Review and opinion: the Subaru Forester Hybrid in 10 key points

We already liked it a lot during the first hands-on test of the Subaru Forester Hybrid that we carried out. And now we have been able to live with it for a week, using the Forester in every possible situation: the city, a family road trip, and the occasional excursion off the tarmac…

Here, in 10 key points, are our impressions of the new Subaru Forester Hybrid. A SUV that is different and very special, for those looking for a robust, reliable car with excellent build quality and, above all, one that stands apart from the rest of the SUVs in this category thanks to off-road capabilities that very few can match.

As we will see below, it is a car with many virtues and very few faults.

1.- Fifth generation of the Subaru Forester: what it brings new

The current Subaru Forester is the fifth generation of this model, of which more than 4 million units have been sold since its launch, 340,000 of them in Europe. It is not an update; it is, therefore, a completely new car. The previous model went on sale in 2013 and received its last update in 2016. It was therefore in production for eight years.

The main highlight of the new Forester is that it is built on the new SGP platform of Subaru, a global platform it shares with the Impreza, already prepared for electrification. Among other things, the new platform promises 70% more torsional rigidity, 40% more energy absorption capacity and 50% less body roll, thanks largely to the technical solution of anchoring the anti-roll bars directly to the frame. That is the theory. But I can already tell you that in practice this is largely borne out.

Alongside the new platform, Subaru debuts on the Forester the in-house developed e-Boxer hybrid propulsion system, as well as multiple connectivity, multimedia and driver-assistance solutions. We will look at these later on.

2.- Cabin and boot of the Subaru Forester Hybrid

Subaru has always stood out for making practical and very well-finished cars. The new Forester is no exception. I would even say it is surprising. Some of the passengers we carried in the rear seats of the Forester on the days we lived with it also had the same impression, and they highlighted the comfort with which they travelled in those seats.

Without a doubt, those square body shapes, with a greater height than is usual in a category that increasingly seeks sportier and more streamlined designs, make themselves felt when it comes to making use of space. The Forester excels in every measurement: legroom in the back, an unusual (and unnecessary, but there it is) amount of headroom… but also width. You will hardly find an SUV of its size with better rear seats. One of those that come closest is another Japanese SUV, the Honda CR-V. You can read our test of the CR-V Hybrid here.

It is also notable how easy it is to access the cabin, thanks to the doors’ generous opening angle and the elevated seating position. And from the driver’s seat a magnificent visibility is appreciated, thanks to very slim pillars and a large glazed area. Other aspects I liked a lot are the driving position, the presence of large controls that are easy to operate without having to resort to the touchscreen, and the large number of practical recesses for storing objects.

As for cargo space, it offers 509 litres, which is not bad at all considering that the high-voltage battery of the hybrid system sits under the floor. By making use of the space up to the roof, you will have no problems even when travelling with a lot of luggage. And you can always fold down the rear seat backs, split 60/40. This can be done easily from controls located in the boot itself, which fold the backrest down onto the seat base. With the seats folded down you reach almost 1,800 litres of boot capacity.

In addition, there are hooks for hanging bags, four tie-down rings in the corners for anchoring nets to secure the load, and a power outlet. Our test unit had a rubber boot protector, very sturdy and easy to clean with a quick spray from a hose.

3. Controls and multimedia

At first, as soon as you sit behind the wheel of the Forester, the initial sensation is a little overwhelming because of the number of controls and screens, especially on the steering wheel, and because they seem somewhat scattered, without an obvious logic. But you quickly get used to the “layered” arrangement and end up finding what you want with ease. The most “hidden” buttons are for activating less common functions.

The best thing, along with the aforementioned build quality and fit, is that the feel of the controls is as solid as that of the dashboard materials or the door trims. And large control groups are maintained for the main functions, such as the radio or air conditioning.

The multimedia screen is complemented by a second screen above it that provides information related to the climate control and the vehicle, for example, the body tilt, or trip computer data. The analogue instrumentation, very easy to read, is completed by a colour screen between the dials, which shows the fuel level and the odometer, and lets you switch menus to check information on the hybrid system’s energy flow or the driver-assistance systems.

On the centre console, a rotary knob that at first seems to be for controlling the multimedia system lets you choose between different driving modes.

It may seem like a lot of information, a lot of buttons and a lot of screens, but it takes no time at all to get used to. In the end, it is more practical and, in my view, safer for day-to-day use than in cars where you almost always have to rely on the touchscreen. The multimedia system, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, offers graphics with large icons, and it is easy to move through the menus. There are 4 USB chargers, two of them fast, and voice control is also included.

4. The hybrid system of the Subaru Forester

The mechanical configuration of the Subaru Forester makes it a car that stands out from the ordinary. Firstly, because the engine is a boxer type, with four horizontally opposed cylinders. It also stands out for being paired with a continuously variable automatic gearbox, a type that has recently been relegated to small cars and which, personally, is one of the few things I don’t like about the car. Not because of how Subaru has solved it, but because this type of gearbox works that way, whatever the brand, and it has certain limitations. Lastly, another “oddity” is the permanent four-wheel drive.

As for the hybrid system configuration, which allows the Forester to display the DGT ECO label, it combines a 2.0 petrol engine with direct injection, chain-driven variable valve timing and 150 hp of power with an IGS alternator/generator, plus a more powerful second electric motor integrated into the automatic gearbox, capable of delivering 17 hp. The additional weight of the hybridisation, including the ISG, motor, battery, wiring and converter, is about 110 kg.

This allows the Forester Hybrid to receive “electric” assistance when pulling away, to restart the combustion engine every time it stops, and to run in fully electric mode when driving at very low speed (up to about 40 km/h) and with very little pressure on the accelerator pedal.

So far, it is all more or less like other similar self-charging hybrid cars. But in practice, the reality is that because the Forester’s electric motor is not very powerful, and the battery has a smaller capacity than is usual in cars of this type, the result is that the Forester Hybrid is one of the hybrid cars we have tested that spends the least time in electric mode. And the same can be said of the hybrid assistance, especially on motorway journeys.

5. The consumption and performance of the Subaru Forester Hybrid

Subaru announces a combined consumption reduction of 8% compared with the previous non-hybrid version. And it achieves it. But that is little, considering that the Subaru Forester was already a “thirsty” car. Furthermore, there are cars today that claim similar consumption reductions with much simpler, mild-hybrid systems.

This aspect, consumption, together with the operation of the automatic gearbox, are the only “buts” I would raise about the Forester. The 8.1 l/100 km officially homologated for combined consumption is very hard to achieve unless you drive with great care never to press the accelerator pedal a millimetre more than necessary. Journeys in the city, where the hybrid system works best, help bring the average down. But expect real-world consumption around 8.5 l/100 km, and close to double digits if you like to travel “light” or if the route forces frequent acceleration beyond what is needed to maintain steady cruising on the motorway.

In any case, it is not a figure that should put you off if you are considering a car with the Forester’s characteristics, unless you are going to be travelling constantly, in which case there are hybrid SUVs that use less, such as the Toyota RAV4. As for performance, the Forester is not the most powerful of the SUVs. And both the permanent all-wheel drive and the particular operation of the Lineartronic gearbox mean that, to move with agility, you have to be fairly heavy-footed on the right-hand pedal, with the negative effect on consumption already mentioned.

On the other hand, the gearbox is very smooth, clearly focused on comfort. What your body asks for is to let it work in automatic mode, although you can use it manually in sequential mode via the paddles on the steering wheel. But if you drive in automatic “D”, it tends to use the sixth of the seven gears with which Subaru has set up the gearbox, while in manual mode you can use seventh in situations where the car stays in sixth.

The SI-Drive button on the steering wheel lets you choose between an “intelligent” or sporty driving mode, which personalises the response of the accelerator and gearbox. In the second case, the difference is that the electric motor delivers more torque, earlier and for longer. It is noticeable on city journeys or at low speed; on the open road it hardly makes a difference, even when you floor the accelerator, for example to overtake.

6. On the move with the Forester: comfort above all

When it comes to covering the miles, the Forester’s chassis is a real surprise. The interior is much better insulated from aerodynamic noise than you might expect given its proportions. The body rolls much less on winding roads when you drive lightly than you would expect from a car with a ground clearance of 220 mm, more than most of its rivals. And the suspension works in a way that provides a great ride comfort. Without a doubt, the 60-profile tyres also contribute to this.

This makes the Forester Hybrid a great long-distance car, a good companion for long road trips, with even greater agility than smaller cars. The interior noise comes more from the high revs the engine climbs to when you accelerate, due to the operation of the variable-ratio gearbox. The steering feels precise, and the brake feel, always a little peculiar in a hybrid because of regenerative braking, causes no problems. The lighting system, with adaptive LED headlights as standard, also seemed adequate to me for travelling safely at night.

7. How does the Forester fare off the tarmac?

Much better than you might expect. This is no surprise if you have driven a Forester before.

To the favourable approach angles (20.2 degrees), departure angle (25.9 degrees) and breakover angle (21 degrees), add the generous ground clearance I mentioned, 22 cm, suspension travel longer than is normal for an SUV and, above all, a genuine four-wheel drive, which is very effective.

Without a doubt, a car very well suited to lovers of outdoor sports, especially those who need to cover the last kilometres before unloading their gear on tracks or rough roads, or who frequently drive on snowy roads. The towing capacity, 1,870 kg braked, is another point to consider in this respect.

The X-Mode system also helps when driving off-road. It is operated via the control on the centre console. It offers two driving modes, one normal and another that prioritises electric torque delivery, and lets you choose between two programmes for driving in low-grip conditions: snow and mud.

8. Range and prices of the Subaru Forester Hybrid

The Subaru Forester range has a single version, the hybrid. It is offered in three possible trim levels, and the discount currently in force is €2,000 in all cases, although to get it you must finance the purchase with the brand. These are the prices with the discount applied:

• Forester Hybrid Sport Plus: €32,950
• Forester Hybrid Executive: €35,650
• Forester Hybrid Executive Plus: €37,150

9. Equipment and driver assistance

When it comes to choosing equipment, note that these are closed versions, where you can only opt for metallic paint.

The Sport Plus versions already come very well equipped, with 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, heated seats, dual-zone climate control, a six-speaker audio system, rear camera and adaptive cruise control.

The Executive adds the high-beam assist, memory electric front seats, side view monitor, emergency braking system when reversing, and driver monitoring system. The “Plus” versions, meanwhile, add an automatic sunroof, leather upholstery and a PIN code access system.

All Foresters come as standard with the Eye Sight safety system, which includes collision-avoidance braking, brake assist, lane departure warning and lane-keeping assistance. The DMS driver monitoring system, fitted to our test unit, is quite curious. A camera “watches” you and detects if you take your eyes off the road for too long or get distracted, and alerts you with a warning.

10. Alternatives to the Forester Hybrid

Among the alternatives to the Forester Hybrid, if you are looking for an SUV of its size and price with the DGT ECO label, the standouts are the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, available from around €34,000 in 4×2 form and from €35,400 with 4×4 traction. The Honda CR-V Hybrid starts at €33,700 and rises to €42,850 in the luxurious Lifestyle 4×4 version. Both are more powerful and offer better performance and lower consumption.

Another option to consider, if the Forester’s off-road qualities are not a priority but low consumption is, would be the Hyundai Tucson, which offers Mild Hybrid versions with the 136 hp 1.6 diesel engine from €32,400.

Image gallery of the Subaru Forester Hybrid

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverSubaru Forester7 versions · from 39,900 €