The Forester has always been one of the most practical SUVs you can buy on Long Island - standard AWD, 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The kind of reliability that keeps 96% of Subaru vehicles sold in the last ten years still on the road. Now the 2025 Forester Hybrid adds an electric motor to the equation, delivering up to 581 miles on a single tank and up to 10 more miles per gallon than the standard Forester. For Suffolk County drivers who want better fuel economy without giving up capability, this is the model to pay attention to.
Bottom Line:
- The 2025 Forester Hybrid combines a 194-hp BOXER engine with an electric motor for up to 581 miles of total range
- Standard Symmetrical AWD on every trim - not available as an option, not an upcharge. Standard.
- Lowest tailpipe emissions of any Forester ever produced (reduced CO₂ and N₂O)
- Four trims: Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring - starting with 18-inch wheels, panoramic moonroof, and EyeSight standard
- 2024 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ (excludes Wilderness models)
How the Forester Hybrid System Works
The Subaru Hybrid Drive System pairs the proven 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER engine with an advanced electric motor. This isn’t a plug-in hybrid - there’s no cord to deal with, no charging station to find, and no range anxiety. The system manages itself automatically.
During most driving - your commute down Sunrise Highway, errands in Lindenhurst, weekend trips to Montauk - both the gas engine and electric motor work together. The BOXER engine recharges the hybrid battery through regenerative braking and during low-demand situations like coasting or light cruising. When conditions allow, the Forester Hybrid switches to all-electric mode automatically, maximizing efficiency without any input from you.
The result: up to 10 more miles per gallon than the traditional Forester in city driving, and up to 581 miles of total range on a single tank. For Long Island commuters covering 30-50 miles daily, that means significantly fewer gas station stops.
What Regenerative Braking Means for Stop-and-Go Driving
Long Island traffic is stop-and-go traffic. Whether you’re crawling along the LIE, navigating Montauk Highway through Bay Shore, or sitting through lights on Sunrise Highway, regenerative braking captures energy every time you slow down and feeds it back to the hybrid battery. The more stop-and-go driving you do, the more the hybrid system works in your favor. That’s the opposite of how a traditional gas engine behaves. And it’s why hybrid efficiency gains are most pronounced in exactly the kind of driving Long Island demands.
Standard AWD: Where Competitors Fall Short
Every Forester Hybrid comes with Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. This is a critical distinction. The Honda CR-V Hybrid and Ford Escape Hybrid - two of the Forester Hybrid’s closest competitors - do not offer symmetrical AWD in their drivetrains. Some competitors don’t offer AWD at all on their hybrid models, or charge extra for it.
For Suffolk County drivers who deal with unpredictable winters. Wet snow on unplowed side streets, black ice on the Southern State Parkway, salt-covered commuter routes - standard AWD isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s a requirement. If you’ve ever driven a Subaru through a Long Island nor’easter, you already know the difference. If you haven’t, read our guide on the best SUVs for Suffolk County winters to understand why AWD system design matters.
Off-Road Capability
The Forester Hybrid isn’t just a commuter. With standard dual-function X-MODE and Hill Descent Control, 8.7 inches of ground clearance. A 1,500-pound towing capacity, it handles dirt roads, boat ramp approaches, and the kind of unpaved beach access roads you find along the South Shore. Active Torque Vectoring distributes power intelligently to maintain traction on loose surfaces.
Trim Levels: What You Get at Each Level
The 2025 Forester Hybrid comes in four trims. Every single one includes AWD, the hybrid powertrain, EyeSight driver assistance, a panoramic moonroof, an 11.6-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a hands-free power rear gate. The base trim is already well-equipped - you’re choosing trims based on comfort and style preferences, not core capability.
Forester Hybrid Premium (Base)
This is where most Long Island buyers will find the best value. Standard equipment includes:
- 194-hp Subaru Hybrid Drive System with 2.5-liter BOXER engine
- Symmetrical AWD with Active Torque Vectoring
- Dual-function X-MODE with Hill Descent Control
- 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels (Dark Metallic with machine finish)
- LED fog lights and panoramic moonroof
- 12.3-inch full LCD digital gauge cluster
- Premium cloth upholstery
- 10-way power-adjustable driver seat with lumbar support
- Subaru 11.6-inch Multimedia System with Navigation
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Qi wireless smartphone charging
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability
- All-Weather Package: heated exterior mirrors, 3-mode heated front seats, windshield wiper de-icer
- EyeSight Driver Assist with Automatic Emergency Steering
- Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Hands-Free Power Rear Gate
- MySubaru Safety and Security (includes Remote Engine Start with Climate Control)
- 1,500-lb towing capacity
The All-Weather Package being standard - heated mirrors, heated seats, wiper de-icer - is a detail that matters for Long Island winters. Many competitors charge extra for these features.
Forester Hybrid Sport
Adds to the Premium with a distinct visual identity:
- 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with bronze finish
- Low-profile roof rails
- Bronze and Crystal Black Silica exterior accents
- Front, rear, and side underguards with bronze accents
- Stainless steel tailpipe tip
- Gray Sport StarTex water-repellent upholstery
- Brown stitching and bronze interior trim accents
- Harman Kardon 576-watt premium audio system with 11 speakers
- Reverse Automatic Braking
The Sport trim is popular with buyers who want the Forester Hybrid to look as capable as it performs. StarTex upholstery is water-repellent - practical for families with kids, beach gear, or dogs.
Forester Hybrid Limited
A comfort-focused upgrade over the Premium:
- Dark gray-finish exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals
- Front, rear, and side underguards with dark gray inserts
- Stainless steel tailpipe tip
- StarTex-trimmed upholstery
- 8-way power-adjustable front-passenger seat
- Harman Kardon 576-watt premium audio with 11 speakers
- One-touch folding rear seatback
- Reverse Automatic Braking
Forester Hybrid Touring
The full-feature trim with luxury-level amenities:
- 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels (Dark Gray with machine finish)
- Low-profile roof rails
- Gloss black underguard inserts
- Crystal Black Silica-finish exterior mirrors with automatic reverse tilt
- Available Touring Brown Leather with Ultrasuede inserts
- Heated steering wheel
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated outboard rear seats
- 2-position driver seat and exterior mirrors memory
- DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System - detects drowsy and distracted driving
- Smart Rear-View Mirror
- 360-degree Surround-View Monitor
- Available two-tone paint options (Crystal Black Silica roof)
The Touring’s heated and ventilated seats, heated rear seats, and heated steering wheel make it the most winter-complete Forester ever built - every surface you touch is temperature-controlled. The 360-degree Surround-View Monitor provides a top-down view of the vehicle during tight parking maneuvers, which anyone who parks in a Long Island shopping center regularly will appreciate.
"The Forester Hybrid is the first Subaru hybrid that doesn't ask you to compromise on anything. You get the same AWD, the same ground clearance, the same towing - plus better fuel economy and lower emissions. For our customers in Lindenhurst, Babylon, and West Islip who commute every day, the fuel savings alone make it worth a serious look."
General Manager, South Shore Subaru
Safety: EyeSight and Beyond
The 2025 Forester is a 2024 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+. Every Forester Hybrid trim includes EyeSight Driver Assist Technology with a wide-angle mono camera for improved visibility and expanded detection range. Here’s what’s included standard:
EyeSight Standard Features:
- Pre-Collision Braking - automatically slows or stops the vehicle if a collision is detected
- Automatic Emergency Steering - provides steering and braking support when there’s space to maneuver
- Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering - maintains following distance and lane position
- Lane Departure and Sway Warning with Lane Keep Assist - alerts and corrects if you drift
- Pre-Collision Throttle Management - reduces engine power in dangerous situations
Additional Standard Safety:
- Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Hands-Free Power Rear Gate
- MySubaru Safety and Security - Automatic Collision Notification, SOS Emergency Assistance, Enhanced Roadside Assistance
Available on Higher Trims:
- Reverse Automatic Braking (Sport, Limited, Touring)
- DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System (Touring) - monitors driver attention and alerts if drowsiness or distraction is detected
- 360-degree Surround-View Monitor (Touring)
- Smart Rear-View Mirror (Touring)
For families on Long Island - and the Forester is overwhelmingly a family vehicle here - the depth of standard safety equipment is a major differentiator. You don’t have to move up to an expensive trim to get meaningful safety technology.
Interior: Space, Comfort, and Tech
The Forester Hybrid’s interior is built around practicality. With 106.6 cubic feet of passenger space, it’s one of the roomiest compact SUVs available. The numbers that matter for daily life:
| Dimension | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Passenger volume | 106.6 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats up) | 27.5 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 69.1 cu ft |
| Front headroom | 40.0 in |
| Rear headroom | 37.7 in |
| Front legroom | 43.3 in |
| Rear legroom | 39.4 in |
The 60/40-split flat-folding rear seats and foot-activated Hands-Free Power Rear Gate make loading practical - groceries, strollers, sports equipment, beach chairs. The panoramic moonroof is standard across all trims, flooding the cabin with natural light.
Connectivity is modern and wireless:
- 11.6-inch touchscreen with Navigation
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless smartphone charging
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi
- USB-A and USB-C ports (front and rear)
- SiriusXM with 360L (4-month trial included)
The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is new for the Hybrid and displays hybrid-specific information - power flow, efficiency metrics. Battery status - so you can see exactly how the hybrid system is working in real time.
Colors and Configurations
The Forester Hybrid is available in 10 exterior colors. The Touring trim offers exclusive two-tone options with a Crystal Black Silica roof.
Available colors:
- Crystal White Pearl
- Ice Silver Metallic
- Brilliant Bronze Metallic
- Autumn Green Metallic
- River Rock Pearl
- Sapphire Blue Pearl (Sport only)
- Daybreak Blue Pearl
- Crimson Red Pearl
- Magnetite Gray Metallic
- Crystal Black Silica
Upholstery options by trim:
- Premium: Premium Black Cloth or Premium Gray Cloth
- Sport: Gray Sport StarTex
- Limited: Black Limited StarTex or Gray Limited StarTex
- Touring: Touring Brown Leather or Touring Black Leather
Two-tone paint (Crystal Black Silica roof) is available on the Touring in Brilliant Bronze Metallic, Autumn Green Metallic, River Rock Pearl, and Magnetite Gray Metallic.
Dimensions and Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Length | 183.3 in |
| Width | 72.0 in (81.2 in with mirrors) |
| Height | 68.1 in (with roof rails) |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 in |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in |
| Curb weight (Premium) | 3,873 lbs |
| Curb weight (Sport) | 3,913 lbs |
| Curb weight (Limited) | 3,911 lbs |
| Curb weight (Touring) | 3,946 lbs |
| Engine | 2.5L 4-cyl BOXER + electric motor |
| System output | 194 hp |
| Drivetrain | Symmetrical AWD |
| Towing capacity | 1,500 lbs |
| Total range | Up to 581 miles |
How the Forester Hybrid Compares
The Forester Hybrid enters a competitive segment, but it brings a few things no direct competitor matches.
| Feature | 2025 Forester Hybrid | Honda CR-V Hybrid | Ford Escape Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Symmetrical AWD standard | Yes | No | No |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in | 7.8 in | 6.8 in |
| X-MODE / off-road modes | Dual-function X-MODE | None | None |
| Towing capacity | 1,500 lbs | 1,000 lbs | 1,500 lbs |
| Panoramic moonroof | Standard (all trims) | Available | Available |
| Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto | Standard | Standard | Standard |
The ground clearance gap is significant. The CR-V Hybrid sits nearly an inch lower; the Escape Hybrid nearly two inches lower. On Long Island, where unplowed residential streets and beach access roads are part of regular driving, that clearance difference is felt. For a detailed look at how the standard Forester stacks up against the Outback for Long Island buyers, see our Outback vs Forester comparison.
Lower Emissions, Same Capability
The Forester Hybrid produces the lowest tailpipe emissions of any Forester - reduced CO₂ and N₂O compared to the standard model. For Long Island buyers who want to reduce their environmental impact without switching to a fully electric vehicle (and without dealing with range limitations, charging infrastructure gaps, or the higher upfront cost of EVs), the Forester Hybrid is a practical middle ground.
You still get the same 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The same Symmetrical AWD. The same towing capacity. The same 106.6 cubic feet of interior space. The hybrid system adds efficiency - it doesn’t subtract capability.
Why South Shore Subaru for the Forester Hybrid
South Shore Subaru in Lindenhurst serves the entire South Shore - Babylon, West Islip, Bay Shore, Copiague, Amityville, and surrounding communities. As a VIP Automotive Group dealership, South Shore Subaru offers access to the VIP+ program with benefits across the full dealer network.
Try our Monthly Payment Calculator to estimate your Forester Hybrid payment:
To compare financing options or see how the Forester Hybrid fits your budget, check our guide on how to get the best deal on a new car.
Ready to see the 2025 Forester Hybrid in person? Browse current Forester Hybrid inventory at South Shore Subaru in Lindenhurst, or schedule a test drive to experience the hybrid system firsthand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to plug in the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid?
No. The Forester Hybrid is a self-charging hybrid, not a plug-in. The electric motor recharges through regenerative braking and the gas engine during normal driving. There’s no plug, no charging cord, and no need to find a charging station. You fuel it with gas like any other vehicle - it just uses less of it.
Is AWD standard on the Forester Hybrid?
Yes. Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard on every Forester Hybrid trim - Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring. There is no front-wheel-drive option. This is a key advantage over the Honda CR-V Hybrid and Ford Escape Hybrid, which do not include symmetrical AWD as standard equipment.
How many miles can the Forester Hybrid go on one tank?
Up to 581 miles on a single tank of gas, according to Subaru. Actual range depends on driving conditions, but the hybrid system’s efficiency gains are most pronounced in city and suburban driving. Exactly the kind of stop-and-go conditions typical on Long Island.
What is the towing capacity of the 2025 Forester Hybrid?
The Forester Hybrid has a 1,500-pound towing capacity across all trim levels. That covers small utility trailers, jet ski trailers, and lightweight boat trailers - common needs for South Shore residents. Trailer brakes may be needed for heavier loads. Note that some safety features like Blind-Spot Detection and X-MODE may not function properly during towing.
How does the Forester Hybrid compare to the standard Forester?
The Hybrid adds an electric motor to the BOXER engine, providing up to 10 more miles per gallon in city driving and up to 581 miles of total range versus the standard Forester. It produces lower tailpipe emissions (CO₂ and N₂O). Ground clearance, AWD, towing capacity, cargo space, and interior dimensions are the same. The Hybrid also comes with exclusive styling - hybrid badging, black roof paint on applicable trims, and standard 18-inch wheels.
What colors are available for the 2025 Forester Hybrid?
Ten exterior colors are available: Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Brilliant Bronze Metallic, Autumn Green Metallic, River Rock Pearl, Sapphire Blue Pearl (Sport only), Daybreak Blue Pearl, Crimson Red Pearl, Magnetite Gray Metallic, and Crystal Black Silica. The Touring trim offers exclusive two-tone options with a Crystal Black Silica roof.
Does South Shore Subaru have the Forester Hybrid in stock?
South Shore Subaru in Lindenhurst carries the Forester Hybrid across available trims. Availability of specific color and trim combinations varies. Contact South Shore Subaru or call (631) 479-2231 to check current inventory and schedule a test drive.
Is the 2025 Forester Hybrid safe?
The 2025 Subaru Forester earned a 2024 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating. Every Hybrid trim includes EyeSight Driver Assist Technology with Pre-Collision Braking, Automatic Emergency Steering, Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, Blind-Spot Detection, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. The Touring trim adds the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System and 360-degree Surround-View Monitor.