10 Worthy Alternatives To The Subaru Forester Hybrid

The Subaru Forester Hybrid is a surprisingly underrated SUV in its segment. One of the reasons for that could be that the hybrid version of the compact crossover/SUV was introduced just earlier this year. With prices starting at $36,595 for the base trim, the Forester Hybrid is a well-rounded package with ample performance, modern features, and impressive reliability.

Base Trim Engine

2.5L H4 ICE

Base Trim Transmission

8-speed CVT

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

180 HP @5800 RPM

Base Trim Torque

178 lb.-ft. @ 3700 RPM

Fuel Economy

26/33/29 mpg

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

26/33/29 MPG

Make

Subaru

Model

Forester

The Forester Hybrid even comes with Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel drive system with X-Mode and up to 1,500 pounds of towing capacity. Having said that, with the growing popularity of hybrid vehicles, it faces strong competition from the likes of South Korean and American compact SUVs, apart from its hugely popular Japanese rivals like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid.

2025 Lexus NX350h

Starting Price: $45,470

Base Trim Engine

2.5L Inline-4 Hybrid

Base Trim Transmission

Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

240 hp

Base Trim Torque

167 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm

Fuel Economy

84 MPGe/36 mpg combined (PHEV) | 41/37/39 mpg (350h)

Make

Lexus

Model

NX Hybrid

Segment

Compact Luxury SUV

Infotainment & Features

9 /10

The Lexus NX350h is one of the most premium options in the compact crossover/SUV segment, and the price tag reflects the same. The hybrid powertrain consists of a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four engine connected to a pair of permanent-magnet synchronous motors. Combined, the system generates 240 horsepower, which allows the NX350h to sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in a claimed 7.2 seconds before it tops out at 112 MPH. It even boasts a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds thanks to the ICE twisting out 163 pound-feet of torque. According to EPA estimates, the NX350h returns 41/37/39 MPG on the city/highway/combined cycle.

Being a Lexus, the NX350h features a premium cabin with leather seats (on higher trims) along with multiple color options to choose from. On the features front, it comes with a 9.8-inch touchscreen as standard, while a 14-inch display is optional. Other standard features include dual-zone climate control, NuLuxe synthetic leather upholstery, and electrically adjustable front seats with heating. Upgrading to the aptly-named Premium and Luxury trims gives you the quintessential Lexus experience, but that will require you to spend well over $50,000.

2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid

Starting Price: $38,890

Base Trim Engine

1.6 L/98

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Fuel Economy

36/36/36 mpg (FWD) | 34/34/34 mpg (AWD)

Make

Kia

Model

Sorento Hybrid

Segment

Midsize SUV

If you are in the market for an affordable three-row hybrid SUV, the Kia Sorento Hybrid is a great option. It balances affordability, practicality, efficiency and reliability, making it a great alternative to the plethora of Japanese compact crossovers/SUVs available on the market. The Sorento is powered by a 1.6-liter inline-four turbo-petrol engine combined with two electric motors. Together, the hybrid setup manages to produce a healthy output of 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Kia offers the Sorento with both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. The FWD trim can return 36 MPG, while the AWD comes with slightly less efficiency of 34 MPG.

On the inside, the Sorento can seat up to seven occupants on the base trim. The top-spec X-Line SX Prestige model comes with comfortable captain seats in the second row. There’s ample screen estate in the form of connected displays for the driver and infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In terms of safety, the Sorento gets a bunch of advanced driver assistance systems along with a slew of active and passive safety features.

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

Starting Price: $36,150

Base Trim Engine

1.6L Smartstream I4 Hybrid

Base Trim Transmission

6-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

178 HP @5500 RPM

Base Trim Torque

195 lb.-ft. @ 1500 RPM

Base Trim Battery Type

Lithium ion (Li-ion)

Make

Hyundai

Model

Santa Fe Hybrid

Segment

Midsize SUV

Remove the Hyundai logo, and people might mistake the Santa Fe for an American SUV. That’s mostly due to the boxy styling of the SUV, which is a major departure from the curvy styling of its predecessor. With prices starting at just over $36,000, the Santa Fe is currently the most affordable three-row hybrid SUV on the market. Underneath the skin, the Santa Fe shares a lot with the Kia Sorento, including the powertrain options. Despite its rather boxy dimensions, it manages to return a combined efficiency rated between 34 and 36 MPG by the EPA. When it comes to reliability, it falls slightly behind the Sorento due to owners reporting some electrical glitches.

Thanks to boxy dimensions, there is impressive space on the inside, which makes it a versatile option for buyers with large families. To make things comfortable for all occupants, the Santa Fe comes with individual seating and armrests in the second row, along with USB charging ports for all rows. Like most of its rivals, it is loaded with tech and safety features for better convenience and peace of mind.

2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid

Starting Price: $35,630

Base Trim Engine

2L I4 Hybrid

Base Trim Transmission

CVT

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

145 HP @6100 RPM

Base Trim Torque

138 lb.-ft. @ 4500 RPM

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

43/36/40 MPG

Base Trim Battery Type

Lead acid battery

Make

Honda

Model

CR-V Hybrid

The CR-V hybrid first joined the game in 2020 and, ever since, it has only been growing in popularity. In typical Honda fashion, the manufacturer has kept things simple by combining its tried and tested 2.0-liter inline-four naturally aspirated engine with an electric motor and a battery. With peak outputs of 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, it does not provide the same performance as its Korean rivals. However, it provides something more important—reliability and better efficiency. The CR-V hybrid boasts an EPA-estimated, combined fuel efficiency of 40 MPG and 37 MPG for the front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions, respectively.

This Honda crossover will impress you with the amount of space it offers for the occupants and their luggage. The overall interior layout is functional with a seven-inch infotainment screen, which can be upgraded to a larger nine-inch unit. In an era where large screens dominate the interiors, Honda should be appreciated for providing ample physical switches to control important functions.

2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid

Starting Price: $33,970

Base Trim Engine

2.5L SKYACTIV-G I4 ICE

Base Trim Transmission

SKYACTIV-Drive 6-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

187 hp

Base Trim Torque

185 lb.-ft. @ 4000 RPM

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

25/31/28 MPG

Base Trim Battery Type

Lead acid battery

Make

Mazda

Model

CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 is another underrated option in the compact hybrid crossover/SUV segment, which manages to deliver more than what its price tag would suggest. For starters, the hybrid setup on this car consists of a 2.5-liter inline-four engine connected with a pair of electric motors that manage to put out 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque, while delivering 38 MPG of combined efficiency (estimated).

Even the base version of the CX-50 hybrid comes loaded with a decent amount of features like an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated seats, a 10.25-inch full-color display, and a seven-inch LCD speedometer. There’s also an ample amount of space in the cabin for the occupants, along with decent cargo space for a compact crossover/SUV.

2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

Starting Price: $33,465

Fuel Economy

38/38/38 (Blue) | 35/35/35 mpg

Make

Hyundai

Model

Tucson Hybrid

Segment

Compact SUV

The Tucson is one of Hyundai’s best-selling models globally. It punches above its weight by providing multiple powertrain options, premium cabin experience, and decent reliability. It features the same hybrid setup as the Santa Fe and Sorento, but thanks to the Tucson being lighter compared to the other two, the hybrid setup manages to deliver 38 MPG on this SUV.

For 2025, Hyundai introduced some subtle but noticeable updates that uplift the premium experience of the cabin. The dashboard now features a more minimal look with a larger 12.3-inch screen for the infotainment system. The front occupants get 40.1 inches of headroom and 41.4 inches of legroom. Meanwhile, in the rear seats, you get 39.5 inches of headroom and 41.3 inches of legroom.

2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Starting Price: $32,850

Base Trim Engine

Dynamic Force Hybrid

Base Trim Transmission

CVT

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

176 HP @5700 RPM

Base Trim Torque

163 lb.-ft. @ 3600 RPM

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

41/38/39 MPG

Base Trim Battery Type

Lead acid battery

Make

Toyota

Model

RAV4 Hybrid

The Toyota RAV4 hybrid is one of the most popular SUVs in the country, and for good reasons. It packs in a 2.5-liter inline-four engine paired with an electric motor, which delivers 219 horsepower while achieving up to 40 MPG combined. Combine this with Toyota’s track record of providing impressive reliability and the RAV4 hybrid almost becomes a no-brainer.

Additionally, the RAV4 hybrid comes with all-wheel drive, spacious interiors, modern features, and advanced safety aids, making it a versatile option for buyers looking to do urban commuting, outdoor travel, and even some exploration. Earlier this year, Toyota introduced a comprehensive update for the RAV4, which brings in a lot of exciting changes. So, you might want to wait for the 2026 model to go on sale before choosing your next hybrid vehicle.

2025 Ford Escape Hybrid

Starting Price: $32,490

Base Trim Engine

2.5L Inline-4 Hybrid

Base Trim Transmission

Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

192 hp

Base Trim Torque

155 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm

Fuel Economy

27/34 MPG

Make

Ford

Model

Escape Hybrid

Segment

Compact SUV

Infotainment & Features

9 /10

This is an American SUV with a Japanese heart. That is because the Escape hybrid borrows the 2.5-liter inline-four engine and a pair of electric motors from the Mazda CX-50. Having said that, the hybrid setup on the Escape puts out a lower combined output of 192 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. As a result, the efficiency rated at 39 MPG is impressive, and it even manages to provide better reliability compared to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

The Ford Escape hybrid range starts with the ST-Line trim, which comes with standard features like an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, partial vinyl and cloth seat upholstery, red contrast stitching, and 18-inch Rock Metallic alloy wheels. Upgrading to top-spec Premium trim gets you a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, ActiveX mini-perforated seat upholstery, an electrically adjustable passenger seat, and a wireless smartphone charger.

2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid

Starting Price: $30,290

Base Trim Engine

1.6L I4 Hybrid

Base Trim Transmission

6-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

177 HP @5500 RPM

Base Trim Torque

195 lb.-ft. @ 1500 RPM

Base Trim Battery Type

Lithium ion (Li-ion)

Make

Kia

Model

Sportage Hybrid

Segment

Compact SUV

The 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid is a great value-for-money alternative to the Subaru Forester and other hybrid SUVs on this list. It features a bold exterior design that stands out against the relatively simple styling of its Japanese rivals. Kia has equipped the Sportage with the same powertrain hardware as the other Korean hybrid SUVs you read about on this list. As a result, the Kia Sportage Hybrid is one of the most affordable SUVs with over 200 horsepower available on tap, while managing to deliver an EPA-rated 43 MPG of combined efficiency.

Just like its exteriors, the interiors of the Kia Sportage look modern with features like a 12.3-inch infotainment screen taking center stage on the dashboard. Kia offers a wide range of trims with the Sportage, serving both value-conscious and premium car customers.

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

Starting Price: $28,995

Base Trim Engine

2L Dynamic Force I4 Hybrid

Base Trim Transmission

10-speed automatic/CVT

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

150 HP @6000 RPM

Base Trim Torque

139 lb.-ft. @ 4400 RPM

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

45/38/42 MPG

Make

Toyota

Model

Corolla Cross Hybrid

Segment

Subcompact SUV

This is a good option for someone looking for an efficient hybrid crossover/SUV under $30,000. Based on the same platform as the Corolla sedan, the Corolla Cross Hybrid adds more versatility to the package. Powering the car is a 2.0-liter inline-four hybrid engine that delivers an output of 150 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. As the output figures might suggest, this crossover is aimed at delivering high efficiency, which stands at an EPA-rated 42 MPG, combined.

The crossover has a smaller footprint compared to the RAV4, making it easier to maneuver in the city. Given its affordable price tag, the Corolla Cross Hybrid isn’t the most feature-loaded crossover. Having said that, the infotainment system comes with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and there is a comprehensive suite of safety features on offer as well.