Just over a year after the world premiere of the sixth-generation Forester, Subaru has now pulled the covers off the Hybrid model ahead of the Chicago Auto Show this weekend. As previously reported, the car derives its petrol-electric powertrain from the latest Crosstrek Hybrid, which in turn took the technology from Toyota’s highly successful hybrid models.
The Strong Hybrid system, as the Pleiades brand calls it, is a series-parallel setup that replaces the mild hybrid e-Boxer offered on the previous Forester. This consists of a larger 2.5 litre Atkinson-cycle naturally-aspirated flat-four (the e-Boxer used a 2.0 litre mill) mated to two electric motors, these being a motor-generator that charges the 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery and a traction motor that provides motive power.
No outputs for the engine and traction motor were provided, but in the Crosstrek Hybrid those power sources produced 160 PS and 209 Nm of torque and 88 PS and 270 Nm respectively. Subaru did, however, release a total system output for the Forester Hybrid, which is 197 PS – up from 182 PS on the 2.5 litre petrol model.
The motors, eCVT (still branded as Lineartronic), front differential gear and electronically-controlled coupling are integrated into a single transaxle, routing both petrol and electric power to all four wheels and enabling the use of one or the other (or both) to drive the car, unlike the e-Boxer system. The car retains Subaru’s trademark symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, setting the Forester Hybrid apart from Toyota’s E-Four setup that adds a separate electric motor to turn the rear wheels.
In terms of fuel consumption, the Forester Hybrid is estimated to hit an EPA-rated 6.7 litres per 100 km in the city, 6.9 litres per 100 km on the highway and 6.7 litres per 100 km combined, figures that are up to 40% lower in the city and up to 25% lower combined. Subaru claims up to 935 km of total range.
The company also says the Forester Hybrid retains the standard model’s off-road prowess – besides the aforementioned AWD system, the car also features an impressive 220 mm in ground clearance and comes with dual-function X-Mode with hill descent control, torque vectoring by braking and Vehicle Dynamics Control.
Beyond the new powertrain, the Forester Hybrid retains the sixth-gen’s rather uninspired blocky design, albeit with a contrasting Crystal Black Silica roof on certain colours and a unique Daybreak Blue Pearl colour option.
Inside, you’ll find the same 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but there’s a new 12.3-inch digital instrument display with hybrid-specific screens. Animal-free StarTex upholstery is available on select trim levels.
Safety-wise, the Forester Hybrid is fitted as standard in the US with the latest EyeSight suite of driver assistance systems, now featuring reverse autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring with collision prevention and rear cross traffic alert.
Emergency stop assist has also been added, detecting if a driver is unresponsive to warnings while using adaptive cruise control, stopping the vehicle and placing a call to emergency services. The Forester Hybrid will enter US dealers in the spring, priced starting from US$34,995 (RM155,200).
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