Motor Image Pilipinas, the distributor of Subaru in the Philippines, has officially entered the electrification era with today’s major launch. Revealed at the Boxer Madness 6, the 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid is the brand’s first hybrid offering in the Philippine market.
While there has been a Forester Hybrid in the outgoing generation, it was a weak hybrid system that didn’t really contribute much in terms of fuel economy or even performance. That’s all set to change with this new generation model. Unlike before, where the previous Forester Hybrid used a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine and a weak electric motor, this new one is a stronger hybrid as seen in the recently-revealed Crosstrek S:HEV Hybrid in Japan.
In this case, it combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine with an electric motor that provides a system output of 194 horses. The electric motor uses a 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery, and it can power the vehicle in pure electric mode at short distances and intervals. As a result, Subaru’s own testing in Taiwan revealed that the new Forester e-Boxer can travel for more than 1,200 kilometers in a full tank of gas.
The hybrid system is all hooked up to a familiar Lineatronic CVT, while in typical Subaru fashion, all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard. However, unlike many automakers who are moving towards electronic AWD systems for their hybrids, Subaru chose to retain the mechanical Symmetrical AWD setup in the Forester Hybrid for more consistent and natural power delivery.
As for its design, this marks the first time that the sixth-generation 2026 Subaru Forester makes its way into the Philippines. The front fascia contains a wide grille that merges with the LED headlights and a reinterpretation of Subaru’s signature C-shaped LED daytime running lights on each end. The grille is visually connected to these headlights, while the LED foglights are smaller than before.
Only one variant will be sold in the Philippines, and it features 19-inch wheels, a powered tailgate, and a large sunroof. Other exterior design highlights include various e-Boxer badges all around the vehicle, while the D-pillars contain the “Symmetrial AWD” logo for the first time. Subaru would also be happy to tell you that the new Forester’s platform comes with a 10 percent increase in rigidity. At the same time, handling has been improved further by using the WRX’s responsive steering rack (just like in the Crosstrek).
Moving inside the 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid, its interior design is pretty much what you’ve seen in every other Subaru on sale today, inheriting tech features such as an 11.6-inch portrait Starlink touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Unfortunately, the digital gauges from the overseas models are not available in the Philippines. Other premium features include a Harman Kardon sound system, power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, and an interior that’s filled with rugged but premium materials.
New for the 2026 Subaru Forester e-Boxer is a feature called Emergency Driving Stop System (EDSS) that’s part of the EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. EDSS is a safety feature that brings the Forester e-Boxer hybrid safely to a full stop if the system detects that the driver is unresponsive, whether due to health concerns or drowsiness. Of course, stuff like full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane centering, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera are all fitted as standard.
The 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid is now on sale across all of the brand’s dealers with a price tag of P2,498,000, undercutting the CR-V Hybrid, but slightly above the RAV4 Hybrid (though there are discounts of up to P200,000 currently being offered by Toyota).
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