The all-new sixth-generation Subaru Forester Hybrid has achieved an independently verified fuel efficiency result of 5.5L/100km that outperforms its official lab-tested figure of 6.2L/100km in the Australian Government’s Real-World Testing Program.
For comparison, the previous fifth-generation Subaru Forester Hybrid gulped a heavy 7.4L/100km, about 10.4% more than its lab-claimed 6.7L/100km in AAA testing.
Conducted by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA), the program evaluates vehicles under everyday Australian driving conditions and gives motorists an additional point of reference alongside the standard laboratory fuel consumption figures used across the automotive industry.
Real-world fuel consumption results
Testing on public roads around Geelong, Victoria, the all-new Subaru Forester Hybrid produced the following fuel consumption figures:
| Driving conditions | Fuel consumption |
|---|---|
| Urban driving | 4.9L/100km |
| Combined (urban, rural and motorway) | 5.5L/100km |
| Official lab claim | 6.2L/100km |
According to the test results, the combined real-world figure is about 12% lower than the mid-size SUV’s official laboratory-tested fuel consumption rating. It also emitted 9% fewer CO2 emissions (127g/km) than its lab-tested numbers (140g/km).
The 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid is known for its rugged practicality, family-friendly cabin, and genuine light off-road capability, and its latest sixth-generation model officially launched in Australia in mid-2025.
The new Forester Hybrid introduces significant changes that distinguish it from its predecessor, like fitting Subaru’s new-generation strong hybrid powertrain developed in partnership with Toyota.
The Forester Hybrid squares up against heavy hitters like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Nissan X-Trail e-Power, and Honda CR-V e:HEV in the fiercely contested segment.
The Subaru Forester AWD Hybrid is currently priced from $46,990 driveaway and also carries a five-star ANCAP safety rating.
How was the testing conducted?
The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) evaluated the Subaru Forester Hybrid over a 92-kilometre route in the Geelong region of Victoria on 29 and 30 April 2026, and the testing conditions included:
- Dry weather
- Wind speeds between 6 and 16km/h
- Temperatures ranging from 19°C to 24°C
- Standard 91 RON unleaded petrol
Subaru noted that the official fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions figures are measured under the Australian Government’s regulated Australian Design Rule (ADR) 81/02 testing standard and published on the Green Vehicle Guide.
What does Subaru have to say about the fuel testing?
Subaru Australia General Manager Scott Lawrence said, “We have always believed the real proving ground for any Subaru vehicle is out on the road, in the kind of driving our customers do every day.”
“For the all-new Forester Hybrid, it’s particularly pleasing to see it deliver such a strong independently verified real-world result, providing customers with an additional perspective on how it performs in everyday Australian driving conditions.”
He added, “It reinforces the efficiency of Subaru’s latest strong hybrid powertrain, which delivers that economy while retaining the confidence, capability and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive performance synonymous with Subaru.”
Bottom line
The all-new Subaru Forester Hybrid has delivered an independently verified fuel economy result, recording a combined fuel consumption figure of 5.5L/100km in the Australian Government’s real-world testing program.
This was around 12% better than its official laboratory-tested claim of 6.2L/100km. The result reinforces Subaru’s focus on delivering strong hybrid efficiency in the everyday Australian driving conditions customers actually experience.
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