by Michael Gauthier
- Subaru will introduce its first Wilderness Hybrid next week.
- It debuts in New York and is likely based on the Forester.
- Model should have a hybridized 2.5-liter engine with 194 hp.
The New York Auto Show is shaping up to be one of the biggest automotive events of the year as multiple debuts have already been announced, including a three-row electric crossover from Subaru. The brand has now revealed it will be joined by their first-ever Wilderness Hybrid.
The model debuts on April 1st and it’s not much of a surprise as Subaru only offers Crosstrek and Forester Hybrids in America. The latter seems more likely as it’s built in the United States and the Forester is the brand’s second best-selling vehicle.
More: Subaru Teases New Three-Row EV For NY Auto Show
If that’s the case, we can expect an eco-friendly powertrain that consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a lithium-ion battery, and two electric motors that are integrated into a continuously variable transmission. This gives the Forester Hybrid a combined output of 194 hp (145 kW / 197 PS) and a fuel economy rating of 35 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined.
Besides being more powerful and efficient, the Forester Hybrid Wilderness should bring a decent amount of styling and off-road capability. As a refresher, the rugged variant has a unique front fascia, a revised grille, and skid plates. They’re joined by special fog lights, anodized copper accents, and a matte black hood decal to reduce glare.
We can also expect a well-equipped interior with gray StarTex seats featuring copper contrast stitching and embossed front headrests. Customers can also get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.6-inch infotainment system with GPS navigation.
More notably, the Wilderness has a lifted suspension that provides 9.3 inches (236 mm) of ground clearance. They’re joined by 17-inch matte black wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires.
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Subaru debuts its first Wilderness Hybrid, combining rugged off-road capability with fuel-efficient hybrid technology.
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This merger addresses growing demand for eco-friendly vehicles that don't sacrifice adventure-ready performance.
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The hybrid system boosts power to 194 hp while achieving 35 mpg, plus 9.3 inches of ground clearance.
