Subaru Forester 2020 review: Hybrid S

It’s hard to tell the regular Forester S from the Hybrid S, save for a badge on the back suggesting it's a hybrid.

The Forester looks solid, like a station wagon with the height of an SUV.

So, they look as a Forester does... solid. A station wagon with the height of an SUV.

Subaru is one of the only companies to champion this shape and it works well, carving a point of difference in the crowded mid-size SUV market. 

Subaru is one of the only companies to champion this shape and it works well.

Inside is quite stylish. Being the top-of-the-range model there are leather seats that are also heated and power adjustable. There’s a leather steering wheel that feels lovely under the hands and a sunroof to let light through the car. 

The centre console looks good, but is a little fussy with an overzealous use of buttons and a split screen situation which is confusing at first, but it's  not a deal breaker.

The addition of metal inserts on the foot pedals really lift the whole design of the car. 

The Forester Hybrid S drives well and it takes out all those things you’ve heard about electric cars and may not be fond of.

For example, it coasts along without your foot having to be on the accelerator, and they’ve added in some noise so pedestrians can hear the car on approach rather than it creeping along silently at low speeds. 

There’s no issue with power as it has a 2.0-litre petrol engine along with the electric motor which gives instant acceleration.

It gets up hills quickly, there’s no issue with power as it has a 2.0-litre petrol engine along with the electric motor which gives instant acceleration, so it doesn't have a lag.

The steering is slightly stiff to turn but you get used to that the more you drive it and by the end of the week it felt normal to me. 

I think the electric motor added agility and made the Forester feel more nimble than usual, so if anything it’s a benefit because of that.

But how and when does the hybrid kick in? The electric motor can work on its own at speeds under 24km/h. It works together with the petrol engine at medium speeds, and then at higher speeds, the petrol engine takes over completely.

Subaru says the electric motor also takes over if you’re coasting along without the accelerator, for example downhill, and the petrol engine will kick in when you hit the accelerator. 

Compared to the fuel consumption of a regular Subaru Forester (7.4L/100km), this 'e-Boxer' Hybrid S (6.7L/100km), isn’t that different.

The system is designed to save fuel in urban, high traffic areas. But when you compare the claimed fuel consumption of a regular Subaru Forester (7.4L/100km) to this 'e-Boxer' Hybrid S (6.7L/100km), there isn’t that much difference.

And when you compare it to other hybrid cars like the Toyota RAV4, the fuel saving is minimal. This week, the average fuel consumption I got was 12.3L/100km, but I did do a lot of stop/start driving mainly in the city, so it’s not the best representation of what it can do. 

It’s a fairly standard car to park. Even though the Forester is long I was able to squeeze into a number of tight parking spaces on a few rainy school runs this week where the competition is fierce.

It has a clear reversing camera with a bonus 360-degree view, as well as a front side view on the top split screen. I did find this confusing but I’m sure if I drove the car for a bit longer I’d get used to it. 

The Forester is a good height for young children to climb in and out of, and also lift things out of the boot without having to bend over too much (and possibly hurt your back). 

There are power adjustable seats in the front and they are heated. There are also a number of reminders which are subtle enough not to annoy you and actually serve their purpose well: a nudge to tell you the car in front has started moving if you stay stationary, and a reminder to look into the back seat before leaving the car. 

There are two cupholders in the front, a spot for keys and a phone, a large centre storage bin with a usable shelf, and bottle holders in each door.

Rear passengers get their own air vents and two cupholders in the centre armrest. There are four USB points in the car - two in the front and two in the back - which is so useful when you’re travelling with children.

The Forester scored a maximum five ANCAP stars when it was assessed in 2019., and safety is covered with rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring , lane keep assist, and auto emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

There’s also what Subaru calls 'Eye Sight', which works by capturing 3D images via a pair of cameras at the top of the front windscreen.

If the system sees anything that might pose a danger, it warns you audibly, urging you to take action and brake. It may automatically apply the brakes if you don’t.

There are also airbags to cover the driver and front passenger and side curtain airbags that extend to the back row. You’ll also find two ISOFIX points and three top tether points across the back seat to fit kids car seats in safely. 

The Subaru Forester Hybrid S comes in at $45,990 before on-road costs.

It's covered by Subaru's five year/unlimited km warranty. There is also an eight year/160,000 high voltage battery warranty.

Servicing is required every 12 months/15,000 km and there is a five year capped servicing program.