2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2023 Subaru Forester, despite its familiar and somewhat unremarkable exterior, offered a practical and functional design. Its Premier trim, with 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim, was the most visually appealing in the lineup. The Forester's interior, featuring brown leather and metallic accents, maintained a traditional Subaru design with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. While the cabin was easy to clean due to its hard plastic surfaces, the mix of grey and silver cladding on the exterior and the reliance on traditional buttons and knobs inside gave it a busy appearance. Nevertheless, the Forester's straightforward design and robust roof rails made it a practical choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's design was more polarizing. Its exaggerated forms and over-styled exterior, including scowling headlights and flared fenders, aimed to break away from Toyota's historically conservative designs. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid continued this theme with oversized elements like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and large climate control knobs. However, the mismatched textures and tones, along with reflections from the display, made the interior visually overwhelming. Despite its quiet ride, the Highlander Hybrid's interior quality felt lacking, with inexpensive-feeling controls and storage areas that were unlined, leading to potential noise issues.

The 2023 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that mimicked a traditional automatic. The Forester's SI-Drive system offered a Sport mode for enhanced responsiveness, while its X-Mode off-road traction control system included hill descent control and additional settings for challenging conditions. The Forester Premier, despite its tamer nature, handled adverse weather conditions with ease, showcasing its capability in flooded roadways and muddy trails. Its driving dynamics were commendable, with light and accurate steering, effective brakes, and excellent suspension tuning. However, the Forester's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 9.1 litres per 100 kilometres, prompting a desire for a turbocharged or hybrid option.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, delivering 243 combined horsepower. While the electric assist motors aided acceleration, the gas engine's 175 lb-ft of torque limited high-speed passing power. The Highlander Hybrid's towing capacity of 1,588 kilograms seemed optimistic given its power limitations. The SUV offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, but its soft suspension and CVT groaning made for a less engaging driving experience. The Highlander Hybrid's Predictive Efficient Drive system aimed to optimize fuel economy, but it returned 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres, falling short of its 6.7 L/100 km rating. Overall, the Highlander Hybrid was more suited for city and suburban driving, prioritizing comfort and quietness over excitement.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, offering a practical and user-friendly interior. The Touring trim provided features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. Higher trims offered options like StarTex artificial leather or genuine leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and heated rear seats. The Forester's excellent outward visibility, thanks to tall glass and thin windshield pillars, made it easy to drive and park. However, the panoramic sunroof's lack of tinting could lead to excessive solar heating. The Forester's cargo space was generous, with 762 litres behind the rear seats and 1,957 litres with the seats folded, making it a versatile choice for carrying gear.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, designed for family life, offered seating for seven or eight, depending on the configuration. Most models featured second-row captain's chairs, while the third-row seat was best for occasional use. The Highlander Hybrid's interior included three-zone climate control, heated front seats, and available heated and ventilated seats. However, the third-row access was tight, and the seats were less comfortable for adults. The Highlander's storage areas were unlined, leading to potential noise issues, and the centre armrest storage console design was unnecessarily complex. Cargo space measured 453 litres behind the third row and expanded to 2,387 litres with the second-row seats folded, providing ample room for family needs.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology, while appearing outdated, offered practical features. The Base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available in higher trims. The Forester's user interface, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use knobs, was straightforward. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation and assistance.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment systems. The Limited trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Drive Connect service plan offered an Intelligent Assistant voice recognition system and cloud-based navigation. The Highlander Hybrid's technology was generally user-friendly, though the graphics could be improved for better visibility. The JBL sound system provided decent audio quality, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight collection of collision avoidance and driver assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control and Automatic Emergency Steering. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on most trims, while the Limited and Premier trims offered a DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System. The Forester received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with some areas for improvement in side-impact and frontal-impact tests. The NHTSA awarded the Forester five-star crash-test ratings.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with additional features like parking sensors and a surround-view camera on higher trims. The Highlander Hybrid's ADAS performed well, with occasional challenges in certain road conditions. Safety Connect provided emergency assistance and collision notification. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.