2026 Subaru Forester hybrid: controversial spare wheel solution revealed for new-gen midsize SUV

Subaru Australia has printed its towbar-mounted resolution for the scarcity of a spare wheel on its original-expertise Forester hybrid mannequin following backlash from fans of the nameplate.

Whereas the petrol mannequin continues to buck trade norms by becoming a elephantine-dimension spare wheel, the original-expertise hybrid mannequin does no longer provide this wanted touring characteristic, even in downsized spare-saver create.

As with many EVs and hybrid items, the packaging obstacles of in conjunction with the electrical ingredients rob the Forester of dwelling that would otherwise be venerable for the spare fifth wheel.

It comes as a suite of recent hybrid competitors, such because the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4 proceed to present a spare wheel, even on AWD variants – albeit on the full in the extra restricted dwelling saver create.

Subaru Australia engineers had been neatly attentive to the concerns from investors when Chasing Cars had our first hands-on explore with the Forester hybrid earlier this twelve months, insisting that a resolution would be ready to launch alongside the original mannequin.

A tow-bar mounted spare wheel carrier is furthermore supplied on the emblem’s Solterra electrical midsize SUV, after concerns had been raised by investors as to the sensible off-avenue capacity, with occupants potentially in danger of being stranded in some distance away areas if the tyre repair equipment failed or the tyre or rim was seriously damaged.

Subaru has priced the accent at $3099 for the 18-hasten wheel grade and $3199 for the bigger 19-hasten grades. The pricing involves the mark of everything, in conjunction with the wheel, tyre, accent and installation.

Drawbacks for cycling, camping lovers

As many had been quick to indicate, mounting a spare on the tow bar will limit Subaru-proudly owning cyclists who would in point of fact like to utilize a motorbike rack, or touring and outside lovers who tow a small camper trailer on their weekend adventures.

However, it desires to be said all possible alternate recommendations would arrangement with some drawbacks.

Mounting a spare in the boot and raising the ground high as a consequence would rob the Forester of substantial cargo room; equally, putting it on the roof rack would decide up it refined for many folks to bodily lift the reserve wheel on and off.

A historical past of punctures

The absence of spare tyres is a consistent criticism highlighted in Chasing Cars opinions, and for vivid goal.

The obstacles of the scarcity of a spare tyre had been highlighted previously in a Chasing Cars comparability between the Toyota RAV4 and rapidly-to-be-outdated present expertise Forester hybrid abet in 2020, with the latter the ultimate one to fail to trace a spare tyre.

Right via the test, the Forester hybrid experienced a puncture that wanted to be repaired with tyre sealant, a compromised resolution that promptly ended the test..

Equally, for the length of a Chasing Cars future test of the Nissan X-Breeze e-Vitality, which furthermore boasts an AWD arrangement capable of gentle off-roading, a puncture was obtained in the sidewall of the tyre, meaning it couldn’t be repaired on the time and wanted to be towed.