2024 Subaru Ascent vs 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2024 Subaru Ascent had a polarizing design that left some enthusiasts scratching their heads. Subaru's designers had previously crafted appealing vehicles, but the Ascent's recent refresh introduced some controversial elements. The SUV sported visually offensive tusks and a bold spear running across the grille into the headlights, which detracted from its overall appeal. Despite these design choices, the Ascent remained unchanged in Canada, offering a range of trims from Convenience to Premier, with prices spanning from $44,674 to $57,674. The Premier trim, which was tested, boasted premium features like Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and a surround-view camera, making it a fully loaded option.

Inside, the Ascent's interior materials in the Premier trim were of good quality, though the design felt modular and somewhat dated. The layout was functional and practical, aligning with Subaru's reputation for utility over style. The panoramic sunroof, standard from the Touring trim in Canada, added a touch of luxury, while the Premier trim's exclusive features enhanced comfort and convenience. However, the overall aesthetic lacked sophistication and modernity, leaving some to desire a more contemporary design approach.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid, on the other hand, debuted with a more cohesive design for its sixth-generation model. While it lost some of its distinctiveness, the Forester adopted a more conventional look with less body sculpting and a blockier shape, reminiscent of a fun-sized Ford Explorer. This new design gave the Forester a rugged appearance, enhanced by black plastic elements hinting at its off-road potential. The hybrid version subtly differentiated itself with badges on the front doors and liftgate.

Inside, the Forester Hybrid retained some of its previous charm with a beveled dashboard centre section, now dominated by a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The flatter dashboard and embossed hexagonal pattern added modernity, complemented by a digital instrument panel exclusive to the Hybrid model. While the cabin featured hard plastics, areas frequently touched were covered with soft-touch materials. The rear seating area prioritized durability, while the front seats offered ample cushioning and support. The hybrid's ventilation system further enhanced comfort, and heated outboard rear seats were a welcome addition. Despite losing some personality, the Forester Hybrid aimed for broader appeal.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 pound-feet of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and an all-wheel-drive system with active torque vectoring. The Ascent could tow up to 2,270 kilograms, making it a versatile choice for various driving conditions. It excelled in urban environments, rural roads, and off-road trails, offering a rally car-like experience on winding gravel roads. However, its performance faltered on twisty mountain roads due to its weight and suspension tuning. Fuel economy was another downside, with ratings of 12.3 L/100 km in the city and 9.4 on the highway, though real-world tests showed higher consumption.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre horizontally opposed flat four-cylinder engine, combined with a parallel hybrid system producing 194 horsepower. The hybrid powertrain, similar to Toyota's, included two motor/generators and a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The Forester Hybrid's all-wheel-drive system used a traditional driveshaft, enhancing traction and off-road performance. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission sometimes felt sluggish, emitting a monotone groan at higher speeds. The hybrid system seamlessly transitioned between electric and engine power, and the brakes maintained consistency. The Forester Hybrid excelled off-road, thanks to Subaru's X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control, offering a balanced performance for both urban and adventurous driving.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent prioritized function over form, with features like a dashboard shelf, large cupholders, and backpack pegs enhancing practicality. The Premier trim offered comfortable front seats with premium Nappa leather, though the lack of a height adjuster for the front passenger seat was a minor drawback. The wide-opening rear doors facilitated easy loading of children and cargo, while the second-row captain's chairs provided comfort. However, legroom felt slightly snug compared to rivals. The third-row seats were suitable for short trips, with air conditioning vents and storage space. Cargo capacity ranged from 458 litres behind the third row to 2,140 litres with seats folded, offering ample space for various needs.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid impressed with its unimpeded forward view, thanks to thinner front roof pillars. The front seats provided ample space and an open, airy feel, while the rear seats offered generous legroom and headroom. The standard panoramic sunroof enhanced the sense of openness. Up front, a wireless charging pad was a welcome feature, though the hard plastic surface allowed phones to slide. Storage options included moderately sized cup holders, a deep centre armrest bin, and medium-sized door pockets. The Forester Hybrid's cargo space measured 779 litres, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for added convenience.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent featured the latest Starlink infotainment system with an 11.6-inch touchscreen display. It included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and text-messaging capability. Higher trims offered a navigation system and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system. While the features worked well, the display struggled in direct sunlight, and the native voice-recognition system was subpar. Physical buttons and knobs controlled essential functions, and Cabin Connect projected the driver's voice through the speakers. The Premier trim included a surround-view camera and a digital rearview camera for enhanced visibility.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen with built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Starlink system received praise for its user-friendly interface, with large on-screen buttons and intuitive menus. Physical buttons flanking the screen allowed for easy temperature adjustments, though secondary functions could be distracting. The X-Mode off-road drive menu was accessible with a swipe, and external camera views aided off-roading. The Forester Hybrid also featured an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was synonymous with safety, featuring a high-strength steel platform and the standard EyeSight suite of safety features. It received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in all assessments except rollover resistance, where it earned four stars. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ rating. The EyeSight package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist. However, the lane-centring assist technology was criticized for its unpredictability and resistance to driver inputs, leading to a less stable driving experience.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA in all evaluations except rollover protection, where it received four stars. The IIHS awarded the non-hybrid model a Top Safety Pick, with "Good" ratings in most categories. The Forester Hybrid came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-keep assist. The top-trim Forester Hybrid added rear automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver attention monitor, and a surround-view monitor. The safety systems functioned smoothly, with the option to disable audible alarms for lane-keep assist.