2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Subaru Forester

The 2025 Subaru Forester underwent a noticeable visual transformation, focusing on a more generic design that smoothed out its previous rugged appearance. The styling changes were evident, with steering-responsive LED headlights and a grille that created an "integrated shield effect." The Forester Sport trim featured bronze accents, adding a mature touch, while the wheel sizes varied across trims. The side profile maintained the classic Forester shape but introduced geometric wheel arches and a more decisive window shape. Inside, the Forester offered a mix of materials, with the Sport trim using StarTex upholstery and higher trims featuring genuine leather. The cabin design was intentional, with structural dash elements enhancing its appeal.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, available in three trims, retained its chunky, boxy design from its 2024 debut. The SUV featured a long wheelbase, flat hood, and pixelated H-shaped LED headlamps, aligning with Hyundai's design aesthetic. The rear design, however, suffered from mismatched proportions, with taillights positioned lower than ideal. Each trim had distinct wheel sizes, and the XRT trim added off-road-focused elements. Inside, the Santa Fe offered seating for seven, with the top trim featuring captain's chairs. The interior boasted good fit and finish, though some squeaks were noted. The HVAC controls were a mix of physical dials and touch buttons, with the latter being less intuitive.

The 2025 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-litre Boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a Lineartonic CVT and Subaru's Symmetrical AWD system. The Forester's engine was quieter than expected, with minimal noise at low speeds. The X-Mode system, standard in Canada, enhanced stability and traction on challenging terrain. The Forester Sport's performance was stable on various surfaces, though acceleration was modest. Fuel economy was rated at 9.1 L/100 km in the city, 7.2 on the highway, and 8.2 combined.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. AWD was standard, and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission handled shifting. The Santa Fe Hybrid offered 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. The Santa Fe felt stable in corners, though turbo lag and delayed downshifts were noted. The gear selector was unconventional, requiring some adjustment. The XRT trim featured 30-inch all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance, improving off-road capability. However, the Santa Fe was not suited for rugged terrain, performing best on graded dirt roads.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced a hands-free power liftgate, increasing cargo space slightly to 779 litres with rear seats up and 1,957 litres with them down. The cargo area featured eight heavy-duty hooks. The Forester's cargo space was competitive, though slightly less than some rivals. The interior included a dark headliner, heated front seats, and power-adjustable seating options on higher trims.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered ample space, with the most third-row legroom in its class. The second and third rows could be folded for increased cargo space, reaching 2,267 litres. With all seats occupied, 413 litres of space remained. The liftgate width increased to 127.5 cm, facilitating easier loading. The Santa Fe's towing capacity varied by trim, with the XRT capable of towing 2,040 kg.

The 2025 Subaru Forester featured an 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment system, standard on all but the base trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base model had two 7-inch touchscreens. Higher trims included navigation, a Harman Kardon sound system, and additional USB ports. Starlink connected services offered new capabilities for 2025.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe included a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital gauge cluster, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. Navigation was available on higher trims. Charging options included multiple USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad. The Santa Fe offered a digital key feature and Bluelink app connectivity, providing various remote functions and over-the-air updates.

The 2025 Subaru Forester offered Emergency Stop Assist on higher trims, alongside adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and lane change assist. Subaru's EyeSight suite included enhancements for 2025, such as a wider field of view and an electric brake booster. The 2024 model received high safety ratings, and expectations were similar for 2025.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe provided a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision avoidance. Highway Drive Assist was available on higher trims, though performance varied. The top trim included a blind spot avoidance feature and Blind View Monitor. The Santa Fe received a four-star safety rating from NHTSA and "Good" ratings from IIHS, with some exceptions.