Subaru Forester Hybrid 2022 review - should you buy this SUV, or choose the Toyota RAV4 hybrid?

[@ME-gr8hz]

Researched this car segment for the last 2 months, my findings, - 5th gen forester rated #1 in safety and readability over all others including RAV, trial hawk, honda and bronco. That said, it has been a long road for Subaru from the CVT , oil consumption, head gasket issues of past generation vehicles. At 6'3, CR just announced the Forester is #1 with tall drivers as well, no surprise as the "green house" visibility is very attractive. All the safety dings can be disabled permanently, with the exception of engine on/off at stop. After market solution will solve that as well. So, I will be picking up my Subaru Forester Wilderness (gas, hybrid incremental benefits don't match cost) / pearl white next week. Comfortable driving on and off road, safety and readability, looks, honest service advisors that I have visited with during this time, all have pushed me this direction. And finally driving my daughters 2017 Forester premium, sold me on being a Subie owner. Suggested maintenance to ensure long life; 30k diff (F/R) service, 40k CVT Transmission service, and oil changes every 4k. Compared to the Outback, Off road analysis/videos show the turbo in the Outback gets totally in the way of performance when climbing, as the Forester's new gearing and software changes bring much more to the equation over the turbo, in my opinion. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHfCe6edf5yUgbM No rock climbing, but adventuring, all day long... HAPPY TRAILS

[@ScottMurrayBestFamilyCars]

Just buy a regular Forester, honestly. $46K - just buy the 2.5i Premium.

[@craigoren4475]

I hope everyone is aware that this vehicle is not offered in the North American market. Subaru is reported to be working with Toyota's help on a hybrid Forester to be offered in North America, probably for model year 2025.

[@z1az285]

With Toyota's hybrid E-CVT transmission and hybrid system which will be far more efficient and reliable than Subaru's eboxer. Plus the eboxer mileage is extremely poor for a hybrid.

[@craigoren4475]

@@z1az285 Thanks! I truly hope that the Forester hybrid that comes to America is an outstanding vehicle.

[@z1az285]

@@craigoren4475Thanks 😁. I have a 2018 limited legacy which is an excellent car but I don't want to hang on to it for more than 8 years, since I've put a lot of miles on it so hopefully the Forester will work out

[@markhamer5112]

Hi. I really like these reviews that focus on practical daily use. Keep up the good work.

[@tonycoz2309]

Unfortunately the Subaru Forester hybrid is inferior to the RAV4 drive train. Do yourself a favour and go for the RAV4 even though it's a long wait.

[@z1az285]

Absolutely, however the 2025 Forester hybrid will use Toyota's hybrid system (better mileage for sure) and their E-CVT transmission. That might be interesting, but we will see. The devil is in the details.

[@c0smicwaverider]

Appreciate the family lens on the review. Unfortunately Subaru Australia are not taking any new orders till who knows when.

[@MrsBillWeasley]

Really? We ordered one in late April, was told August so hope it isn't delayed any further!

[@ScottMurrayBestFamilyCars]

@@MrsBillWeasley About April was when they stopped taking orders due to supply constraints. Keep checking with your dealer, and get their responses in writing. Just be patient, though. It's the whole industry and Subaru is one of the highest-demand brands at the moment. They're also pretty honest, as a brand.

[@c0smicwaverider]

@@MrsBillWeasley we ordered in March and were given a December date. But as BestFamilyCars noted, best to check in with the dealer. We'll be doing the same. Fingers crossed.

[@bobjuniel8683]

It is illegal to drink coffee while driving. Deep cup holders reduce the chance of a spill, and the cup is easy to lift out when parked.

[@andrewlangford88]

Hangon, 110kw and 7.5L/100km My 1997 Forester has 90KW and gets about 7-8l/100km..... Really hasn't come far in 25 years in the fuel consumption

[@Patrick-nl6ug]

Considering its engine produces 30Kw more power, it has to push 251kg of extra weight, and it passes 5 star ancap rating, while using the same amount of fuel. I'd say they have done a decent job.

[@VJHsaka]

Hi Cars Guide Team, is that tail lights incandescent lamp ? Coz you said it’s LED

[@stendecstretcher5678]

A good honest review thankyou.

[@Doc1855]

Too bad this isn’t offered in the USA

[@shanea9613]

What size and power is the hybrid component of the drivetrain? Missed that part.

[@robertceroli3512]

A good result on fuel consumption I would rate that as terrible 7.6 is the same as the standard 2.5 boxer eng but produces 136kw which is fair for medium SUV.so you have all that complexity and expense for no net gain in economy and poorer performance 110kw in a medium size SUV = underpowered

[@cityplanner3063]

Idk how you are getting 7.6/100km bc my 2.0 engine getting above 10L

[@robertceroli3512]

The official combined fuel usage is 7.4 for the 2.5 so I guess 90% of your trips are inner city /urban environment

[@z1az285]

Pretty pathetic mileage in all honesty. Which is why the next generation hybrid Forester will have Toyota's hybrid system and E-CVT transmission. Far more reliable and I'm sure the mileage numbers will be in RAV-4 hybrid ballpark or similar

[@francocagayat7272]

it has come a long way, and everything it's put together and we'll appointed except, if only Subaru has improved the engines more like this: -2.5L H4 now must be 206 HP -1.8Turbo H4 now must be 229 HP -and most of all......a better and more improved specs of their -E-BOXER HYBRID a bigger 2.5L H4 185 HP + a 190 HP electric motor....... "312 HP COMBINED OUTPUT"

[@JayJay-vu8tj]

Are the headlights any better than the Toyota RAV4 hybrid led lights at night?

[@sin_ner]

She has headlights alright. Huge ones too.

[@ScottMurrayBestFamilyCars]

They're better because they're steering-responsive. So you turn a left-hand corner, the lights swivel to help you see around them. RAV4 doesn't have this feature. Toyota calls its LED headlights parabolic, but basically all headlights are parabolic these days. RAV4 wait times are even longer than Forester, difference is Toyota keeps taking orders, Subaru had the courtesy to cease.

[@Wooburnmusic]

@@ScottMurrayBestFamilyCars something else to go wrong when gunge gets in there lol !

[@mmcin719]

We have owned 3 new Subaru's and none had good headlights, maybe they have improved them in the latest model. We own a 2022 Rav4 and it has good headlights.

[@mimib1142]

Good job. Thanks.

[@jonomab]

What a title... Doesn't mention the rav4 at all

[@francocagayat7272]

a more powerful Hybrid please? a bigger 2.5L H-4 + an electric motor = "312 HP TOTAL OUTPUT" enough to trounce the RAV4 PRIME PHEV (306 HP) and be the hottest Subaru Forester trim since the discontinued XT Turbo

[@dann5515]

42K hmmmmm..... that was half year ago.... now is FROM $48216* ....... 😭

[@johnhannonHanno]

Not into leather seats nor sun roofs, an electric tail gte is also a bit much and something else that will go wrong.

[@hollybolly1]

Hmmm. It’s a bit disappointing. Underpowered and hardly revolutionary. I’ve been a Subaru owner for a long time but will have to look at other options, maybe RAV4.

[@trojanhman8136]

Why don't car manufacturers give people what they want? It is very simple. People want larger more powerful motors, local tune for steering and suspension, comfortable seating and steering wheel position and feel; good visibility. Did I miss anything? Why don't manufacturers give these things? Why don't they listen? Who thinks 110kw is ever going to be ok? And when they increase this figure, will we get 210 kw or it it more likely to be 115 kw?

[@Wooburnmusic]

They don't know what to do next, anything but the good practical things.

[@jeffwisener1378]

Larger engine equals worse mpg. I don't think most people want worse mpg.

[@trojanhman8136]

@@jeffwisener1378 And yet everyone wants more power. They could bring in other technologies of course, to reduce fuel consumption, or they could just go with the water powered motor.

[@oddities-whatnot]

You buy Subaru if you prefer the sound of the boxer engine. Also, why is she laughing in the thumbnail ? What is that supposed to convey ? “Look at me, KZbin star” ? Wow.

[@Darmoth12]

*cries in 2.0t*

[@GlowingTube]

Subaru Hybrid… the pointless one!

[@reikiessence11]

Yis…. Drove their XV Hybrid with my 2017 Impreza being serviced. If driven the same, it was more “finicky”, or unsure picking what it was using, and it felt veeeeeeery laggy for a 2022. It was responsive enough to be safe, but seems far behind other vehicles of the moment. With no reduction in fuel use in my experience of it, quite confused as to the purpose of these hybrid systems. I recognise the desire to move towards electric - but at this point, I wonder as it doesn’t save on fuel, (I know it claims it does… but real world felt different to me), does the use of this electric really save the environment? (factoring in the making of the electric/battery) Have always been Subaru > Toyota in this segment, but with RAV4’s Hybrid system + the extras, even with less reliable AWD, still feels like the RAV wins.

[@pirihern9329]

Toyota all the way way more reliable

[@leedaq7767]

iam already getting around 7L/100km with 2020 forester LOL? better shop from Kia

[@Doc1855]

A hybrid isn’t offered in the USA. The 33 year old Depressing grey and death black interior colors which became popular in 1990 have to go. Over 1/2 my lifetime those drab, dark, boring colors have been shoved down everyone’s throats. Their horrible colors !

[@mantsisnick]

Do you take into account your extra cargo you carry on you dear?? It can affect fuel economy!!

[@sin_ner]

OMG ⚖️

[@AJ-qn6gd]

Un called for 😡

[@bigfellajoe7825]

Idiot

[@CountryB4Party]

Being unnecessarily unkind is a sign of limited intelligence and low self esteem.

[@sin_ner]

Poor lady always gets roasted for her size.