per 100km over the year. Haven't taken it off road / major gravel or dirt yet.
The world today is full of HYPE -BRIDS HAHA
Not a bad car if this is 2023. But time moved on. Hybrids are expected to be in the 4L/100km range these days. In-cabin tech like digital dashboard and internet-connected car, 360 HD camera, are the norm. Subaru has failed to keep up comprehensively. But the worst part is that, while trying to keep up to the rest, it has lost its core identity – the rugged drivetrain and phenomenal cross-country capabilities. The CVT dents both the performance and overall reliability. And the look of this latest version and the new Outback are polarised.
Anyway, no one lives forever. RIP Subaru.