Long-term test! Subaru Forester Hybrid 2026 review Australia: New family SUV overtakes Toyota RAV4?

Andrew Chesterton puts the 2026 Subaru Forester AWD Touring Hybrid through an extended test to see how it stacks up as a family-friendly medium SUV. This long-term review covers exterior design, cabin layout and build quality, plus the Touring Hybrid’s tech highlights including the central touchscreen, driver assists and Subaru’s latest hybrid AWD system. The review dives into day-to-day practicality, with a close look at rear-seat space, boot usability, storage and child-seat access. Running costs, real-world fuel use and how the hybrid system behaves in urban traffic are also assessed, alongside ownership considerations relevant to Australian buyers. On the road, Chesterton examines ride comfort, handling, noise levels and how the Forester AWD Touring Hybrid performs on highways, around town and on loose surfaces. Value is discussed in the context of key rivals such as the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V e:HEV. #Subaru #Forester #Review -- Timecodes: 00:00 Intro 00:40 Under the bonnet 01:06 Efficiency 01:15 Like 1: It's boring 02:19 Like 2: You don't want for much 02:41 Like 3: It can fit a family 03:21 Dislike 1: Price 03:45 Dislike 2: Fuel use 04:15 Dislike 3: Hybrid sacrifices 04:38 Verdict -- Read Andrew's full review: https://bit.ly/459jVnG Check out our Subaru Forester hub: https://bit.ly/3NfCaSk Find more SUVs: https://bit.ly/4qCpO5D Visit our family guide: https://bit.ly/4aXAWF0 -- CarsGuide - Go beyond the test drive Visit our website for News, Reviews, Advice and more: https://www.carsguide.com.au Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/carsguide Like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/carsguide.australia Follow our TikTok profile: https://www.tiktok.com/@carsguide.com.au Follow our Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/carsguideaus Follow our X profile: https://www.x.com/CarsGuide Follow our Threads profile: https://www.threads.net/@carsguideaus Follow our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carsguide-com-au