Subaru Forester to become electric car soon, following hybrid SUV move to take on Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail - report

Only a couple of months after the heavily updated Subaru Forester was revealed in the US, it seems insiders are reporting an electric version of the mid-size SUV will follow the already-confirmed hybrid variant coming.

According to a relatively short report from Best Car, a reputable (and usually well-informed) Japanese magazine, Subaru is developing a new electric SUV a size up from the still-coming-to-Australia Solterra, the brand’s co-developed electric car sibling to the Toyota bZ4X.

The SUV could effectively be an electric successor to the Forester SUV, the most popular model for the brand in Australia, though the timing reported by the Japanese magazine is somewhat surprising.

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Given Subaru confirmed a hybrid version of the Forester would follow a year after the standard drivetrain upon its reveal in the US, it would be unusual for Subaru to launch a fully electric version in the same year.

While Subaru currently offers an electrified mild-hybrid version of the hybrid, references to the upcoming version call it “the first-ever Subaru Forester Hybrid”.

"While the all-new Forester will begin sales with [internal-combustion] engines, a next-generation hybrid Forester will follow in another year," said Subaru CEO Atsushi Osaki at the vehicle launch, Car and Driver reports. 

"This will be the first-ever Subaru Forester Hybrid, it represents the next step in our new electrification plan, with more electrified models to follow quickly."

Insiders are reporting an electric version of the mid-size SUV will follow the already-confirmed hybrid variant coming.

If Best Car’s sources are correct, Subaru is developing an electric Forester-sized SUV, independently of Toyota this time, for reveal by 2025.

Additionally, there are claims the new BEV will aim to focus on maximising interior space, off-road performance, and target a driving range of more than 700km on a single charge.

A render (see above) published by Best Car shows the expectation that the electric version of the Forester will be built for the current generation, with body panels shared with the current updated Forester (pictured lower).

The updated Forester is yet to be confirmed for Australia in terms of timing, features and pricing.