Is the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid a good car?

The 7/10 expert rating points to a compact SUV that leans into efficiency and capability rather than outright speed. The standout strength is Safety at 8/10. According to the overview and test-drive notes, you get a more efficient hybrid version of Subaru’s redesigned compact SUV, plus more power and a few extra features, all wrapped in a package that’s comfortable and especially strong when the road gets rough. The main trade-offs are fairly pedestrian performance and a firm ride quality, so this makes the most sense if you value all-weather confidence, practicality, and off-road ability more than a plush ride or quick acceleration. With 30.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market gives you some room to shop carefully.

Is the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid reliable?

The overview and test-drive notes point to a vehicle that’s built around durability, everyday usability, and broad capability. The hybrid system is described as well-sorted, with smooth transitions between electric and gas power, and the brakes remain consistent whether regenerative braking or the physical brakes are doing the work. The cabin also uses harder-wearing materials in the rear seating area to better handle the abuse that kids and dogs can bring, which supports the Forester’s practical, long-haul character. The cost-effectiveness notes also show that the hybrid’s fuel savings can help offset its price premium over time, especially if you keep the vehicle long enough to benefit from lower fuel use. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that a firmer-riding, efficiency-focused SUV may feel less refined than you expect if you’re hoping for a softer daily driver.

What should I look for when buying a used 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 97.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re comparing multiple listings with different mileage, wheel sizes, or trim equipment. Focus on overall condition, tire wear, brake feel, and whether the cabin electronics and driver-assistance features operate cleanly, since those are the kinds of systems you’ll use every day. If you’re shopping a hybrid SUV for long-term ownership, it’s worth making sure the vehicle’s efficiency and comfort advantages are intact rather than assuming every example will feel the same.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The hybrid’s cabin gets a more modern look, including a large vertical infotainment screen and a digital instrument panel that’s exclusive to the Hybrid model. The top Touring trim adds ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, a driver attention monitor, and a contrasting black roof is available only on that trim.
• Powertrain: All Hybrid models use a 2.5-liter boxer engine with a parallel hybrid system and two motor/generators, producing 194 horsepower. Standard AWD and the driveshaft-based setup are part of the appeal if you want stronger traction and more consistent off-road reactions.
• Safety package: Subaru’s EyeSight suite is standard, with frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, rear automatic braking, and automatic high beams. The driver attention monitor is reserved for the top Touring trim.
• Infotainment: All Hybrid Foresters come with an 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen, built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. Higher trims add an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA estimates up to 35 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined. The cost-effectiveness notes also say owners can expect to save $300 per year in fuel costs.

Which 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid trim should I buy?

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid is offered in 2 trim levels: Premium and Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Premium: This is the entry point, and it gives you the hybrid powertrain, standard AWD, the 11.6-inch touchscreen, built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Subaru’s EyeSight safety suite. It’s the best-value trim if you want the hybrid’s core efficiency and capability without paying for the extra luxury touches.
• Touring: This is the better pick if you want the most comfort and convenience the Hybrid offers. It adds ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, a driver attention monitor, a contrasting black roof, and the available premium audio setup mentioned in the test-drive notes. It suits you best if you want the most fully equipped version and plan to keep the SUV for longer-term daily use.

EyeSight is standard across the Hybrid lineup, while the driver attention monitor is limited to the top Touring trim.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient and compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 458 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 97.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $36,424.04, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid safe?

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earns five-star ratings in every NHTSA evaluation except rollover protection, where it earns a four-star rating. It also carries an IIHS Top Safety Pick award based on the non-hybrid model’s results, with Good ratings in all categories except the newer moderate frontal overlap test, where it scored Acceptable.

It earns a 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Subaru’s EyeSight suite is standard on all Hybrid models, and it includes frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, rear automatic braking, and automatic high beams. The driver attention monitor is limited to the top Touring trim. In testing, the systems worked as intended, and the adaptive cruise control was especially smooth. One caveat from the test-drive notes is that the lane-keep assist’s audible alert can be loud, though it can be switched to visual warnings only.

Should I buy a 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2025 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2025 if:

• 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 97.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• The redesigned Forester Hybrid adds efficiency, more power, and a few extra features while keeping the model’s rugged, off-road-friendly character.

The bottom line: If you want the newest Forester Hybrid with the strongest mix of efficiency, safety, and capability, the 2025 is the one to target. If you’re more price-sensitive, you should still shop the market closely and focus on the best-conditioned example you can find, since the year’s moderate deal availability gives you room to compare listings before you commit.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.