Deep dive with new Toyota RAV4 rival (Subaru Forester Hybrid 2025 review)
We get behind the wheel of the new-generation Subaru Forester range at its Australiasian launch for a complete deep-dive review to see how the new mid-size SUV fares both on road and off-road.
Here, Chasing Cars road test editor John Law explores the whole range, but focussed the testing on the all-important new 145kW “strong hybrid” variants to see whether, this time around, Subaru delivers series-parallel hybrid performance and efficiency to rival – or beat – the hugely popular Toyota RAV and relative newcomers such as Hyundai Tucson HEV.
While pricing is up on the seven-variant range, the Forester now starts from $43,490. Our key test subject is the highest-spec all-you-can-eat Touring petrol-electric, loaded with features and clocking in at $55,990 before on-roads.
Time codes:
0:00 – Intro
0:28 – What’s changed?
1:20 – Pricing
1:57 – Design
2:21 – Interior
3:31 – Tech
4:51 – Row two
6:30 – Boot space
7:46 – Running costs
8:30 – On road
8:56 – Petrol v Hybrid
10:11 – Hybrid usability
10:43 – Off-road
11:35 – Ride and handling
12:24 – Sport grade
13:15 – Refinement
14:00 – Safety
14:57 – Braking
15:25 – Verdict
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