Toyota finds Subaru Forester hybrid heading to the dark side

Subaru is no stranger to electrification, but the company has a mixed track record, including the pricey Crosstrek Hybrid and the so-so Solterra. Sales of the latter have soared 58.6% so far this year, but the model remains the brand’s second-slowest-selling model, behind the BRZ.

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However, Subaru is about to get serious about electrification as they are developing a new Forester Hybrid. Spy photographers appear to have captured the first photos of it today, when they spotted a black prototype during a morning walk. While this crossover screams louder than the Subaru Hybrid’s Ford Police Interceptor Utility, there’s no doubt what this prototype means.

More: Subaru turns to Toyota for new Forester hybrid

Unfortunately, details are few and far between, and there don’t appear to be any styling changes. Nonetheless, Subaru recently stated that “we will launch a hybrid version of the next-generation Forester based on Toyota’s hybrid system, which will be a unique hybrid vehicle from Subaru with a boxer engine.”

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The company went on to say that production of the next-generation hybrid transaxle will begin this fall, with hybrid vehicle production starting around early 2025. In about a year, the automaker will begin production of the Forster hybrid at the Subaru Indiana Automotive (SIA) plant.

It’s also worth noting that the Forester isn’t the only upcoming hybrid model, as that model will share its powertrain with the Crosstrek. Subaru says the two new hybrids will “ensure the flexibility of our products and provide our customers with more choices.”

While there are currently more questions than answers, the 2025 Forester is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine with 180 hp (134 kW / 183 PS) and 178 lb-ft (241 Nm) of torque. It comes with a continuously variable transmission and standard all-wheel drive, allowing this crossover to achieve 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined.

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Baldolf