2025 Toyota Sienna vs 2025 Subaru Forester

The 2025 Subaru Forester underwent a noticeable visual transformation, focusing on a more streamlined and generic appearance. The compact SUV, traditionally known for its practicality over aesthetics, received styling updates that smoothed out its looks, albeit at the cost of some distinctive Subaru DNA. The Forester Sport model, which was tested, featured bronze trim accents and 19-inch wheels, adding a mature touch to its design. The interior saw improvements with the introduction of StarTex material in the Sport trim, offering easy cleaning and a cohesive look with the exterior accents. The cabin's new structural dash elements contributed to a more intentional and designed feel.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna maintained its minivan identity, despite efforts to enhance its style. The trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines gave it a distinctive look, but it still resembled a traditional minivan. The Sienna's design included hidden sliding door tracks and narrow taillights, drawing a family resemblance to the Camry sedan. The Platinum package introduced new flower-petal wheel designs, adding a touch of elegance. Inside, the Sienna's interior updates included a woodgrain finish, although opinions on its appeal varied. The spacious cabin offered seating for up to eight, with features like reclining captain's chairs and a refrigerated compartment enhancing passenger comfort.

The 2025 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-litre Boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain, paired with a Lineartonic CVT and Symmetrical AWD, provided a stable and confident driving experience. The Forester's X-Mode system, standard in Canada, enhanced stability and traction on challenging terrain. While acceleration was not particularly brisk, the Forester excelled in off-road conditions, offering a smooth and fluid steering feel. Fuel economy ratings were 9.1 L/100 km in the city, 7.2 on the highway, and 8.2 combined, with a hybrid version expected in the future.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, equipped with a hybrid powertrain, combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a CVT, delivering 245 net horsepower. The Sienna's hybrid system prioritized fuel efficiency, achieving a rating of 6.6 L/100 km in combined driving for the FWD model. Despite its modest horsepower, the Sienna felt responsive, thanks to the immediate torque from the electric assist motor. The minivan offered a smooth and absorbent ride, with predictable handling and minimal body roll. However, the CVT's noise during hard acceleration was noticeable, and the brakes experienced temporary fade during demanding driving conditions.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced a hands-free power liftgate, enhancing convenience for loading and unloading. The cargo space increased slightly, with 779 litres available with the rear seats in place and 1,957 litres with them folded down. The Forester's roomy second row contributed to its competitive cargo capacity, although it fell short compared to some rivals. The interior featured a dark headliner to resist marks, and heated front seats were standard in Canada. Higher trims offered additional power adjustability and seat ventilation, enhancing comfort for occupants.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna excelled in form and function, offering versatile seating and cargo solutions. The Limited with Platinum package featured power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, although long drives revealed some discomfort. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with passengers, and the third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna's cargo capacity measured 949 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,129 litres with the seats stowed. However, the maximum cargo capacity of 2,860 litres was less than rivals due to the non-removable second-row seats.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced an 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment system, standard on all but the base trim. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with navigation available on higher trims. The Limited and Premier trims featured an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, enhancing the audio experience. Subaru's Starlink connected services suite offered additional capabilities, including Valet Mode and Remote Vehicle Configuration.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia system. The Limited with Platinum package included a four-zone climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display, and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered connected services with varying subscription periods, and the digital assistant provided responsive voice commands. The Sienna's infotainment system paired with a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system, although the sound quality required adjustments for optimal performance.

The 2025 Subaru Forester featured Starlink Connected Services, including Emergency Stop Assist for higher trims. The EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assistance technology came standard, with enhancements for 2025, such as a wider field of view and an electric brake booster. While crash-test ratings for the 2025 model were unavailable, the 2024 Forester received high safety ratings, indicating Subaru's commitment to safety.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna retained TSS 2.0, offering a collection of advanced driving assistance systems. While lacking the latest TSS 3.0, the Sienna's safety features included forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The new rear-seat reminder technology added an extra layer of safety for families. The Sienna received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although its frontal crash-test result was lower than expected.