Hyundai Tucson vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson continued the bold design language introduced in its fourth generation. Its styling was characterized by taut angles and unique elements like headlights that seamlessly blended into the grille, creating a contemporary and aggressive look. Despite being a carryover model, the Tucson maintained its sharp appearance, even in less photogenic colours like white. The interior mirrored this modern aesthetic with a refined cabin that housed a wealth of technology, although some features, like the touch-capacitive volume controls, were less user-friendly. The Tucson offered a range of trims, each adding distinct features, from the sporty N Line to the luxurious Ultimate, which boasted advanced driver assistance technologies and premium materials.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid, on the other hand, debuted with a more cohesive yet conventional design, losing some of its distinctiveness in favour of a blockier shape reminiscent of a compact Ford Explorer. Its rugged appearance was accentuated by black plastic elements, hinting 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 hybrid model included heated rear seats and a panoramic sunroof, enhancing the sense of space and comfort for passengers.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson in Canada was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. While adequate for city driving, the engine struggled to deliver brisk acceleration on highways, often requiring heavy throttle input. For those seeking more power, Hyundai offered hybrid variants with up to 261 horsepower. The Tucson excelled in handling and ride quality, providing a comfortable and composed driving experience, though it wasn't as sporty as some competitors.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre horizontally opposed flat four-cylinder engine, combined with a parallel hybrid system producing 194 horsepower. The hybrid powertrain, similar to Toyota's, included two motor/generators and a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The Forester's all-wheel drive system, utilizing a traditional driveshaft, offered better traction for off-road adventures. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission's lack of traditional shifts made it feel slower. The Forester Hybrid's ride was firmer, with larger wheels contributing to some passenger jostling. However, its off-road capabilities, aided by Subaru's X-Mode and hill descent control, set it apart from rivals.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson offered impressive cargo space, with up to 2,119 litres available with the rear seats folded and 1,097 litres with them in use. The hands-free power liftgate, available on higher trims, provided convenience for loading items. The Tucson accommodated five passengers comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The cabin featured numerous storage solutions, including deep cup holders and a wireless charging pad.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid provided an unobstructed forward view, thanks to its thin roof pillars. The front seats offered generous space, while the rear seats provided ample legroom and headroom, enhanced by the standard panoramic sunroof. The Forester Hybrid's cargo capacity was 779 litres, slightly less than some competitors, but its upright tail design allowed for bulkier items. A hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases made loading easier, while handy hooks kept groceries secure.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson came with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a fully digital instrument panel. While the infotainment system was intuitive, it lacked wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The haptic volume controls were less user-friendly, but the system's functionality with gloves was a plus. Hyundai's evolved remote start system allowed for seamless vehicle operation once inside.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid featured an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen with built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Starlink system was praised for its large on-screen buttons and easy-to-navigate menus. Physical buttons for climate controls allowed for no-look adjustments, while the X-Mode off-road menu and external camera views enhanced off-road driving. The Forester Hybrid also included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson offered a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Ultimate trim added advanced features like a 360-degree parking camera and Smart Park remote-parking. The Tucson received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a Top Safety Pick+ designation.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the latter awarding it a Top Safety Pick. Subaru's EyeSight suite of safety features was standard, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The top-trim Forester Hybrid added features like rear automatic braking and a surround-view monitor. The systems functioned reliably, with the option to disable audible alarms for lane-keep assist.