Tasmania is home to some of Australia’s best driving roads - and not just the forest stages I’m used to tackling against other rally drivers and the clock. With incredibly picturesque scenery and often very few other road trippers to share them with, Tassie is one of my favourite places to head when I have something interesting to drive. Today, it’s the all-new Subaru Forester AWD Hybrid.

There’s a particularly good route starting in Launceston which culminates at the summit of Ben Lomond. It’s only 60km but fits a lot in - a bit like the new Forester’s 500-litre-plus boot. The first part of the drive is relaxing as it rolls out of town and though the valley. With a more supple suspension tune, I enjoyed the ride for every one of the 1000kms*2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid's range of over 1000km is based on combined average city and highway cycle test under Australian Design Rule (ADR) 81/02. Range figure is based on laboratory test results only using standardised testing conditions which measure fuel consumption, energy consumption, and carbon emission (as applicable). Real world results may vary based on individual driving circumstances e.g., traffic conditions, driving style, vehicle modifications, fuel quality, climatic conditions, etc. Quoted figures may not reflect real world fuel consumption, energy consumption, and carbon emission. that the new hybrid powertrain offers on a single tank, and there’s peace of mind with Subaru’s latest EyeSight^® safety suite too.

But it’s the twisty bits after Upper Blessington that are best. With 220mm of ground clearance*Ground clearance at kerb weight and an updated X-Mode system, the Forester can handle a lot more than the mixture of sealed surface and gravel, but its sharper steering and reduced body roll are standouts when enjoying a winding mountain route. Just before the plateau of Ben Lomond there’s one last treat - Jacob’s Ladder which is like a section of the Stelvio Pass lifted straight from the Italian Alps. It offers a series of six hairpins and steep climbing to test the Forester’s chassis improvements and the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive grip. It’s effortless fun with heaps of torque from the combined 2.5-litre Boxer engine and electric motor. Perhaps unsurprisingly, SI Drive mode is my favourite with the sharpest throttle response and a more eager transmission calibration. Before I know it, the Alpine Resort looms and it’s time to pull up and enjoy an English Breakfast in the cool air and stunning views. And after that, maybe I’ll go and do it all again…

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