New 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Interior, Pictures, MPG
New 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Interior, Pictures, MPG – The 2026 Forester Hybrid fulfills one of the most natural yet overlooked pairings in all the automotive universe: a compact Subaru SUV with a hybrid powertrain. True, this isn’t the company’s first attempt at blending internal combustion and electrons, but the previous efforts focused on the smaller Crosstrek left us uninspired. The 2026 Forester Hybrid combines a version of Subaru’s familiar flat-four internal combustion engine with a pair of electric motors and ups the efficiency quotient without disrupting the Forester’s trademark knock-around, room-for-five, all-wheel drive personality.
Subtle “Hybrid” exterior badging underscores its green ambitions, but you’ve still got advanced features like hill descent control, torque vectoring, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance to help get you through the mud and snow that often stands between outdoorsy types and their destinations. Outside of the powertrain, the 2026 Forester Hybrid offers new exterior styling, a slightly larger footprint, and a few tweaks including additional body adhesives for improved structural rigidity, increased sound-deadening materials, and thicker glass, all aimed at providing a more peaceful experience for drivers of this sixth-generation segment stalwart.
Table of Contents
New 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior and Interior
We haven’t experienced the 2026 Forester Hybrid first-hand yet, but we have had enough seat time in its nonhybrid sibling to make some observations. There are new seats with more aggressive thigh and shoulder bolsters, upgraded material quality across the cabin, and, in some trims, a leather-clad steering wheel. Cargo volume in the nonhybrid measures 28 cubic feet behind the second row and 68 with it folded; we’ll have to wait till we get a Hybrid model to see if the new hardware reduces cargo room and if its spacious back seat is compromised.
New 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Specs
Inside, a large 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard and includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster features navigation functionality with Apple Maps compatibility. A wireless smartphone charging pad is standard, as are Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity; AM/FM and Satellite radio stereo, and the ability to receive over-the-air updates. New 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Interior
Engine and Performance
Subaru’s new powertrain comprises a 2.5-liter flat-four engine running the more efficient Atkinson cycle and a pair of electric motors, one driving the wheels and the other serving as a motor generator. The battery is a 1.1-kWh sealed lithium-ion unit. Subaru calls the hybrid setup a “series-parallel system,” as it can switch between the engine or the electric motor to power the wheels depending on the situation. The combined output is 194 horsepower, an increase of 14 ponies over the nonhybrid Forester. A CVT (continuously variable transmission) and all-wheel drive are standard, and there’s a generous 8.7 inches of ground clearance. During our initial test drive of the Forester Hybrid, we found it to be quieter than the standard model and a bit more responsive due to its extra horsepower.
New 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Fuel Economy
The Forester Hybrid is EPA-rated for 35 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. When we get a chance, we’ll take the Forester Hybrid on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route and update this story with test results. The Forester is many things, but quick is not one of them. The last 2026 nonhybrid Forester we tested required 8.3 seconds to saunter to 60 mph. We expect the Hybrid to shave a small amount of time from that, but we’ll know for sure as soon as we test one. New 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Interior
New 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Safety Features
All models come standard with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of camera-based driver-assistance features. For more information about the Forester’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control. New 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Interior
New 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Price and Release Date
The price of the 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid starts at $36,415 and goes up to $43,115 depending on the trim and options. The Forester Hybrid comes in four trims, Premium, Sport, Limited, and. Touring. Of those, we think the Sport is the most compelling, with niceties such as 19-inch wheels, an 11-speaker Harman/Kardon stereo, a gloss-black front grille, and faux-leather upholstery. New 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Interior
