2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Subaru Forester

The 2025 Subaru Forester underwent a noticeable visual transformation, focusing on a more streamlined and generic appearance. It featured standard roof rails and 17-inch alloy wheels, with higher trims offering larger wheels and distinctive accents. The Forester Sport, for instance, showcased bronze trim accents and 19-inch wheels, while the Touring trim boasted a low-profile roof rack and chrome badging. The interior saw improvements with the introduction of StarTex material in the Sport trim and genuine leather in the Limited and Touring trims. The cabin design was more intentional, with structural dash elements enhancing its aesthetic appeal.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe maintained its chunky, boxy design from its 2024 debut, with no major design revisions. It featured a long wheelbase, flat hood, and pixelated H-shaped LED headlamps, aligning with Hyundai's design aesthetic. The rear design, however, suffered from mismatched proportions, with taillights positioned lower than ideal. Each trim had specific wheel sizes, ranging from 18 to 21 inches, and the XRT trim added chrome and black trim for an off-road look. Inside, the Santa Fe offered seating for seven, with the Calligraphy trim providing captain’s chairs. The interior was well-finished, though some squeaks were noted, and it included physical dials for HVAC controls.

The 2025 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. It featured a Lineartonic CVT and standard Symmetrical AWD. The Forester's engine was quieter than previous models, though still noisy during acceleration. The X-Mode system, standard from the Premium trim, enhanced stability and traction on challenging terrain. The Forester Sport's performance was stable and confident on various surfaces, with seamless X-Mode activation. Fuel economy was rated at 26 mpg city, 33 highway, and 29 combined, with slight variations for Sport and Touring trims.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. It came with FWD or AWD, except for the XRT trim, which was AWD only. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission handled shifting. The Santa Fe felt stable in corners, though turbo lag and delayed downshifts were noted. The gear selector was unconventional, requiring a twist on a stalk. The XRT trim featured 30-inch all-terrain tires and 8.3 inches of ground clearance, improving off-road geometry. However, it wasn't suited for rugged terrain, performing best on graded dirt roads.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced a hands-free power liftgate, with power activation on the Sport trim and foot-activation on Limited. Cargo space increased slightly to 29.6 cubic feet with rear seats up and 74.4 cubic feet with them folded. The Forester offered a roomy second row, though cargo space was slightly less than some competitors. Interior features included a dark headliner, power-adjustable seats, and heated options on higher trims.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe's base SE trim was basic but included a hands-free liftgate and dual-zone climate control. The XRT trim added heated front seats and a sunroof, while the Calligraphy trim offered heated second-row seats and a premium audio system. The Santa Fe excelled in space, with the most third-row legroom in its class. Cargo space was 40.5 cubic feet with the second row folded and 79.6 cubic feet with both rows down. The rear opening was wider and taller, facilitating easy loading of large items. Most trims could tow 3,500 pounds, with the XRT capable of 4,500 pounds.

The 2025 Subaru Forester featured an 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment system, standard on all but the base trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base trim had two 7-inch touchscreens with wired smartphone projection. Higher trims offered additional USB ports, wireless charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Touring trim included a navigation system and Harman Kardon sound system, with options for Sport and Limited trims. Starlink connected services added new capabilities like Valet Mode and Remote Vehicle Configuration.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with a digital gauge cluster on top trims. The system was user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. Upper trims offered Amazon Music, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Hyundai Pay. Charging options included USB-C ports and wireless charging. A digital key feature allowed phone or watch access, and a fingerprint scanner was available. The Santa Fe offered a digital rearview mirror and head-up display on higher trims. Bluelink app connectivity provided remote vehicle management and over-the-air updates.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced Emergency Stop Assist, available on Touring trim, which engaged if the driver became unresponsive. Adaptive cruise control was standard, with EyeSight driver-assistance technology enhanced by a third camera. The Forester had not been crash-tested for 2025, but the 2024 model received high safety ratings.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added features like rear parking collision avoidance and Highway Drive Assist. The top trim included blind spot avoidance and Blind-View Monitor. The Santa Fe received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a Good rating from IIHS, with some exceptions.