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New hybrid power option on Subaru’s Forester SUV offers little fuel saving.

David Berthon

Talking further on Subaru’s first foray into hybrid technology on its best selling model, the Forester AWD SUV. I drove the entry Forester Hybrid 2.0eL CVT automatic at $39,990 utilising a 2.0-litre 110kW boxer engine linked to a 12.3kW electric motor – power and torque is lower to that offered by the 2.5-litre pure petrol Forester – the hybrid power combination offering fairly average performance by comparison. Given the Hybrid L carries a price premium of $3,050 one would expect it to offer a good saving in fuel consumption. Subaru suggest the saving is 19 percent on the urban cycle – a claimed 7.5L/100 against 9.3L/100 for the 2.5-litre pure petrol model.

However, with relaxed urban driving over 140k’s the best I could average was 9.5L/100km.  One can barely feel any benefit from the small 12.3kW electric motor given that the Hybrid carries a weight penalty of 63 kilos over the petrol model – this despite the fact that Forester Hybrid doesn’t have a spare wheel, all you get is a puncture repair kit. One can’t question the equipment levels, fit and finish and quality of the Forester Hybrid but for my money I much prefer the 2.5-litre petrol model which has built such a strong reputation with buyers over a long period – to pay $3,050 more for a model that offers little if anything in economy gain seems rather futile.

I’m David Berthon

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David Berthon
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