Audi Q7 vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2025 Audi Q7 showcased a refined exterior with a new front fascia, featuring standard Matrix-design LED headlamps and stylish daytime running lights. The front spoiler and rear diffuser were subtly tweaked, while the grille sported vertical inlays within its octagon frame, contributing to a more cohesive look. Customization options allowed buyers to personalize the front bumper, door trim, and rear diffuser in various finishes. The Black Optic package added black accents, Anthracite Gray Audi rings, and blacked-out chrome exhaust tips. A unique laser-etched badging on the B-pillar added a touch of exclusivity. The Q7 was available in nine colours, including the new Sakhir Gold, with five wheel options, two of which were new designs in 21- or 22-inch diameters. Inside, the updates were minimal, with new wood and carbon trim inlays but limited interior colour choices. The interior featured stacked infotainment screens and extensive HVAC vents, though the piano black surfaces were prone to fingerprints.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid debuted with a more cohesive design, albeit losing some of its distinctiveness. Its blockier shape and reduced body sculpting gave it a visual heft reminiscent of a compact Ford Explorer. The Forester Hybrid maintained a rugged appearance with black plastic elements hinting at its off-road potential. Inside, it retained some of its previous character with a beveled dashboard centre section, now dominated by a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The digital instrument panel, exclusive to the Hybrid model, added modernity. While the cabin featured hard plastics, areas frequently touched were covered with soft-touch materials. The rear seating area prioritized durability, while the front seats offered ample cushioning and support. The hybrid's ventilation system enhanced comfort, and heated outboard rear seats were included. Despite losing some personality, the Forester Hybrid aimed for broader appeal.

The 2025 Audi Q7 offered two engine choices for its base model. The 45 TFSI featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 261 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The 55 TFSI, standard on the Progressiv and Technik trims, boasted a 3.0-litre turbo V6 with 335 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The top Technik trim provided smooth power delivery through an eight-speed automatic transmission, driving all four wheels. While Comfort mode prioritized efficiency, Dynamic mode aimed for sportiness but fell short in steering feedback and transmission responsiveness. The Q7's manual mode offered more driver control, and the brakes were firm. The SUV handled well, partly due to available all-wheel steering, with minimal body roll in tight turns. Drive modes included Individual, All Road, and Off Road, catering to various terrains. Fuel economy ratings were 13.0 L/100 km city, 10.0 highway, and 11.7 combined for the 55 TFSI, with the smaller engine offering slightly better efficiency.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre horizontally opposed flat four-cylinder "boxer" engine, adapted for hybrid use. The parallel hybrid system, featuring two motor/generators and a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, produced 194 horsepower, surpassing the standard Forester's 180 hp. The hybrid powertrain, similar to Toyota's, included an all-wheel drive system with a traditional driveshaft for better traction. Acceleration was adequate, with the electric motor responding quickly, though the hybrid transmission sometimes felt sluggish. The engine emitted a monotone groan at higher speeds, noticeable during aggressive driving. The hybrid system functioned smoothly, with consistent braking performance. The Forester Hybrid excelled off-road, thanks to X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control. Its ride quality was firmer than expected, but it handled small bumps well. Larger wheels contributed to some ride firmness, but off-road capabilities and agreeable on-road manners made it appealing to various drivers.

The 2025 Audi Q7 featured heated front seats across all trims, with additional amenities like four-way lumbar support, a 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats in the Progressiv trim. The top Technik trim added a Bang & Olufsen stereo system and rear door sunshades. The Luxury package offered a massage function for the front seats, front passenger seat memory, and an air quality and fragrance function. The Q7's three-row seating was best suited for children in the third row, with limited legroom for adults. Cargo space measured 402 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,011 and 1,970 litres with the third and second rows folded, respectively. Small storage was limited, with a shallow centre console and door pockets.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid provided an unimpeded forward view from the driver's seat, thanks to thinner front roof pillars. The front seats offered ample space, and the cockpit felt open and airy. Rear seats accommodated average-sized adults comfortably, with generous legroom and headroom. The standard panoramic sunroof enhanced the sense of openness. A wireless charging pad was standard, though its hard surface allowed phones to slide. Storage included moderately sized cup holders, a deep centre armrest bin, and medium-sized door pockets. Rear passengers had USB-A and USB-C charge ports and air vents but no separate temperature controls. The Forester Hybrid offered 779 litres of cargo space, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for convenience.

The 2025 Audi Q7 featured Audi’s Multi Media Interface (MMI) infotainment system on a 10.1-inch centre screen, with a smaller screen for HVAC controls. A large configurable digital gauge cluster was also included. The menu structure was user-friendly, though the screen could be sluggish, requiring a firm push on tiles. Haptic feedback provided confirmation, but screen interactions felt cumbersome. Audi's navigation system, featuring Google Maps, was a highlight, with satellite view available on the gauge cluster. The Audi App Store offered third-party program downloads. Online navigation and traffic light information were included for a trial period.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen, featuring built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Starlink infotainment system received praise for its large on-screen buttons and intuitive menus. Climate controls remained on the bottom of the screen, with physical buttons for temperature adjustments. The X-Mode off-road drive menu was accessible by swiping the screen. External camera views aided off-roading, with a front camera showing obstacles over crests. The Forester Hybrid included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The 2025 Audi Q7 was equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control on upper trims. It could park itself in parallel and perpendicular spaces. However, the lane-centring system was inconsistent, and the adaptive cruise control lacked some features found in competitors. The Q7 received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with four stars for front crash and rollover. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not yet rated the 2025 model but awarded the 2024 model top marks in crashworthiness.

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 top scores in most categories, earning it a Top Safety Pick award. The Forester Hybrid featured Subaru's EyeSight suite of safety features, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Top-trim models added rear automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. The systems functioned smoothly, with customizable alerts.