Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid presented a fresh design for its sixth-generation model, adopting a more conventional and cohesive look compared to its predecessor. This redesign resulted in a blockier shape, reminiscent of a compact Ford Explorer, which some might argue diminished its distinctiveness. Despite this, the Forester maintained a rugged appearance with black plastic elements hinting at its 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, the areas frequently touched were covered with soft materials, ensuring comfort and durability.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid followed a conservative design path, drawing inspiration from the popular RAV4. This resulted in a larger SUV with seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior prioritized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. Despite some unlined storage areas, the cabin offered decent material quality and logically laid-out controls. The climate system was user-friendly, though the infotainment interface had some drawbacks, such as a small volume knob and the absence of a tuning knob. Overall, the Grand Highlander provided a spacious and practical environment for families.

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, offering more power than the standard Forester. The all-wheel-drive system used a traditional driveshaft, providing better traction and consistent off-road performance. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission sometimes made the vehicle feel slower due to its high-revving engine. The Forester Hybrid excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control, making it a versatile choice for both urban and adventurous drivers.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max emphasized performance with its turbocharged 2.4-litre engine and electronic full-time AWD, delivering 362 horsepower. This powertrain allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate swiftly, aided by a traditional six-speed automatic transmission that avoided the droning typical of CVTs. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel efficiency, it offered impressive towing capacity and a smooth ride quality. The vehicle handled well at moderate speeds, though it felt large on mountain roads. The Grand Highlander provided excellent visibility, supported by a comprehensive camera system, although the front camera's frequent screen takeover was occasionally intrusive.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid offered an unobstructed forward view, thanks to its thin front roof pillars. The cabin felt open and airy, with ample space for both front and rear passengers. The panoramic sunroof enhanced the sense of openness, while standard features like a wireless charging pad and USB ports added convenience. The Forester Hybrid provided 779 litres of cargo space, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for easy loading.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid excelled in interior space, offering comfortable seating across three rows and over 2,700 litres of maximum cargo capacity. The Platinum trim featured upscale leather and suede upholstery, with heated and ventilated seats. However, the rear doors' design posed challenges for families with small children. The Grand Highlander provided 586 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 2,761 litres with the seats folded, making it ideal for family road trips.

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 system was praised for its user-friendly interface and large on-screen buttons. The X-Mode off-road drive menu and external camera views enhanced the driving experience, while the Harman Kardon audio system delivered premium sound quality.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included Toyota Connected Services, providing access to various features like collision notification and a digital voice assistant. While the infotainment system was generally easy to use, some frustrations arose from its inability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The Platinum trim included advanced features like a head-up display and a JBL premium audio system.

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. It came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including features like frontal collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The top-trim Forester Hybrid added blind spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor, with all systems functioning reliably during testing.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. While the Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, it fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to "Acceptable" ratings in certain areas. The safety tech operated accurately, though some features, like Proactive Driving Assist, were found to be more irritating than helpful.