It's official! Subaru is now building hybrid vehicles in the U.S. It kicked off production of the 2026 Forester Hybrid at Subaru of Indiana Automotive last week. It's the brand's first hybrid vehicle to be produced by the automaker here in the U.S. The first model to roll off the assembly line a Premium trim in Autumn Green Metallic. The milestone moment was a day half a decade in the making.
"Bringing hybrid vehicle assembly to our facility has been in the works for five years,” said Scott Brand, president and chief operating officer of SIA. "Seeing the start of mass production is highly rewarding and the culmination of a lot of hard work by our associates."
With hybrid Forster production now underway at the plant, all Subaru Forester models sold in the U.S. are now assembled at the automaker’s facility in Lafayette, Ind. SIA began production of the 2026 Forester gas model back in October 2025.
"Since joining the Subaru lineup in 1997, the Forester has been a popular vehicle," said Brand. "With its addition to our product mix, along with the Crosstrek, we’re now producing the two most popular Subaru models in the U.S.”
2026 Subaru Forester is available in six trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Touring, and Wilderness trim levels, and is available at Subaru retailers nationwide. The Subaru Forester Hybrid is available in Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring trim levels, and is available at Subaru retailers.
Every 2026 Forester is equipped with the latest generation of Subaru EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology. Additionally, Subaru says the 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid in all trim levels is an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award winner in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s latest round of vehicle ratings. It's the Forester’s 10th IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award.
Subaru of Indiana is the brand's only manufacturing facility outside of Japan and also currently assembles the Ascent and Crosstrek. The automaker says since the facility has assembled more than 6 million Subaru's since the plant began production in 1989.
