2026 Forester Petrol vs Hybrid | Which Actually Makes Sense?

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid actually the saviour Subaru claims it is? We took the Forester Petrol Sport and the new Forester Hybrid Sport to the limit to see if the $6,500 premium is actually worth the upgrade. We drove them back to back on the same roads and then pushed them through a grueling Forester off road test to find out if this hybrid model is the upgrade Subaru needed or just a pricey annoyance. In this deep-dive Subaru Forester review Australia, we are joined by Trent from the carsales team to put the 2026 Subaru Forester through its paces. While senior executives reckon this hybrid will save the company, our testing tells a different story. We investigate the 2.5L Atkinson cycle engine, the Toyota-sourced hybrid module, and why the renowned Subaru Symmetrical AWD system pales in comparison to the petrol setup when the going gets tough. The hybrid is more efficient and feels sharper in town, but the Forester Petrol Sport wins on value and capability where it matters. Our Forester hybrid vs petrol comparison covers: Subaru Forester price Australia and why the hybrid premium is hard to justify. Cabin and tech differences including the Subaru EyeSight safety suite. CVT behavior and city driving feel. Real world efficiency versus rivals like the RAV4 Hybrid and Tucson Hybrid. Gravel and off road traction and why the hybrid disappointed on the climb. The final verdict on which medium SUV Australia actually makes sense for your driveway. Would you spend the extra $6,500 for the hybrid or stick with the sweet petrol setup? Do you own a midsize SUV and have you ever taken it off road even lightly? Let us know in the comments what you drive and what held up or what failed. #SubaruForester #Forester2026 #HybridSUV #CarReviewAustralia #OffRoadTest #ForesterHybrid #Carsales Subscribe for the latest advice, reviews and comparison tests 👍 https://www.youtube.com/user/carsales... STAY UP TO DATE AND CONNECT WITH US https://www.carsales.com.au/   / carsales.com.au     / carsalescomau     / carsalescomau   carsales. Buy it. Sell it. Love it.® For over 25 years, carsales has been Australia’s go-to place for buying and selling vehicles - connecting people across the country with confidence and ease. So for expert reviews, comparison tests helpful advice and everything cars, Like and Subscribe to the official carsales YouTube channel today. https://www.youtube.com/user/carsales... #carsaleschannel #carsales