2024 Toyota Grand Highlander vs 2025 Subaru Forester

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was part of Toyota's extensive lineup of crossovers and SUVs, positioned between the Highlander and the Sequoia. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with models like the RAV4 and Camry, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. With a length of 5,115 millimetres and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm, it offered a spacious interior, surpassing competitors like the Kia Telluride. Its design, inspired by rugged vehicles, featured a blockier style with a trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights, reminiscent of the 4Runner. The Grand Highlander was available in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with interior options ranging from black Softex synthetic leather to real leather in higher trims.

The 2025 Subaru Forester, known for its practicality, received a visual update, smoothing out its design for a more generic look. It featured steering-responsive LED headlights and bronze accents on the Sport trim. The Forester maintained its large-greenhouse shape with geometric wheel arches and a more decisive window design. Interior options included cloth upholstery with blue stitching on the base model and StarTex material on the Sport trim. The cabin had a more intentional design, with structural dash elements and genuine leather seating on higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options. The base 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder produced 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A 2.5-litre hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain generated 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. All models featured AWD, with the Hybrid Max achieving a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander had three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional off-road modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models. While its size made it less maneuverable, it offered solid brakes and adequate acceleration.

The 2025 Subaru Forester retained its 2.5-litre Boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. It featured a Lineartonic CVT and standard AWD. Subaru improved noise levels, making the engine quieter at lower speeds. The Forester included Subaru’s X-Mode system with Hill Descent Control for enhanced stability on challenging terrain. The Sport trim offered a dual-function X-Mode. While acceleration was modest, the Forester excelled in steering feel and off-road stability. Fuel economy was rated at 9.1 L/100 km in the city and 7.2 on the highway.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander boasted a length of over 5 metres and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm, making it larger than rivals like the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot. It offered a total cargo capacity of 2,761 litres, with 1,640 litres behind the second row and 583 litres with all seats up. The spacious interior provided ample headroom and legroom, even in the third row, making it a comfortable choice for families.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced a hands-free power liftgate on the Touring trim, with cargo space measuring 779 litres with rear seats up and 1,957 litres with them folded. The cargo area featured eight heavy-duty hooks. While it offered less cargo space than some competitors, it provided a roomy second row. The interior included a dark headliner, heated front seats, and power-adjustable seating on higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering features like dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An intelligent assistant and cloud-based navigation were available via subscription. The Limited and Platinum trims included an 11-speaker JBL stereo, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced an 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment system on all but the base trim, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base model had two 7-inch touchscreens. Higher trims included a navigation system with TomTom and SiriusXM Travel Link, and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Subaru’s Starlink connected services offered additional capabilities for 2025.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings. Traffic jam assist and a head-up display were exclusive to the Platinum grade. It had not yet been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2025 Subaru Forester included Subaru’s EyeSight suite with enhancements like a wider field of view and an electric brake booster. Emergency Stop Assist was available on higher trims. While not yet crash-tested for 2025, the 2024 model received high safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA.