Nissan Murano vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2025 Nissan Murano presented a bold new front design, featuring a next-gen lighting signature with a wing motif of horizontal lines that seamlessly integrated into the grille. This fresh face was a departure from its predecessor, giving the Murano a wider appearance, not just due to design elements but also because it was nearly seven and a half centimetres wider with an additional 3.5 centimetres of ground clearance. The chrome arch along the windows and the winged LEDs were standout styling elements, though not entirely original, as they were reminiscent of the Hyundai Tucson. However, the Murano's cohesive and sophisticated look was preferred by some reviewers. The interior saw a modern update with a sleeker dash layout and a new push-button gear selector, enhancing the centre console's functionality. The "Murano glass-inspired" treatment on the dash added a unique aesthetic, although the SL trim's shift from genuine leather to leatherette was a noted downgrade.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid underwent a redesign that resulted in a more cohesive yet conventional look, losing some of its distinctiveness. Its blockier shape gave it a rugged appearance, enhanced by black plastic elements hinting at off-road potential. The interior retained some of its previous charm with a beveled dashboard centre section, now dominated by a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The cabin featured a mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials, with the front seats offering ample cushioning and support. The hybrid model included heated outboard rear seats, adding to passenger comfort. While some felt the Forester lost some personality, its new design aimed for broader appeal.

The 2025 Nissan Murano introduced a new powertrain with a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, known as VC-Turbo, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine delivered 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, offering a torquier experience than the previous V6. The nine-speed automatic was a significant improvement over the old CVT, enhancing acceleration and highway passing capabilities. Standard AWD in Canada provided reliable traction, while higher trims offered features like Transparent Hood View for improved visibility. Noise cancellation was effective, especially in the Platinum AWD model, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre horizontally opposed flat four-cylinder engine, combined with a parallel hybrid system producing 194 horsepower. The hybrid system used two motor/generators and a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, providing adequate acceleration. The AWD system, combined with a traditional driveshaft, offered better traction and consistent off-road performance. The hybrid transmission, however, made the vehicle feel slower than it was, with a monotone engine groan at higher speeds. The hybrid system functioned smoothly, with seamless transitions between electric and engine power. The ride quality was firm, but the Forester Hybrid excelled off-road with its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control.

The 2025 Nissan Murano continued to offer impressive comfort features, including standard heated and power-adjustable front seats. The Platinum trim added massage functionality, easily accessible via a button near the seat-adjustment controls. The interior featured Nissan's Zero Gravity seats, providing comfort for both front and rear passengers. Front-row legroom increased to 1,124 millimetres, while headroom reached 1,000 mm with the panoramic moonroof. However, the second row lost 6 cm of legroom, now offering 922 mm. Cargo volume was competitive, with 931 litres of storage space behind the rear seats and a power liftgate standard.

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. Rear seats offered generous legroom and headroom, enhanced by the standard panoramic sunroof. Storage options included a wireless charging pad, cup holders, and door pockets, though the charging pad's hard surface allowed phones to slide. The Forester Hybrid's cargo space was 779 litres, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for convenience.

The 2025 Nissan Murano was well-equipped with tech features, including wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The monolith-style display housed two 12.3-inch screens for infotainment and driver information. The SL trim added Google Built-In, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, and a 64-colour ambient lighting system. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, enhancing the tech offerings.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid featured an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen with built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Starlink infotainment system was praised for its user-friendly interface and large on-screen buttons. The X-Mode off-road drive menu was accessible via the touchscreen, and external camera views aided off-roading. The Forester Hybrid also included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2025 Nissan Murano came standard with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including lane departure warning, blind spot warning, and automatic emergency braking. ProPILOT Assist was added, with higher trims offering ProPILOT Assist 1.1 for enhanced speed adjustment. The Murano earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with improvements in safety offerings, including a passenger's side airbag and a 3D Intelligent Around View Monitor.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests, except for rollover protection, which received four stars. The IIHS awarded the non-hybrid model a Top Safety Pick. The Forester Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight suite, with features like frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Top trims added blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor.