The Subaru Hybrid SUVs Coming For Toyota And Honda In 2025

Subaru has finally decided to give the people what they want, by confirming the launch of two practical and efficient hybrid crossover SUVs, which will rival the likes of Toyota's RAV4 and Corolla Cross, which in turn do battle with the time-tested Honda CR-V. While Subaru has a competitive SUV range in America, the lack of hybrid options has limited its appeal in this market alongside other Japanese and Korean marques.

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Subaru

Subaru is the car making division of the Japanese transport company, Subaru Corporation, and it's one of the largest in the world. It was founded in 1953, preceded by the Nakajima Aircraft Company, and today manufactures vehicles known for their boxer engines, symmetrical all-wheel drive systems, and pedigreed history. 

Founded  15 July 1953

Founder  Chikuhei Nakajima

Headquarters  Ebisu, Shibuya, Japan

Owned By  Subaru Corporation

Current CEO  Atsushi Osaki

In order to discover whether the up-and-coming Subaru hybrid SUVs have what it takes to dethrone these heavyweights of the segment, we take a closer look at the price, performance, efficiency and design of both new releases.

Exterior Designs: No Great Surprises

2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid front 1/4

2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid

Both the hybridized and gas-powered Forester models are receiving a very welcome update for the 2025 model year, which boasts a slightly larger footprint than the outgoing model, and a chassis that's 10% stiffer, too. This new sixth-gen model launches prior to the all-new RAV4, which should give the Subaru a competitive edge, if only for a short time. Bolstered arches and bulky plastic trims provide the go-anywhere aesthetic that has become synonymous with Forester models of old, while a smattering of Hybrid badges distinguish the all-new efficient model from non-hybrid trims.

2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Subaru fully redesigned the Crosstrek for the 2024 model year, and so few changes have been required in order to keep the subcompact crossover looking fresh in the face of competition. Notably, it's the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid which will be the Crosstrek Hybrid's main rival, which was introduced in 2023, and so still looks up-to-date as of now.

At 176.4 inches long and sporting a 105.1-inch wheelbase, the Crosstrek is very similar in dimensions to the Corolla Cross Hybrid, which measures up at 176.8 inches long with a 103.9-inch wheelbase. Where the two do differ, though, is that the Crosstrek sports a traditionally Subaru-esque rugged exterior, with chunky plastic arches and a lifted ride height, which more adventurous types will likely prefer over the Corolla Cross's comparatively safe and subdued exterior.

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Powertrains And Efficiency

2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid engine

2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid

*city/highway/combined

As is to be expected from a Subaru, the Forester Hybrid makes use of a flat-four engine, rather than the industry-standard inline-four. Two electric motors bolster performance, and provide the Forester with a combined output of 194 horsepower. This is down in comparison to both the CR-V and RAV4 hybrids, in particular the latter, which kicks out an additional 23 horses - that's over 10%, which could be noticeable.

No exact economy figures have been provided for the Forester Hybrid yet, although Subaru claims it will be up to 40% more efficient than the non-hybrid model, which returns an EPA-estimated 29 mpg. So, with that in mind, the Subaru hybrid SUV should be capable of achieving around 40 to the gallon on a combined cycle, which exactly matches that of the CR-V and RAV4 hybrid models.

2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

*city/highway/combined

Subaru will be equipping the Crosstrek with the Forester's hybridized powertrain, which means 194 horses will be on offer, and power will be sent through a CVT. While that figure is a little lacking in the Forester, it's bang on the money for the Crosstrek, coming in just two horses shy of the Toyota's output. It's worth noting that both of these Subaru hybrid SUV models will sport all-wheel drive as standard, much like their respective key rivals.

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid

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Interior Design: Subtle Updates For Hybrid Variants

2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid interior

2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid

Subaru's comfortable and straightforward style when it comes to interior spaces hasn't gone anywhere, thankfully, and the Forester Hybrid looks all the better for it. The 11.6-inch infotainment display dominates the dash, and has both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integrated within. There is plenty of space for occupants and cargo, in line with key rivals, with 27.5 cubes of storage space in the trunk, which can swell to 69.1 cubes with the rear seats dropped. By way of comparison, the RAV4 and CR-V hybrid models sport a maximum of 69.8 and 76.5 cubic feet respectively. A foot-activated powered liftgate makes accessing the space stress-free, too, and is a welcome addition to the Subaru SUV hybrid. Hybrid-specific driving modes can be viewed on the digital gauge cluster.

2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Steeping inside the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid will reveal a very similar cabin, which too subscribes to Subaru's traditional and utilitarian approach to cabin design. Some will undoubtedly prefer the more modern approach taken by the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, although the Toyota's infotainment screen is much smaller, and, if the gas-powered Crosstrek's dimensions are anything to go by, the hybrid model will prove more spacious for passengers, too. Headroom is similar, but the Subaru offers substantially more shoulder, head, and hip room in comparison to the Corolla Cross Hybrid, and it's unlikely that this advantage would entirely disappear in the hybrid model when it arrives.

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Pricing And Verdict

2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid front

2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid has some seriously tough competition, going up against the best-selling Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the well-established CR-V Hybrid. While the Forester does look leaps and bounds better than the previous fifth-gen model, especially now it sports an efficient hybrid drivetrain, it is lacking in some key areas. Notably, the Toyota and Honda both produce more power and offer more cargo space, which could be a decision maker for many buyers.

However, the Forester Hybrid looks great and boasts rugged capability, which will appeal to some buyers over the more reserved and urban-focused styling of those two key rivals. It certainly sports everything required to do battle in the segment, but lacks special qualities which will make it stand out in the face of already hugely popular choices.

2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Arguably, the Crosstrek Hybrid is better geared up for success than the Forester Hybrid, as it does sport notable advantages which go above and beyond what key rivals can offer in the subcompact crossover space. While there are no suggested fuel economy ratings just yet, the Crosstrek utilizes the Forester's hybrid powertrain, and if the heavier Forester can return a combined estimate of 40 mpg, surely the Crosstrek can at the very least match this.

Furthermore, the Crosstrek Hybrid boasts more space than the Corolla Cross Hybrid - its main rival - and kicks out roughly identical power figures. Many buyers will surely find the Crosstrek's larger infotainment screen more appealing, and the rugged exterior certainly looks sweet too.

When Will The New Subaru Hybrid SUVs Arrive?

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is scheduled to arrive at dealers this fall, while the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid should get here a few months before this in mid-2025.

Sources: Subaru, Toyota, Honda