2026 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid underwent a redesign that introduced a more cohesive yet conventional look, losing some of its previous distinctiveness. Its blockier shape and reduced body sculpting gave it a visual heft reminiscent of a smaller Ford Explorer. Despite this, the Forester maintained a rugged appearance with black plastic elements hinting at its off-road capabilities. Inside, the Forester Hybrid featured a modernized cabin with a large vertical infotainment touchscreen and a digital instrument panel exclusive to the Hybrid model. While hard plastics were present, soft-touch materials covered frequently touched areas, and the front seats offered ample comfort and support. The hybrid model also included heated outboard rear seats, enhancing passenger comfort.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse resembled a mini Chevrolet Tahoe with its upright design and macho stance. Its nose mirrored the Tahoe's with eye-slit LED headlights and a distinctive grille design. The Traverse's semi-floating roof and rounded wheel wells added to its aesthetic appeal. The grille varied by model, with the Z71 trim featuring red front tow hooks and all-terrain tires. Inside, a 17.7-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch digital instrument cluster dominated the dash. The interior materials were smartly chosen, with soft-touch surfaces and contrasting stitching. The base LT trim offered a range of features, including cloth upholstery, heated front seats, and a hands-free power liftgate, while the RS trim added leather upholstery and heated second-row seats.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre flat four-cylinder "boxer" engine, paired with a parallel hybrid system that included two motor/generators and a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This setup produced 194 horsepower, surpassing the standard Forester's 180 hp. The hybrid system featured standard all-wheel drive, combining hybrid components with a traditional driveshaft for better traction. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission sometimes made it feel slower than it was. The ride quality was firm, with larger 19-inch wheels contributing to some passenger jostling. Off-road, the Forester Hybrid excelled with its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control, offering a balanced performance for both urban and adventurous drivers.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse boasted a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, the Traverse offered a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. While the turbo-four provided adequate power, the 0 to 100 km/h time was around eight seconds. Engine noise was a concern, despite standard active noise cancellation. The Traverse required manual engagement of AWD, and its drive modes included Normal, Sport, Off-Road, Snow/Ice, and Tow/Haul. While Sport mode slightly improved throttle response, the Traverse was not particularly sporty. Off-Road mode enhanced traction on loose surfaces, while Snow/Ice mode improved grip on slippery roads.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid offered an unobstructed forward view from the driver's seat, thanks to thinner front roof pillars. The front seats provided ample space and comfort, while the rear seats accommodated average-sized adults with generous legroom and headroom. A standard panoramic sunroof enhanced the sense of openness. Storage options included a wireless charging pad, cup holders, and door pockets. The Forester Hybrid offered 779 litres of cargo space, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for added convenience.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse, though shorter than a Tahoe, provided ample passenger space. The RS trim featured second-row captain’s chairs for seven-passenger seating, while the LT and Z71 trims offered a second-row bench for eight passengers. First-row occupants enjoyed comfortable seats with good motion range, and storage was excellent with a centre console, wireless charging pad, and deep covered bin. Second-row passengers had good space, but the third row was less accommodating for adults. Cargo space was generous, with 648 litres behind the third row, 1,603 litres behind the second row, and 2,764 litres behind the first row, though less than a Tahoe or minivan.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid featured an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen with built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Starlink infotainment system was praised for its large on-screen buttons and intuitive menus. The X-Mode off-road drive menu was accessible via the touchscreen, and external camera views aided off-roading. The Forester Hybrid also included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse came standard with an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The touchscreen was user-friendly, with Google Maps for navigation and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music. The system was responsive and intuitive, with some climate controls separate and others integrated into the screen. Standard features included a satellite radio trial, Wi-Fi hotspot wiring, OnStar Basics, a wireless phone charger, and remote start. The base audio system had six speakers, with an optional 12-speaker Bose system available.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests, except for rollover protection, where it received four stars. The IIHS awarded the non-hybrid model a Top Safety Pick, with top scores in most categories. The Forester Hybrid came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Additional features on the top-trim included rear automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse offered a comprehensive set of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Enhanced Driving package added Super Cruise hands-free technology, automatic parking, and a driver attention monitor. The Traverse earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with top scores in several crash tests and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.