Lincoln Navigator vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2025 Lincoln Navigator presented a more refined aesthetic, moving away from its previous flashy design to embrace a subtler elegance. The Black Label Special Edition package added a sophisticated touch with blacked-out wheels and details, allowing the illuminated star logo and light bars to stand out. The overall design was cleaner and more cohesive, with new 24-inch wheel designs and a striking Sunrise Copper paint option exclusive to Black Label models. Inside, the Navigator adopted a minimalist cabin design, enhancing the perception of quality despite some ergonomic challenges. The 48-inch panoramic display and Revel speaker grilles added a touch of modern luxury, although some interior elements, like the tweeter speaker housings, detracted from the overall premium feel.

In contrast, the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid underwent a redesign that introduced a more conventional look, sacrificing some of its distinctiveness for broader appeal. The new design featured less body sculpting and a blockier shape, giving it a rugged appearance with black plastic elements hinting at off-road potential. Inside, the Forester retained some of its previous charm with a beveled dashboard centre section, now dominated by a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The cabin offered a mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials, with the front seats providing ample comfort and support. The hybrid model included heated outboard rear seats, enhancing passenger comfort. While some felt the Forester lost personality, its new design aimed to attract a wider audience.

The 2025 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering an impressive 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, it offered a towing capacity of up to 3,950 kilograms (8,700 pounds) with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package. The Navigator's 4WD system and 22.6 centimetres of ground clearance made it capable on various terrains. Despite its three-ton curb weight, the Navigator accelerated swiftly, with the twin-turbo V6 providing a satisfying sound. Various driving modes allowed for adjustments in powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness, although the 24-inch wheels contributed to a rougher ride. The Navigator excelled on smooth highways, offering a quiet and composed experience, especially with the BlueCruise hands-free driving system.

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 an AWD system with a traditional driveshaft for better traction. Acceleration was adequate, though the hybrid transmission sometimes made it feel slower than it was. The hybrid system transitioned smoothly between electric and engine power, with consistent braking performance. The Forester Hybrid offered a firmer ride, with larger 19-inch wheels contributing to some passenger jostling. Off-road, the Forester Hybrid excelled with its X-Mode drive programming, handling rutted trails with ease. Hill descent control added to its off-road capabilities, making it a versatile choice for both urban and adventurous drivers.

The 2025 Lincoln Navigator excelled in interior space and luxury, though taller passengers found the rear seats less accommodating. The Navigator offered Perfect Position seats with up to 24-way power adjustment, heated and ventilated, with massage functionality in the Black Label trim. The Lincoln Rejuvenate system provided stress relief through scent, sound, imagery, and massage. Second-row captain’s chairs were comfortable but offered limited knee room due to thick front seats. The third-row seat provided good leg support but also faced knee room constraints. The Navigator L variant offered expanded cargo space, with a new Split Gate tailgate design enhancing accessibility. Cargo volumes ranged from 611 litres to 3,443 litres, depending on the configuration.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid impressed with its unimpeded forward view, thanks to thinner front roof pillars. The front seats offered ample space, and the cockpit felt open and airy. Rear seats provided generous legroom and headroom, enhanced by a standard panoramic sunroof. Storage options included a wireless charging pad, cup holders, and door pockets, though not overly generous. The Forester Hybrid 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 it practical for everyday use.

The 2025 Lincoln Navigator featured the Lincoln Digital Experience infotainment system with a 48-inch panoramic display and an 11.1-inch centre touchscreen. The system integrated Google Built-in and Alexa Built-in, offering an intuitive interface. However, some controls, like air vent adjustments, required navigating the touchscreen, which could be distracting. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system provided a satisfying listening experience. Additional tech included Phone As A Key, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, and various trailering technologies. The Navigator lacked a head-up display and digital rearview mirror, which could have enhanced its tech offerings.

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 infotainment system was praised for its large on-screen buttons and easy-to-navigate menus. Physical buttons allowed for no-look temperature adjustments, though some functions required screen interaction. The X-Mode off-road drive menu offered simple terrain-related controls, with external camera views aiding off-road navigation. The Forester Hybrid also included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, enhancing the in-car entertainment experience.

The 2025 Lincoln Navigator boasted an impressive array of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. Unique features like intersection assist and evasive steering assist added to its safety credentials. BlueCruise provided hands-free driving on approved roads, with the latest version offering improved functionality. However, as of this writing, the Navigator had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.

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. The EyeSight suite of safety features included frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Top-trim models added rear automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, and more. The systems functioned smoothly, with the adaptive cruise control noted for its smooth operation.