2025 Subaru Forester, 2026 Crosstrek get new hybrid powertrains | Reviews

Subaru picked the 2025 Chicago Auto Show as the venue to launch a trio of new models. The 2025 Forester and 2026 Crosstrek will both be offered with a new hybrid powertrain. The third model represents the most off-road-ready Forester yet—the 2026 Wilderness.

Both the 2025 Subaru Forester and 2026 Crosstrek will be offered with a new hybrid powertrain called “e-Boxer.” The series-parallel hybrid – it can use the electric motor, engine, or both power sources to drive the vehicle – starts with a revamped 2.5-litre flat-four boxer engine that runs on the more efficient Atkinson cycle. It produces 162 hp and 154 lb-ft of torque. Both numbers are down slightly from the regular 2.5L flat-four boxer.

The updated engine works with a continuously variable transmission and two electric motors incorporated into the transaxle. One electric motor functions as a generator to charge the battery beyond what is delivered by regenerative braking. It’s also used for the idle stop-start side, so it promises to be smoother in operation that a regular starter motor.

The second electric motor delivers the driving force and bolsters the engine’s output—the motor makes 118 hp and 199 lb-ft. As a result, the e-Boxer hybrid produces a net system output of 194 horsepower, which is up 14 hp over the non-hybrid 2.5L engine. Bonus marks for the fact it will reduce fuel consumption while providing better on-road performance and off-road ability thanks to the electric motor and its low-end torque. To handle the increased weight, Subaru retuned the suspension to maintain a compliant ride.

At the media launch, Subaru went to great length to promote the fact the e-Boxer hybrid retains the traditional strengths of the company’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system (AWD)—as the driveshaft sits on the vehicle’s centre line, it eliminates vices like torque steer and means the AWD setup is available at all speeds.

It’s also better than competing systems that use an electric motor to power the rear wheels. As there’s no mechanical connection between the front and rear drive units on those cars, it is “difficult to control torque if road conditions are constantly changing.” The rear electric motor also typically turns off at speeds over 40 km/h.

Interestingly, parts of Subaru’s hybrid system, like the battery and overseeing computer, use Toyota technology. Regardless, this all begs a comparison test to evaluate the merits of the Forester e-Boxer with its driveshaft; and the RAV4 hybrid with its rear electric motor.

To further improve the efficiency of both the Forester and Crosstrek e-Boxer models, the hybrid system uses electric power for the air conditioning compressor and water pump, along with an electric Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater for the climate control system. As a PTC heater is self-regulating, it cannot overheat in spite of the amount of heat it produces, and it produces a lot of heat in a very short period while remaining efficient in operation. In short, the cabin rises to a comfortable temperature in a much shorter time than relying on the conventional heater alone.

The hybrid system uses a lithium-ion battery pack that sits in the spare tire well—this means there is a tire-inflation kit rather than a proper spare tire.

Inside, the Forester get a dedicated gauge cluster with different looks—it can have a Tom-Tom map within the cluster, it works with Apple maps, and it has an EyeSight mode that highlights the safety features.

On that note, another key improvement is found in new emergency lane-keep assist with steering assist, which is now part of the EyeSight Driver Assist suite of technologies. The previous system was passive, issuing a warning only. Now, if the driver ignores the haptic warning, the new system can steer away from a potential collision. Both e-Boxers are available with an oversized 11.6-inch table-style multimedia screen.

What’s new with the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness?

The new Forester Wilderness rides on a platform that is 10% better in torsional rigidity, which gives the rest of the upgraded mechanicals a solid base of operations. The upgrade list includes 17-inch Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, a longer-travel suspension, underbody protection, and a revised all-wheel-drive system that has a faster centre-differential lock-up. This helps to counter unwanted wheelspin when off-road. It also earns a shorter final-drive ratio, which improves the climbing ability.

Finally, there’s Subaru’s two-function X-Mode system. The driver-activated setup gives the driver a choice of Snow/Dirt or Deep Snow/Mud modes. The system builds on AWD basics by further reducing unwanted wheelspin in sticky or slippery going. For an avid off-roader, these changes bring a 4.5-degree improvement in the approach angle—it’s up to 23.5 degrees. The ramp break-over and departure angles also improve slightly.

The 2026 Wilderness also has a beefed-up transmission cooler, which allows it to tow 1,588 kilograms (3,500 pounds) and stronger roof rails for a canoe and the like. Move inside and the Forester Wilderness features soft-touch all-weather upholstery, an 11.6-inch multimedia system, an available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist technology.

When do the new Subaru Crosstrek and Forester arrive?

Full Canadian pricing and specs will be available closer to the launch of each vehicle. The 2025 Forester e-Boxer will be the first to arrive in the spring of this year as an option on the top Premier ($44,995), which is a short-sighted move. The 2026 Crosstrek e-Boxer, which is also based on the top Limited trim, and 2026 Forester Wilderness will arrive towards the end of this year.

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