Hyundai Tucson Hybrid vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid emerged as a bold departure from its predecessors, showcasing a striking new design that was both longer and wider. Its sharp, angular lines and dramatic grille, which seamlessly integrated with the LED lighting, set it apart from the crowd. The Tucson's exterior was a gamble, with its aggressive styling potentially polarizing opinions. Inside, the Tucson offered a spacious and airy cabin, with standard heated front seats and a host of tech features, including a 10.25-inch digital driver display on higher trims. The interior was thoughtfully designed, although the centre console felt somewhat bulky. Despite its modern aesthetics, the Tucson's interior could become uncomfortably warm due to its expansive windshield and sunroof, though the efficient air conditioning and ventilated seats provided relief.

In contrast, the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid adopted a more conventional design, losing some of its distinctiveness in favour of a cohesive, blockier shape reminiscent of a compact Ford Explorer. Its rugged appearance, accentuated by black plastic elements, hinted at its off-road capabilities. Inside, the Forester retained some of its previous charm with a beveled dashboard and a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The cabin featured a mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials, with the front seats offering ample comfort and support. The rear seats provided generous legroom and headroom, enhanced by a standard panoramic sunroof. While the Forester's design may have lost some personality, it gained broader appeal, making it a practical choice for a wide range of drivers.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid impressed with its 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This setup provided a noticeable improvement in acceleration compared to the gas-only model. The Tucson Hybrid's steering was responsive and direct, while its six-speed automatic transmission performed admirably. The suspension excelled at absorbing road imperfections, maintaining a balanced ride through corners. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the hybrid achieving 6.4 L/100 km combined, a significant improvement over the gas variant. For those seeking even greater efficiency, the plug-in hybrid version offered 2.9 Le/100 km and 53 km of all-electric range.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre flat four-cylinder engine combined with a parallel hybrid system, producing 194 horsepower. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission sometimes made it feel slower than it was. The Forester's AWD system, utilizing a traditional driveshaft, provided better traction and consistency off-road. The hybrid system operated smoothly, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The ride quality was firmer than expected, but the Forester excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control. These features made it a versatile choice for both urban and adventurous drivers.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid offered impressive cargo space, with 1,097 litres in the trunk and 2,108 litres with the rear seats folded. Its dual-level cargo floor allowed for flexible storage options. The Tucson provided excellent front and rear legroom, with reclining rear seats adding to passenger comfort. The interior featured thoughtful storage solutions, including cupholders and bottle holders, while ambient lighting added a touch of flair.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid provided a spacious and airy cabin, with thin front roof pillars offering excellent forward visibility. The rear seats offered ample legroom and headroom, enhanced by a standard panoramic sunroof. While storage options were adequate, the Forester's cargo space was slightly less than some rivals, with 779 litres available. However, its upright tail design allowed for bulkier items, and features like a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases made loading and unloading easier.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with native software, though Android Auto and Apple CarPlay required a wired connection and used only part of the screen. The touch-capacitive controls for infotainment and HVAC were less intuitive than physical buttons, but steering-wheel controls offered an alternative. The Tucson boasted numerous USB ports and a premium Bose audio system on higher trims.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid came equipped with an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen, offering built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Starlink system received praise for its user-friendly interface and large on-screen buttons. Physical buttons for temperature adjustments were a welcome feature, while the X-Mode off-road menu and external camera views enhanced the driving experience. The Forester Hybrid also included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and rear occupant alert. Higher trims added advanced features like a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor. The Tucson earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though NHTSA ratings were pending.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid received high safety ratings, with five stars from NHTSA in most categories and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. Subaru's EyeSight suite of safety features was standard, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. Additional features like rear automatic braking and a surround-view monitor were available on higher trims. The Forester's safety systems performed reliably, with customizable alerts for a more personalized experience.