Mitsubishi Outlander vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid underwent a redesign that introduced a more cohesive look for this sixth-generation compact SUV. While it lost some of its distinctiveness, the new design featured less body sculpting and a blockier shape, giving it a visual heft reminiscent of a fun-sized Ford Explorer. The rugged appearance was enhanced by black plastic elements, hinting at its 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 cushioning and support. The hybrid model included heated outboard rear seats, adding to the comfort.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander, available in six trims, featured a distinctive front design with a thin upper eyebrow functioning as a daytime running light and a large, square headlight underneath. The front end saw subtle changes for 2025, with a smooth upper grille and light modifications to the diffuser. Inside, the top GT Premium trim boasted quilted leather seats and soft-touch surfaces, with physical controls for the HVAC system. The Yamaha speaker faces in the doors added a touch of elegance. However, some plastic elements attempted to mimic high-dollar textures. The Outlander offered a mix of comfort and practicality, with heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre horizontally opposed flat four-cylinder "boxer" engine, paired with a new parallel hybrid system. This setup produced a combined 194 horsepower, surpassing the standard Forester's 180 hp. The hybrid powertrain featured an all-wheel drive system with a traditional driveshaft, promising better traction and consistent reactions off-road. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission sometimes made it feel slower than it was. The ride quality was firm, with the larger 19-inch wheels contributing to some passenger jostling. Off-roading was a strong suit for the Forester Hybrid, thanks to Subie's X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While comparable to other models like the Mazda CX-50 and Honda CR-V, the Outlander lacked power for an enjoyable drive. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) exhibited a droning rubber-band feeling, despite being divided into eight steps. The Outlander's fuel economy was less impressive, with a rating of 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres combined. The plug-in hybrid version offered more power and better fuel efficiency, with 248 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, along with a fuel rating of 3.6 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres and 61 kilometres of all-electric range.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid offered an unimpeded forward view from the driver's seat, thanks to thinner front roof pillars. The front seats provided ample space, and the cockpit had an open, airy feel. The rear seats offered plenty of legroom and headroom, enhanced by the standard panoramic sunroof. Storage options included a wireless charging pad, cup holders, a deep centre armrest bin, and medium-sized door pockets. The Forester Hybrid could hold up to 779 litres of cargo, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for added convenience.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a third row of seating, suitable only for small children or adults in a pinch, with just 475 millimetres of legroom. Folding the third row increased cargo space to 866 litres. The driver's seat offered easy access to physical controls for the HVAC system, with heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The cup holders accommodated large cups, but deeper holders would prevent bottles from tipping during turns.

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. The X-Mode off-road drive menu and external camera views enhanced the off-roading experience. The Forester Hybrid also included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander boasted a new Yamaha premium sound system, with upper trims offering a 12-speaker, 1,650-watt system. The system featured customizable sound modes and volume adjustments based on car speed and ambient noise. The Outlander included a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a physical volume knob and camera system button. Upper trims offered a digital gauge cluster, rear camera mirror, and head-up display. Mitsubishi Connect and Remote Services were available with a trial period.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned five out of five stars in NHTSA crash tests, except for rollover protection, where it received four stars. The IIHS awarded the non-hybrid model top scores, earning it a Top Safety Pick award. The Forester Hybrid came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite of advanced safety features, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Additional features like rear automatic braking and blind spot monitoring were included in the top-trim Forester Hybrid.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander offered a limited suite of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features as standard. Base models included blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and traffic sign recognition. The NHTSA had not rated the 2025 model, but the 2024 model received four out of five stars in rollover, frontal, and side crashes. The IIHS rated the Outlander's headlights as "Good," with previous models receiving mixed ratings for crashworthiness and front crash prevention.