2025 Subaru Forester vs. 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Review

Picture of the 2025 Subaru Forester

2025 Subaru
Forester

MSRP*: $29,995 to $41,595
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Picture of the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

2025 Toyota
Grand Highlander Hybrid

MSRP*: $44,210 to $58,775
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MPG - City 25 - 26 MPG 26 - 37 MPG
MPG - Hwy 28 - 33 MPG 27 - 34 MPG
Seating Capacity 5 seats 7 - 8 seats
Cargo Space 69.1 - 74.4 ft3 97.5 ft3
Engine
  • 180-hp, 2.5-liter, 4 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline Fuel)
  • 182-hp, 2.5-liter, 4 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline Fuel)
  • 245-hp, 2.5-liter, 4 Cylinder Engine (Gas/Electric Hybrid)
  • 362-hp, 2.4-liter, 4 Cylinder Engine (Gas/Electric Hybrid)
Transmission Continuously Variable Automatic, Continuously Variable
Drivetrain All Wheel Drive All Wheel Drive, Front Wheel Drive
Horsepower 180 - 182 hp 245 - 362 hp
Towing Capacity 1,500 - 3,000 lbs 3,500 - 5,000 lbs
Exterior Length 182.7 - 183.3 in 201.4 in
Exterior Width 72.0 - 72.2 in 78.3 in
Leg Room Front 43.3 in
Rear 39.4 in
Front 41.7 in
Rear 39.5 in
Head Room Front 40.0 - 41.2 in
Rear 37.6 - 39.6 in
Front 40.0 - 41.5 in
Rear 38.5 - 40.2 in

*MSRP and Invoice prices displayed are for educational purposes only, do not reflect the actual selling price of a particular vehicle, and do not include applicable gas taxes or destination charges.

Comparison Review

Comfort
Passengers in the backseat will be able to stretch out a lot more in the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid than in the Subaru Forester, due to its greater head- and legroom. As far as headroom and legroom go, there's not much difference between front seat comfort in the Subaru Forester and the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid.

Convenience
You'll be making about the same number of stops at the gas station with the Subaru Forester as you will with the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, as they are both able to travel similar distances on a tank of gas.

Cost
There are a lot of factors to consider when calculating the overall cost of a vehicle. The main consideration is Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). Clearly, the Subaru Forester is a better financial choice over the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, when considering MSRP.

Dimensions
Since the Subaru Forester is much slimmer than the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, it'll be much easier to find a wide enough space in a crowded parking lot. If you go with the Subaru Forester, you'll have a much easier time finding a large enough space to park than you will with the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid.

Handling
The Subaru Forester has a smaller turning radius than the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, allowing you to more easily maneuver in and out of tight spots.

Performance
In terms of towing capacity, the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is clearly the choice over the Subaru Forester for pulling heavy loads. When it comes to horsepower, the Subaru Forester has a lot less horsepower than the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid.

Powertrain
With similar torque, the Subaru Forester and the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid are about even in transmitting their respective horsepower to the wheels.

Utility
Soccer Moms beware - the Subaru Forester seats a lot fewer people than the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid. The Subaru Forester has significantly less cargo capacity than the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid.