GMC Terrain vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2022 GMC Terrain underwent a series of updates, including refreshed front styling, new wheel designs, and revised taillights and interior trim. The introduction of the AT4 trim level brought a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges, emphasizing its off-road capabilities. However, despite these enhancements, the Terrain's interior materials and design did not fully meet expectations for a vehicle priced over $40,000. The pushbutton transmission controls, while freeing up console space, were not intuitive, and the storage tray was too narrow for a smartphone. The head-up display, projected onto a clear plastic panel, also fell short of the premium feel GMC aimed to deliver.

In contrast, the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid debuted with a more cohesive design, albeit losing some of its distinctiveness. Its rugged appearance, accentuated by black plastic elements, hinted at its off-road potential. Inside, the Forester 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. The hybrid model included heated outboard rear seats and a digital instrument panel, adding to its modern appeal. While some argued the Forester lost some personality, its design aimed for broader appeal.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While the engine's power delivery required some adaptation, the nine-speed automatic transmission helped maintain the SUV within its torque band. The Terrain's performance was adequate for most driving scenarios, though it lacked the acceleration of the previously available 2.0-litre engine. The AT4 model offered various driving modes, including FWD, AWD, Off-Road, and Hill Descent Control, but torque steer was an issue in FWD mode. The Terrain's suspension provided a smooth ride on highways and city streets, though off-road capabilities were limited by its ground clearance and tire grip.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre flat four-cylinder engine paired with a parallel hybrid system, producing a combined 194 horsepower. The hybrid powertrain, similar to Toyota's, included an AWD system with a traditional driveshaft for better traction. Acceleration was adequate, though the hybrid transmission made it feel slower than it was. The hybrid system operated smoothly, with seamless transitions between electric and engine power. 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 2022 GMC Terrain offered a spacious interior with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-colour contrast stitching, adding an upscale touch. The rear seats provided ample legroom and support, with a rear USB charging port for convenience. Cargo space measured 838 litres behind the second row, expandable to 1,792 litres with the rear seats folded. The Terrain also included a large storage bin under the trunk floor and a foldable front passenger seat for longer items.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid impressed with its unimpeded forward view, thanks to thinner front roof pillars. The front seats offered ample space, and the cockpit felt open and airy. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and headroom, enhanced by the standard panoramic sunroof. The Forester Hybrid included a wireless charging pad, though its hard plastic surface allowed phones to slide. Storage options were adequate, with USB charge ports and air vents for rear passengers. Cargo capacity was 779 litres, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for convenience.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with the AT4 trim featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and OnStar services. The Infotainment Package II added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly praised for its accuracy and responsiveness. The Terrain also featured a head-up display, park assist sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Tire Fill Alert system.

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 was user-friendly, with large on-screen buttons and easy-to-navigate 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 audio system.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the Terrain's 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 Forester top scores, earning it a Top Safety Pick award. The Forester Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight suite of safety features, with frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-keep assist. The top-trim Forester Hybrid added rear automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver attention monitor, and a surround-view monitor.