Genesis GV70 vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid showcased a redesigned exterior that leaned towards a more conventional and cohesive look, reminiscent of a compact Ford Explorer. This sixth-generation model featured a blockier shape with less body sculpting, giving it a rugged appearance enhanced by black plastic elements. The hybrid version was nearly identical to its gas-powered counterpart, with only subtle badges distinguishing it. Inside, the Forester Hybrid retained some of its previous charm with a beveled dashboard centre section, now dominated by a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The cabin combined hard plastics with soft-touch materials in high-contact areas, while the rear seats prioritized durability. The front seats offered ample cushioning and support, with added ventilation for comfort on warm days, and the hybrid model included heated outboard rear seats.

The 2026 Genesis GV70 embodied the brand's "Athletic Elegance" design philosophy, featuring a refined style with a strong grille and sweeping profile. The GV70 was available in eight colours, including four matte hues and a new Ceres Blue. The front fascia was sharpened with a redrawn crest-shaped grille and two-line headlamps. Inside, the GV70's dashboard was dominated by a 27-inch OLED screen, complemented by redesigned interior lighting elements. The Sport model featured unique grille patterns, dark chrome moulding, and 21-inch wheels, with carbon fibre trim inside. The interior offered flashy colour options, including deep blue with orange stitching or bright red paired with black, while more traditional black and beige options were also available.

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. This setup included two motor/generators and a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, offering better traction with its all-wheel drive system. The hybrid's acceleration was adequate, though the transmission made it feel slower than it was. The ride quality was firm, with some passenger jostling over moderate road undulations. Off-road, the Forester Hybrid excelled with its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control, making it a versatile choice for both urban and adventurous drivers.

The 2026 Genesis GV70 featured a base 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 3.5T Sport trim offered a 3.5-litre turbocharged V6, delivering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. The GV70 provided a smooth ride with its Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, along with a new Terrain Mode for various road conditions. The 2026 model introduced hydro bushings and Highway Body Motion Control for improved comfort, while the Road Preview feature used cameras to adjust the suspension for a smoother ride.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid offered an unobstructed forward view from the driver's seat, thanks to thinner front roof pillars. The front seats provided ample space, and the cockpit felt open and airy. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and headroom, enhanced by a standard panoramic sunroof. The Forester Hybrid featured a wireless charging pad, USB ports for rear passengers, and a cargo capacity of 779 litres, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for convenience.

The 2026 Genesis GV70 provided ample space for tall drivers in the front seats, though the 27-inch OLED screen was partially blocked by the steering wheel. The centre console featured a rotary shifter and infotainment dial, which could be confusing. Rear seats offered headroom and shoulder room, but legroom was less generous. The sloping roofline made the rear feel more cramped, and cargo space was adequate but less than some competitors.

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 system was praised for its user-friendly interface, with large on-screen buttons and easy-to-navigate menus. The hybrid model included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and external camera views for off-roading.

The 2026 Genesis GV70 boasted a 27-inch OLED touchscreen with over-the-air updates, customizable themes, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen displayed various camera angles, including a 360-degree Surround View Monitor. The GV70 featured a customizable digital gauge cluster, additional voice commands, Genesis Digital Key, and a fingerprint authentication system.

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. The Forester Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight suite with features like 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 2026 Genesis GV70 offered a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, and blind-spot collision avoidance assist. The Highway Driving Assist II technology detected hands on the steering wheel and proved reliable. While the 2026 model hadn't been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, previous versions received high marks, and similar results were expected for the refreshed model.