2026 Volvo XC60 vs 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid underwent a redesign that introduced a more conventional and cohesive look, albeit at the expense of some of its distinctiveness. Its blockier shape and rugged appearance, accentuated by black plastic elements, gave it a visual heft reminiscent of a compact Ford Explorer. The interior retained some of its previous charm with a beveled dashboard centre section, now dominated by a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The cabin featured a mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials, with the front seats offering ample cushioning and support, enhanced by ventilation and heated outboard rear seats.

In contrast, the 2026 Volvo XC60 B5 Ultra exuded elegance with its Forest Lake paint and 22-inch wheels, enhancing its nearly decade-old design. The interior was a testament to Scandinavian minimalism, featuring plush Nappa leather, premium wood trim, and classy metal speaker grilles. The clean design was complemented by robust metal door release handles and an Orrefors crystal shift knob. However, the minimalist approach to controls could be frustrating, though it became second nature over time. The XC60's interior was designed to provide a calm and pampered driving experience.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre flat four-cylinder engine paired with a parallel hybrid system, producing a combined 194 horsepower. Its all-wheel-drive system, combined with the hybrid components, promised better traction and consistent reactions off-road. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission made it feel slower than it was, with the engine emitting a monotone groan at higher speeds. The hybrid system functioned smoothly, with seamless transitions between electricity and the engine. The Forester Hybrid excelled off-road, thanks to its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control, offering a balance between on-road comfort and off-road capability.

The 2026 Volvo XC60 B5 featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, generating 247 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Its 48-volt mild-hybrid system and eight-speed automatic transmission provided a 6.9-second sprint to 100 km/h. However, turbo lag and transmission reluctance caused uneven power delivery. The XC60's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, with real-world consumption higher than advertised. The 22-inch wheels impacted ride quality, though the air suspension in Comfort mode filtered most unpleasantness. The XC60 handled mountain roads with grace, but its light steering and brake fade limited its appeal to driving enthusiasts. The XC60 was equipped with Standard and Off-Road modes, though its ground clearance and wheel size discouraged off-road adventures.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid offered an unimpeded forward view from the driver's seat, thanks to thinner front roof pillars. The cockpit had an open, airy feel, with ample space for front passengers. The rear seats provided generous legroom and headroom, enhanced by a standard panoramic sunroof. Storage options included a wireless charging pad, cup holders, and door pockets, though rear passengers lacked separate temperature controls. The Forester Hybrid's cargo space was 779 litres, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for convenience.

The 2026 Volvo XC60 excelled in long-distance travel comfort, with top-shelf front seats featuring heating, cooling, massage, and extending leg supports. Rear seats were less comfortable, with firm cushions and low positioning. The XC60 offered a four-zone automatic climate control system and a panoramic sunroof. In-cabin storage was acceptable, with tamboured covers for cupholders and large door bins. The XC60's cargo space was 613 litres, with a 40:20:40-split folding back seat for versatility.

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 and external camera views enhanced off-road capabilities. The Forester Hybrid also included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The 2026 Volvo XC60 introduced a larger 11.2-inch touchscreen display with Volvo Car UX software and a four-year subscription to Digital Services. Google built-in features, including Google Maps and Google Assistant, were integrated. The infotainment system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though Apple CarPlay required a wired connection. The optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system offered 15 speakers and 1,410 watts of power, providing lush sound quality.

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 "Good" ratings in most categories. The Forester Hybrid came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite of advanced safety features, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The top-trim Forester Hybrid added rear automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor.

The 2026 Volvo XC60 did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to an "Acceptable" rating in the side-impact crash test. Despite this, the XC60 was equipped with advanced safety features, including forward collision warning, oncoming collision mitigation, and intersection braking assist. However, the real-world performance of the driver assistance tech was lacking, with issues in lane centring and braking. The XC60 earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.