INFINITI QX60 vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid presented a fresh design for its sixth-generation model, adopting a more conventional and cohesive look compared to its predecessor. This redesign resulted in a blockier shape, reminiscent of a compact Ford Explorer, which some might argue diminished its distinctiveness. Despite this, the Forester maintained a rugged appearance with black plastic elements hinting at its off-road capabilities. Inside, the Forester Hybrid featured a modernized cabin with a large vertical infotainment touchscreen and a digital instrument panel exclusive to the hybrid model. While hard plastics were prevalent, the areas frequently touched were covered with soft materials, and the front seats offered ample comfort and support.

The 2026 INFINITI QX60, available in Luxe, Sport, and Autograph trims, showcased a stylish exterior with a new grille design and a Sport trim featuring gloss black wheels. The Autograph trim, priced at CAD $85,773, boasted a luxurious interior with premium semi-aniline leather and real open-pore wood. Despite its upscale cabin, the driving position in the Autograph trim was less than ideal, with a low, reclined seating position. The second-row captain’s chairs provided more comfort, while the third row was tight for adults. Cargo space was limited behind the third row but expanded significantly with seats folded.

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 an all-wheel-drive system with a traditional driveshaft, offering better traction for off-roading. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission sometimes made the vehicle feel slower than it was. The ride quality was firm, with the hybrid excelling in off-road conditions thanks to Subaru's X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control.

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-four VC-Turbo engine, delivering 268 horsepower and 286 pound-feet of torque. It offered a smooth and refined driving experience in Auto mode, though Sport mode resulted in power surges and clumsy gear changes. The QX60's AWD system lacked sophistication, allowing too much front wheel slip before engaging. While the QX60 was quiet in urban settings, its suspension was too soft at higher speeds, leading to unwanted body motion. The vehicle was not suited for enthusiastic driving on mountain roads, feeling heavy and uncommunicative.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid offered excellent forward visibility due to its thin front roof pillars. The cabin felt open and airy, with ample space for front and rear passengers. The panoramic sunroof added to the sense of openness, and the cargo area provided 779 litres of space, easily accessible with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases.

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 provided seven-passenger seating in Luxe and Sport trims, while the Autograph trim featured six-passenger seating with second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, but the driving position was less than ideal. The second-row seats were comfortable and offered easy access to the third row, which was tight for adults. Cargo space was limited behind the third row but expanded to 2,135 litres with seats folded.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid came equipped with an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation. The system was user-friendly, with large on-screen buttons and easy-to-navigate menus. The Forester Hybrid also included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and multiple external camera views for off-roading.

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 introduced a new Google built-in infotainment system displayed on a 12.3-inch touchscreen, offering Google Assistant, Google Maps, and access to apps. The system was generally easy to use, though Google Maps occasionally failed to load properly. The QX60 featured a Klipsch premium audio system, which, despite its high-end setup, delivered a mediocre listening experience. The vehicle also included a digital instrument cluster, head-up display, and camera-based digital rearview mirror.

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. It came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including features like frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The top-trim Forester Hybrid added blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor.

The 2026 INFINITI QX60 included standard driver assistance features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. ProPilot Assist 1.1 and 2.1 offered adaptive cruise control and hands-free driving capability, though the system's performance was inconsistent. The NHTSA awarded the QX60 a five-star overall rating, but the IIHS had not released crash-test ratings at the time of publication.