Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 presented a bold and distinctive design that divided opinions. Its aerodynamic shape, inspired by smooth pebbles and midcentury modern sofas, was crafted to house seven passengers comfortably. Measuring 5,060 millimetres in length with a 3,130 mm wheelbase, the Ioniq 9 offered impressive interior volume, akin to a Honda Pilot in length but with a wheelbase longer than a Chevy Tahoe. Despite its size, it achieved a remarkable 0.27 drag coefficient, enhancing its aerodynamic efficiency. However, the design was not universally praised, with some finding the swooping roofline and stubby rear end, inspired by a ship's stern, less appealing. The rear view, with its LED taillights wrapping around the tail's circumference, was particularly distinctive.

In contrast, the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid underwent a redesign that resulted in a more cohesive yet conventional appearance. The new model lost some of its distinctiveness, adopting a blockier shape reminiscent of a fun-sized Ford Explorer. Despite this, the Forester maintained a rugged look with black plastic elements hinting at its off-road potential. The interior 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 providing ample cushioning and support. The hybrid model included heated outboard rear seats, enhancing comfort for passengers. While some felt the Forester lost some personality, its more conventional design likely broadened its appeal.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 was equipped with a 110.3-kWh battery pack on Hyundai's e-GMP platform, offering a larger capacity than similar models like the Kia EV9 and Tesla Model X. The base Essential trim featured a rear-wheel drive system with a single 160-kW electric motor, producing 215 horsepower. Other trims boasted a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, with the Preferred AWD generating 303 hp and the Preferred AWD+ delivering 422 hp. Despite its power, the Ioniq 9 impressed with its energy efficiency, often exceeding the 500-kilometre range estimate. The vehicle's weight and soft suspension provided a smooth ride, though it lacked agility in corners. The Ioniq 9 offered a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms for AWD models and supported various charging options, including Tesla-style NACS superchargers and CCS-port Level 3 chargers.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre flat four-cylinder "boxer" engine paired with a parallel hybrid system, producing 194 horsepower. The hybrid powertrain, similar to Toyota's, included an all-wheel drive system with a traditional driveshaft for better traction. Acceleration was adequate, though the hybrid transmission sometimes made it feel slower. The hybrid system operated smoothly, with seamless transitions between electric and engine power. The Forester Hybrid excelled off-road, thanks to Subaru's X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control. On-road, the ride was firmer than expected, but the vehicle handled well on twisty roads. The Forester Hybrid's off-road capabilities and agreeable on-road manners made it appealing to both outdoor enthusiasts and urban drivers.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 focused on family-SUV practicality, offering seating for seven with a middle-row bench seat or six with captain's chairs in the Preferred AWD+ Ultimate Calligraphy Package. The sliding centre console improved access for middle-row passengers. The Ioniq 9 provided 1,086 millimetres of legroom in the middle row, though the third row felt tight for adults with 813 mm of legroom. The vehicle's large rear doors facilitated easy access, and dual-zone climate control with air vents in all rows ensured comfort. Cargo space was generous, with 620 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,462 litres with seats folded. However, the front trunk was limited in size.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid offered an unobstructed forward view from the driver's seat, thanks to thin 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 included a wireless charging pad, though its hard surface allowed phones to slide. Storage options were adequate, with cup holders, a centre armrest bin, and door pockets. The vehicle offered 779 litres of cargo space, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for convenience. The upright tail design allowed for bulkier items, making the space highly usable.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured dual curved 12.3-inch displays for its infotainment system, similar to those in higher-level Hyundai models. The screens offered good visuals but were prone to fingerprints and glare. Standard features included SiriusXM Satellite Radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. A wireless charging pad was also standard, though it struggled to keep up with high-demand devices. The Ioniq 9 provided six USB-C ports for charging, and the 14-speaker Bose audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

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. Physical buttons flanking the screen allowed for no-look temperature adjustments. The X-Mode off-road drive menu was accessible via the touchscreen, and external camera views aided off-roading. The Forester Hybrid included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, providing premium sound quality.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had not yet received crash-test ratings from NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including collision avoidance, lane-guidance technologies, driver attention warning, and safe-exit assist. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist 2 provided supervised hands-free driving, though it was less sophisticated than some competitors' systems. The Preferred AWD's Luxury package and Preferred AWD+ versions included a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests, except for rollover protection, where it received four stars. 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. The top-trim Forester Hybrid added rear automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. The safety systems functioned well, with smooth adaptive cruise control and customizable lane-keep assist alerts.