Lexus NX vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid presented a more conventional design compared to its predecessor, with a blockier shape and less body sculpting, resembling a compact Ford Explorer. Despite losing some distinctiveness, it maintained a rugged appearance with black plastic elements hinting at 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, soft-touch materials covered frequently touched areas, and the front seats offered ample comfort and support. The rear seating area prioritized durability, and the hybrid model included heated outboard rear seats.

The 2026 Lexus NX retained a fresh look with well-integrated styling elements, including chunky fenders and the signature spindle grille. While not as classically handsome as some rivals, it avoided awkwardness seen in other luxury SUVs. The NX offered various powertrain options, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, with multiple packages enhancing features like adaptive dampers and black 20-inch wheels. Despite its bold design, the NX struggled to meet luxury expectations, with the F Sport 3 package's interior feeling similar to high-end Toyota models. The NX 350 Executive package offered leather upholstery and standard heated and ventilated front seats, but the overall ride quality and steering left much to be desired.

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 two motor/generators and a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, providing standard all-wheel drive with a traditional driveshaft for better traction. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission made it feel slower, with the engine revving at higher speeds. The hybrid system functioned smoothly, with consistent braking and predictable handling on twisty roads. The ride quality was firm, but the Forester Hybrid excelled off-road with its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control, offering a balanced performance for both urban and adventurous drivers.

The 2026 Lexus NX 350 F Sport 3 featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Despite a respectable 7.0-second zero to 100 km/h time, the engine felt more suited for a pickup truck, and the transmission's lethargy hindered performance. The NX 350h hybrid and NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid models offered more compelling powertrains, with the latter achieving 304 hp and a 6.1-second sprint to 100 km/h. However, the NX's chassis tuning and ride quality were disappointing, with firm dampers and lifeless steering detracting from the driving experience.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid impressed with its unimpeded forward view, thanks to thin front roof pillars. The front seats provided ample space and comfort, while the rear seats offered generous legroom and headroom, enhanced by a standard panoramic sunroof. Storage options included a wireless charging pad, cup holders, and USB ports for rear passengers. The Forester Hybrid's cargo space measured 779 litres, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for convenience.

The 2026 Lexus NX offered competitive passenger space, though rear-seat legroom trailed some rivals. The front seats felt constrained, with limited headroom and hindered visibility due to a deep dashboard and large mirrors. The F Sport 3 package's sport seats provided comfort but were unnecessary given the NX's performance. Cargo space measured 643 litres with the rear seats up and 1,328 litres with them folded, falling short of competitors. The NX's towing capacity was also below class-leading figures.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid came equipped 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. 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 Lexus NX featured a standard 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 14-inch display available in higher packages. All models included a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and six USB ports. Higher packages offered a head-up display and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. Data connectivity packages provided additional features like cloud-based navigation and digital key functionality. The 14-inch touchscreen was well-placed, but the touch slider for fan speed adjustment was awkward. The voice recognition system offered some convenience but had limitations in functionality.

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 Lexus NX came with the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, offering features like forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane centring assist. Additional driver-assist features included park assist and a 360-degree camera system. The NX received an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, with top scores in most crash tests, though it missed the highest award due to an "Acceptable" score in the moderate overlap front crash test.