A Guide to Hybrid Cars & SUVs
Hybrid and electric vehicles have gained a lot of attention in recent years as more drivers look to reduce their carbon footprint. Hybrid vehicles offer drivers more options, with both a fuel-efficient electric engine and a gasoline-powered engine that recharges the vehicle’s battery and adds extra power to the driving experience.Â
Learn more about the benefits and technology behind hybrid vehicles and take a look at the history – and future – of Subaru hybrid vehicles.
The History and Future of Subaru Hybrid Vehicles
Subaru has a long reputation for rugged performance and unwavering safety, but you can also trace a continued commitment to conserving the Earth throughout our history.Â
From the Crosstrek Hybrid to the Forester Hybrid, Subaru hybrid vehicles embody our devotion to sustainable driving without compromise. As a result, you can rely on all the power, all the safety, and all the adventure you’ve come to know and love in a Subaru—with a little more love for the planet built in.Â
Let’s take a closer look at Subaru models that represent the past and the future of our mark on the hybrid vehicle market.
The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
In early fall 2025, adventure will take on a new form with the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid compact SUV. The Crosstrek Hybrid returns to the Subaru line-up with improved efficiency, driving range, and lower fuel emissions. Plus, with an all-new hybrid system that works seamlessly with the capability of Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, the new 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid will provide the off-road adventure, capability, and smart value expected in a Subaru.
Learn more about the 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid.
The Subaru Forester Hybrid
The upcoming 2025 Forester Hybrid will represent our return to the hybrid crossover SUV space and combines the latest in hybrid technology with all the versatility, reliability, and rugged performance of its gasoline-powered counterpart.Â
The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid begins an exciting new era for the beloved compact crossover SUV. Blending the signature Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system with eco-conscious engineering and design, the new edition promises to deliver an impressive combination of efficiency and capability, giving drivers considering a new Forester Hybrid a lot to look forward to.
Learn more about the 2025 Forester Hybrid.
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Benefits of Choosing a Hybrid Vehicle
Compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid vehicles reduce impact on the environment. Hybrids across the auto industry have long been lauded for their reduced reliance on gasoline, and plug-in models incorporate electric power, resulting in fewer emissions. Acknowledging the growing need for sustainable transportation solutions, eco-conscious drivers who choose a hybrid can feel good about contributing fewer pollutants to the atmosphere without having to sacrifice safety, performance, and versatility.Â
Thanks to lower fuel consumption and a streamlined drivetrain design, hybrid owners may notice long-term savings on both gasoline and maintenance. Additionally, financial incentives such as tax credits or rebates may be available to those purchasing a new or used Subaru hybrid, offering further savings.
Understanding Hybrid Vehicle Technology
The principle of any hybrid system is seamless integration of electric power and a gasoline engine to deliver optimized performance and efficiency. But it’s how systems harness and utilize these power sources that’s evolved as technologies advance.Â
Looking at the Subaru approach to hybrid vehicles, the experience combines the best of both worlds: our powerful SUBARU BOXER® engine and an electric motor to offer a more responsive, fuel-efficient approach to driving.Â
When driving, the BOXER engine can either power your vehicle directly or charge the battery, depending on driving conditions. In EV mode, a Subaru hybrid operates solely on electric power at lower speeds – ideal for city driving or in situations where traffic flow stops and starts, which can be less fuel-efficient in traditional gasoline-fueled vehicles.Â
When traveling at low speeds, recharging comes from engine power, while a process called regeneration (or regenerative braking) allows hybrid batteries to recapture kinetic energy produced during deceleration or coasting. This helps offer extended driving range in EV mode.
Hybrid Features and Technology
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Previous and future Subaru hybrid models include a robust suite of advanced features and technologies that enhance safety, connectivity, and comfort. Both the 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid and the 2025 Subaru Forester are also equipped with features that can deliver enhanced traction, stability, and handling to conquer challenging weather and road conditions with ease.
Additionally, the 2025 Forester Hybrid includes standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, the Subaru DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System, and MySubaru Connected Services® In-Vehicle Technology, an intuitive connectivity system that delivers multimedia content, smartphone access, turn-by-turn navigation, and enhanced safety directly to your vehicle’s infotainment screen. Features are divided into two categories: Subaru Multimedia System, which refers to all smartphone integration and entertainment components, including onboard Wi-Fi; and MySubaru Connected Services, which refers to components that offer access to key emergency, safety, and convenience services like roadside assistance, maintenance and diagnostic alerts, and remote engine start.
The 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid comes with the latest version of the award-winning EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, which has been upgraded for smoother and quicker operation. It also features a 12.3-inch fully digital gauge cluster and an 11.6-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration.
The Environmental Impact of Hybrid Vehicles
Switching to a hybrid vehicle can help you leave a lighter carbon footprint. Hybrid vehicles produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, contributing less to air pollution and helping mitigate climate change—a driving principle of the Subaru Love Promise and a commitment to a more sustainable future. Hybrid vehicles also offer greater fuel economy, which translates to less reliance on fossil fuels and less consumption of non-renewable energy sources. It’s a win for your wallet and a win for the planet!
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Learn More About Subaru Hybrid Vehicles
Whether you're anticipating the arrival of the Crosstrek Hybrid or looking to get behind the wheel of the eco-conscious Forester Hybrid, there's a lot of love about the Subaru family of hybrid vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hybrid Vehicles
What is a hybrid vehicle?
A hybrid vehicle uses both an internal combustion (gas) engine and one or more electric motors operating together to deliver optimized efficiency while producing minimal emissions and air pollutants.
How do hybrid batteries charge?
The gas engine in a hybrid vehicle charges the battery by delivering power when the charge level is depleted. Hybrid batteries also charge using regenerative braking power, which harnesses the kinetic energy created during coasting and deceleration. Regeneration occurs seamlessly during the natural course of driving a hybrid car. Some hybrid vehicles also have plug-in capability, meaning they can replenish their batteries using a properly-equipped 120V or 240V outlet.
Do hybrid cars actually save money?
Many hybrid owners enjoy long-term cost savings by naturally using less gasoline and filling up less frequently than they would with a traditional combustion engine-powered vehicle. Hybrids that feature a functional EV mode and can travel short to moderate distances without using gasoline may see more significant savings.
What is the difference between a hybrid and a fully electric vehicle?
Hybrid vehicles contain both an internal combustion engine and an electric power source, while fully electric vehicles contain only an electric power source. Hybrids can function on gasoline alone, while EVs use no gasoline and can only operate with a fully or partially charged battery pack.
