Subaru Forester Hybrid vs Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid presented a more cohesive design compared to its predecessor, albeit at the cost of some distinctiveness. Its blockier shape and reduced body sculpting gave it a visual heft reminiscent of a compact Ford Explorer. Despite its conventional appearance, the Forester maintained a rugged look with black plastic elements hinting at off-road capabilities. Inside, the Forester Hybrid featured a beveled dashboard centre section dominated by a large vertical infotainment touchscreen, adding modernity alongside 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 cushioning and support, enhanced by ventilation and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid showcased a bold design that polarized opinions, particularly with its flat, faceless grille. The vehicle's personality shifted with colour and trim, with body-coloured vertical strakes that blended better in darker shades. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks, flanked by distinctive amber accent lights. The Telluride's side profile featured unique faceted fender sculpting and black plastic tabs atop each wheel well, while the rear view adopted a Range Rover-like style with rounded corners and vertical taillights. Inside, the Telluride's simple horizontal dashboard layout and buttonless modern appearance were less controversial. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though some button labels were hard to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, were somewhat firm, but surrounding material quality was excellent.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre flat four-cylinder "boxer" engine, paired with a parallel hybrid system featuring two motor/generators and a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, producing a combined 194 horsepower. Its all-wheel drive system used a traditional driveshaft, promising better traction off-road. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission made it feel slower, with the engine emitting a monotone groan at higher speeds. The hybrid system functioned smoothly, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The Forester Hybrid excelled off-road with its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control, offering a balance between terrain-conquering abilities and agreeable on-road manners.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid version added electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery pack, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed transmission. The Telluride Hybrid delivered ample power and a quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. Both Tellurides offered a luxuriously smooth ride, with the Hybrid SX Prestige trim having a stiffer ride due to its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride was composed on winding roads, with a soft brake pedal effort that required adjustment. In panic stops, brake response was immediate and controlled.

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 an open, airy feel, while the rear seats offered plenty of legroom and headroom. A panoramic sunroof enhanced the sense of openness. Storage options included a wireless charging pad, cup holders, 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 easy loading.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers. The second row featured power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, offering comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats had significant travel fore and aft, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride could hold up to 631 litres of cargo behind the third row, with a total capacity of 2,528 litres with the second-row seatbacks folded flat. The hybrid models lost only about 30 litres of cargo space. The Telluride could tow up to 2,268 kilograms, or 2,040 kilograms for the hybrid.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen with built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Starlink infotainment system featured large on-screen buttons and easy-to-navigate menus. The X-Mode off-road drive menu offered simple terrain-related controls, and external camera views aided off-roading. The Forester Hybrid also included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. It included a native navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it required a firm tap to register inputs. The climate control screen was difficult to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available. A 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system delivered powerful sound, with lower trims equipped with an eight-speaker system.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned 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. All Forester models came with Subaru's EyeSight suite of advanced safety features, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The top-trim Forester Hybrid added rear automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added a surround-view camera system, blind-spot camera system, and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor occasionally triggered at night, and the blind-spot cameras were more distracting than helpful. The highway driving assist was particularly effective on longer trips.