Subaru Forester Hybrid smashes fuel claim in latest AAA testing

The 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid, with its Toyota-supplied technology, has delivered one of the strongest performances in the latest round of Australian Automobile Association (AAA) real-world fuel economy testing.

While Subaru has focused on the performance and all-wheel-drive capability of its new Forester Hybrid, it consumed just 5.5L/100km during AAA testing.

That comfortably beats its official claim of 6.2L/100km – by 12 per cent.

The previous Forester Hybrid managed 7.4L/100km against a 6.7L/100km claim under the same methodology, so this result is a significant improvement.

The new Forester’s result is quite the achievement considering 76 per cent of the 163 petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles tested by the government-backed AAA program since 2023 have used more fuel than their official figures suggest.

While Subaru sourced its new hybrid system from Toyota, it was configured around the brand’s boxer engine and full-time symmetrical all-wheel-drive system.

Subaru has promoted the new powertrain primarily for its improved drivability and performance, but the latest AAA figures suggest fuel economy could prove an equally compelling selling point, especially since it was one of only a handful of vehicles in the latest test group to outperform its official laboratory claim.

The Chery Tiggo 4 Ultimate Hybrid also impressed, using 5.3L/100km compared with its official claim of 5.4L/100km.

But not all petrol-electric hybrids fared as well: the MG ZS Hybrid+ used six per cent more fuel than advertised, while the Kia Carnival Hybrid recorded a four per cent increase over its official figure.

Among diesels, the 2.2-litre Mazda BT-50 4x2 produced the biggest discrepancy in the latest test group, consuming 7.4L/100km compared with its official 6.9L/100km figure. 

The GWM Tank 300 Diesel also exceeded its claim, while the Mitsubishi Triton Double Cab 4x2 was one of the few diesel vehicles to better its laboratory result.

Electric vehicles were again included in testing, with the Tesla Model Y Long Range producing the strongest result.

Based on a standard 93km driving loop in and around Geelong, the AAA estimated the Tesla could travel 559km on a full charge.

That’s just seven per cent short of its official 600km rating and the longest real-world range yet recorded by the AAA.

At the other end of the scale, the BYD Atto 3 Essential recorded a 20 per cent range shortfall, while the BYD Dolphin Premium missed its official figure by 19 per cent.

The Kia EV5 Earth AWD Long Range and Kia EV9 Air RWD both finished 11 per cent awry their official laboratory ratings.

The results for hybrids are particularly important because this is the most popular form of electrified powertrain sold in Australia.

AAA testing suggests buyers can expect to achieve decent fuel economy results, something very important in a time of high oil prices.

But while 24 per cent of ICE vehicles tested by the program have matched or beaten their official fuel economy claim, none of the 20 EVs in the database have managed that feat.

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