Subaru Forester e-Boxer Hybrid Review

by Sean Loo, 10 November 2025

The Subaru Forester is a rugged reminder that while fashion might fade, function will endure.

There are cars that dazzle you with digital gimmickry. There are those that promise Nürburgring lap times, even if their most spirited outing is the IKEA carpark. And then there’s the Subaru Forester.

Now in its sixth generation, the Forester isn’t here to trend on TikTok. It’s the automotive equivalent of that one friend who still wears the same fleece from 2002, not because they’re behind the times, but because it still works perfectly.

Built before SUVs were cool

Rewind to 1997. The term ‘SUV’ hadn’t yet become the genre-defining buzzword it is today. And yet, the first-generation Forester quietly carved a niche all its own part estate, part SUV, wholly practical. It was boxy, capable, and didn’t care for pretence. It still doesn’t.

And that’s precisely what makes this sixth-generation Forester so endearing. It hasn’t tried to reinvent itself as a fashion-forward urban soft-roader. Instead, it continues to serve adventure-seekers with unwavering dedication. AWD is standard. Ground clearance is a generous 220mm. And visibility? Practically panoramic.

What’s changed?

Well, not much, and that’s not a bad thing. Subaru has been careful here. The 2.5-litre flat-four e-Boxer engine still powers all four wheels via a CVT gearbox. The chassis remains largely the same. Even the footprint hasn’t grown much, which is a blessing when navigating tight roads.

What is new, though, is the design. Slimmer headlights and cleaner body lines bring a touch more sophistication.

Simple and sensible

Gone are the days of Subaru’s random smorgasbord of plastics and textures. The new cabin is calm, cohesive, and surprisingly modern. The instrument cluster is clear and mercifully free of overdesigned animations.

There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charger, and USB-A and USB-C ports scattered front and back. Climate controls get their own permanent section on the screen, with real buttons for temperature and defrost. Glory be.

That said, the infotainment fonts are a jumbled mess, and the Starlink splash screen could give Elon Musk heart palpitations. But ergonomically, it all works.

The 487-litre boot is wide but shallow, thanks to the battery underneath, and there’s no spare tyre. A shame for a car built to explore the uncharted path.

e-Boxer: mild on power, milder on hybrid

Despite the flashy ‘e-Boxer’ badge, don’t expect any plug-in wizardry here. This is a hybrid at best, with an electric motor more akin to a helpful assistant than a co-pilot.

The century sprint is a leisurely 9.4 seconds. It’s not going to win any drag races at traffic lights, but the ride is smooth, the engine refined, and the CVT surprisingly bearable if you’re not trying to wring its neck.

Real-world fuel economy hovers around 8.0L/100km, which is stellar given the weight, drivetrain, and size of the Forester.

Still drives like a Subaru

There’s an honesty to the way the Forester handles itself. The steering is light but confident, body control is well managed, and the car seems to enjoy carving through corners far more than its spec sheet would suggest.

Yes, it’s slow. But once you’ve built up some speed, it holds momentum like a stubborn Labrador dragging its owner through the park. There’s traction for days, and with Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive, it’ll laugh in the face of muddy trails and gravel paths.

Subaru’s EyeSight system is one of the more comprehensive safety suites out there. Adaptive cruise control with lane centring works well, and there are 360-degree cameras to aid with parking this boxy brute.

But the driver-monitoring system is… enthusiastic. On our test, driving into the sun with a squint apparently triggered a sleep warning. It screamed, flashed lights, and demanded our attention. It can be disabled, but it’s buried in a menu maze.

Built for the long haul, not the fast lane

The Subaru Forester e-Boxer is for people who want a practical, honest, go-anywhere machine that won’t quit halfway through the journey. It may not be as fast, but it’ll get you and your gear, dogs, or kids wherever you need to go.

It’s the sort of car that earns your respect over time, like a well-worn pair of hiking boots or your dad’s trusty Swiss Army knife. Dependable. Loyal. And with just enough quirks to keep things interesting.

The Forester dares to be old-school. And frankly, we need more cars like it.

Technical Specifications