Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid presented a fresh design for its sixth-generation model, adopting a more conventional look that some felt diminished its distinctiveness. Its blockier shape and reduced body sculpting gave it a visual heft reminiscent of a compact Ford Explorer. Despite this, the Forester maintained a rugged appearance with black plastic elements hinting at its off-road capabilities. Inside, the Forester Hybrid featured a beveled dashboard centre section dominated by a large vertical infotainment touchscreen, adding modernity alongside a digital instrument panel exclusive to the Hybrid model. While hard plastics were prevalent, soft-touch materials enhanced comfort in frequently touched areas, and the front seats offered ample cushioning and support.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 combined the essence of a 1980s hatchback with modern crossover SUV elements, resulting in a unique and appealing design. Its profile was defined by angular lines and a character line that created a triangular shape, complemented by dark cladding for a crossover flavour. The front featured a visor slit with rectangular headlights, while the rear boasted an integrated spoiler and darkened panels. Inside, the Ioniq 5 was utilitarian yet tech-savvy, with cloth upholstery as standard and synthetic leather available. The interior was equipped with dual 12.3-inch screens and touch controls for the climate system, creating a somewhat sterile but modern environment.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre flat four-cylinder "boxer" 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, replacing the CVT found in non-hybrid models. The Forester's AWD system used a traditional driveshaft, offering better traction and consistent off-road performance. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission sometimes made it feel slower than it was. The ride quality was firm, with some jostling over moderate road undulations, but it excelled off-road with features like X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a choice between a single-motor RWD powertrain with 225 hp and a dual-motor AWD setup producing 320 hp. The Ioniq 5 N performance model boasted up to 641 hp. The dual-motor powertrain provided quiet and robust power, with a 0 to 100 km/h time of 5.3 seconds. Drivers could select from five regenerative braking settings, including a one-pedal driving mode. While the steering was direct, it lacked agility, and the vehicle's weight could lead to understeer in corners.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid offered excellent forward visibility thanks to thin front roof pillars. The front seats provided ample space and comfort, while the rear seats accommodated average-sized adults with ease. A panoramic sunroof enhanced the sense of openness. Storage options included a wireless charging pad, cup holders, and door pockets. The Forester Hybrid's cargo space was 779 litres, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for added convenience.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured spacious front seats with standard eight-way power adjustments for the driver and optional ventilated front seats. The rear seat offered 1,002 millimetres of legroom, accommodating two adults comfortably. Cargo space was 745 litres with the rear seats up, expanding to 1,655 litres when folded. A 24-litre front trunk added a bit more storage. While cargo space was slightly smaller than some competitors, the Ioniq 5's design maximized usability.

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 praised for its user-friendly interface, 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. An 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system provided premium sound quality.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen under a single glass panel. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation. The Ultimate Package added a wireless smartphone charger, head-up display, and Bose audio system. The MyHyundai app allowed remote vehicle management, and the infotainment system was intuitive with voice command capabilities.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA in most categories and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. Standard safety features included Subaru's EyeSight suite, with advanced systems like frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The top-trim Forester Hybrid added features like blind spot monitoring and a surround-view monitor.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Ultimate Package added advanced features like a surround-view camera system and Highway Driving Assist 2. The Ioniq 5 received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though NHTSA ratings were unavailable.