Subaru Forester Hybrid vs Toyota bZ

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid showcased a redesigned look that was more cohesive than 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. The rugged appearance, accentuated by black plastic elements, hinted at its off-road potential. Inside, the Forester Hybrid retained some of its previous charm with a beveled dashboard center 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, especially in the top Touring trim with ventilated seats.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, available in XLE and Limited trims, offered a choice between single-motor FWD and dual-motor AWD, with two battery sizes. The restyled bZ looked better with body-color trim, and the interior boasted a cleaner dashboard and center console, enhancing the sense of quality. The XLE’s fabric seats had an upscale pattern, and the 14-inch center touchscreen integrated climate control with large temperature dials and buttons for essential functions. However, the digital driver display was criticized for its placement and readability. The bZ's design improvements made it more appealing than its predecessor.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder engine paired with a parallel hybrid system, producing a combined 194 horsepower. Its AWD system, using a traditional driveshaft, promised better traction off-road. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission sometimes made it feel slower, especially at higher speeds. The hybrid system functioned smoothly, with seamless transitions between electric and engine power. The Forester Hybrid excelled off-road, thanks to its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control, offering a balanced performance for both urban and adventurous drivers.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered different power outputs depending on the configuration. The XLE FWD with the larger battery provided 224 horsepower and an EPA-rated range of 314 miles. Dual-motor models produced 338 horsepower, with varying ranges and efficiency ratings. The bZ could recharge quickly using a DC fast charger, and its efficiency tests showed favorable results compared to EPA estimates. However, the bZ lacked one-pedal driving capability, and its FWD configuration struggled with traction in certain situations. On the highway, it was a comfortable cruiser, but its handling on winding roads was less impressive due to the tires and steering feedback.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid offered excellent forward visibility, thanks to thinner front roof pillars. The cabin felt open and airy, with ample space for front and rear passengers. The rear seats provided generous legroom and headroom, enhanced by a panoramic sunroof. Storage options included a wireless charging pad, cup holders, and door pockets. The Forester Hybrid had 27.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for convenience.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on an EV platform, featured easy entry and exit with 8.1 inches of ground clearance. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, with heated and ventilated options in the Limited trim. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with ample storage solutions, including a large bin under the center armrest. Rear passengers enjoyed good legroom, though foot space was tight. The bZ offered 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space, with an underfloor storage well and a power rear liftgate.

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 user-friendly interface and large on-screen buttons. The X-Mode off-road drive menu and external camera views enhanced the driving experience. Higher trims included a Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The 2026 Toyota bZ featured a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While the driver display was criticized for its placement and readability, the infotainment system was generally easy to use. However, it lacked a home screen for simultaneous data display and had low-contrast colors in daytime mode. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with various connected service plans available. The voice assistant worked well, enhancing the overall tech experience.

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 collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The systems functioned smoothly, with customizable alerts for lane-keep assist.

The 2026 Toyota bZ featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist added subtle braking and steering inputs. The Limited trim offered additional features like Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park Assist. However, the adaptive cruise control's response was inconsistent, and the driver monitoring system was overly sensitive. The bZ received mixed safety ratings from the IIHS, with room for improvement.