Compact SUVs are the bread-and-butter vehicles for today’s automakers, and drivers’ appetites for them are only growing. There are more than a dozen to choose from, but two of the most distinctive are the Subaru Forester and Hyundai Tucson.
Both nameplates have been around for many years, but the latest models boast cutting-edge technology, tons of safety features, and all the practicality that today’s buyers are looking for. These two rivals also bring their own distinct set of skills and traits.
Here’s how the Subaru Forester and Hyundai Tucson stack up.
2025 Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is all-new for 2025, bringing the latest features yet retaining all the Subaru-ness its loyalists love. As with all Subaru SUVs, the Forester comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) and ample ground clearance. Those two aspects alone tell you that the Forester is meant for more than mall crawling. Yes, it will faithfully serve as a weekday commuter, but when the weekend calls, this adventurous SUV is ready for the wild. Pricing starts at $31,115, including the destination fee.
Subaru Forester Highlights
Symmetrical all-wheel drive: Power routed to all four wheels instead of just the front means enhanced traction. And all-wheel drive isn’t just handy for off-pavement adventures. If you regularly contend with snow or slick roads, all-wheel drive grants better handling and assurance.
EyeSight safety features: Standard on every 2025 Forester, this active safety and driver assistance suite bundles features such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, and a rear-seat reminder.
Adventure-minded: A Subaru Forester isn’t your ordinary, commuter-focused SUV. The Subaru brand and adventure are intertwined. These vehicles are built to get you beyond the reach of the hustle and bustle, and the Forester is an excellent means for doing so.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Forester models for sale near you.
2025 Hyundai Tucson
Over the years, the Hyundai Tucson has evolved from a simple SUV to a sophisticated hauler that will surprise and delight you with what it has to offer. Some of its features are unique to it, too. For example, with its refresh for the 2025 model year, the Forester gains a special function that new parents might love. Read about that below. Pricing starts at $30,000, including the destination charge.
Hyundai Tucson Highlights
Baby mode: Have you ever worried about waking your little bundle of joy by a too-sudden tap on the accelerator? Tucson’s Baby mode, new for 2025, helps alleviate that with a gentler response. We think this would also benefit dog owners, and as far as we know, the Tucson is the only vehicle with this feature.
Class-leading warranty: The Subaru may come with all-wheel drive standard (it’s optional on the Tucson), but the Hyundai touts an unbeatable warranty of five years/60,000 miles bumper to bumper and 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain.
Choice of powertrains: Besides a standard gasoline engine, the Tucson is available as a hybrid that earns up to 38 mpg combined or as a plug-in hybrid that can travel 33 miles on electricity alone.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Tucson models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Subaru Forester and Hyundai Tucson are practical 5-passenger compact SUVs with the latest technology and safety systems. They both use a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine with roughly equal horsepower.
Conclusion
While these two SUVs reside in the same class, they have quite different attitudes. You can think of the Subaru Forester as the more rugged, adventurous one. At the same time, the Hyundai Tucson brings more sophisticated styling and technology, not to mention the choice of hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Both are excellent choices in the compact SUV set. The right one for you comes down to identifying which better matches your personality and needs.
New 2025 Subaru Forester Prices
New 2025 Hyundai Tucson Prices
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors.
The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Subaru Forester vehicles and New 2025 Hyundai Tucson vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership.
These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Subaru Forester | 2025 Hyundai Tucson | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 180 hp @ 5,800 rpm | 187 hp @ 6,100 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 3,700 rpm | 178 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 26 city/33 highway/29 combined | 25 city/33 highway/28 combined |
| Also Available | AWD; hybrid; plug-in hybrid | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | TBA | TBA |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 inches | 108.5 inches |
| Overall Length | 183.3 inches | 182.7 inches |
| Width | 72.0 inches | 73.4 inches |
| Height | 68.1 inches | 65.6 inches |
| Turning Diameter | TBA | 38.6 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 41.2 inches | 40.1 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.6 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 43.3 inches | 41.4 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 39.4 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.7 inches | 57.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 56.7 inches | 56.0 inches |
| Cargo Volume rear seats up/down | 29.6/74.4 cubic feet | 38.7/74.8 cubic feet |