2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid vs 2025 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 more rugged appearance compared to its predecessors. The hybrid model closely mirrored its gas-powered sibling, with only subtle badges distinguishing it. Inside, the Forester retained some of its previous charm with a beveled dashboard center 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, especially in the top Touring trim, which included heated outboard rear seats.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid pursued a conservative and familiar design, drawing inspiration from the popular RAV4. This resulted in a larger version of the RAV4 with seating for up to eight and impressive cargo space. The interior emphasized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. While the glossy hard plastic and unlined storage surfaces explained the base model's value, the controls were logically laid out. The climate system was simple to use, but the infotainment interface had a tiny volume knob and lacked a tuning knob, which could be frustrating for some users.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed flat four-cylinder engine, combined with a parallel hybrid system that produced 194 horsepower. The all-wheel-drive system used a traditional driveshaft, promising better traction and consistent reactions off-road. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission made it feel slower than it was, with the engine emitting a monotone groan at higher speeds. The hybrid system functioned smoothly, with seamless transitions between electricity and the engine. The ride quality was firmer than expected, but the Forester Hybrid excelled off-road with its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max focused on performance with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate quickly, with a traditional six-speed automatic transmission avoiding the droning common in CVTs. However, the Hybrid Max's fuel economy was lower, rated at 27 mpg compared to the regular hybrid's 36 mpg. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max offered a soft, isolating ride quality, but undulations in the road could cause vertical bounding and lateral rocking. Handling was secure, but the tires scrubbed and squealed early when pushed around curves.

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 plenty of legroom and headroom, with a panoramic sunroof enhancing the sense of openness. Storage was adequate, with a wireless charging pad, cup holders, and USB ports for rear passengers. The Forester Hybrid could hold up to 27.5 cubic feet of cargo, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for added convenience.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided comfortable seating in all three rows, with almost 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum-trim test vehicle featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery. The front and second-row seats had heating, ventilation, and supportive cushions. However, the rear doors were long and had sharp angles, making it challenging to buckle a child into a safety seat. The second-row captain's chairs offered a pass-through to the third row, which was reasonably comfortable for adults and tall teens. The Grand Highlander offered 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97.5 cubic feet with the second row folded.

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 Starlink infotainment system was praised for its large on-screen buttons and easy-to-navigate menus. The X-Mode off-road drive menu was accessible by swiping the top section of the screen, and external camera views were helpful for off-roading. Additional tech features included a WiFi hotspot and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system in higher trims.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Toyota Connected Services offered a variety of features, including a Wi-Fi hotspot and a digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was easy to use, but the inability to see two main-menu screens simultaneously and the low-contrast font were drawbacks. The Platinum test car included a color head-up display, a camera-based digital rear-view mirror, and a JBL premium audio 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 a Top Safety Pick, with "Good" ratings in most categories. 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. The systems functioned well, with the adaptive cruise control being particularly smooth.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive list of safety features and driver-assistance technologies. The Proactive Driving Assist system was found to be irritating and was often turned off. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.