2026 Subaru Forester vs. 2026 Hyundai Tucson

Forester standardizes AWD across gas and hybrid trims; Tucson offers a wider gas-hybrid-plug-in spectrum with powertrain-specific drivetrain and towing rules. This comparison weighs AWD strategy, powertrain breadth, towing, safety detail, using each vehicle's own verified manufacturer and EPA-sourced facts instead of a single averaged rating. The Forester carries 6 mapped trim positions and 4 linked sources; the Tucson carries 7 and 4, so either side can be verified against its own primary record instead of taken on this page's summary alone. Configuration, not badge name, decides which one actually fits. Check the exact trim and powertrain before treating either vehicle's specification as settled.

Checked Aug. 17, 2026United States specifications8 linked sources

Decision fieldSubaru ForesterHyundai Tucson

Power180 / 194 hp187–268 hp

DrivetrainStandard AWDFWD / AWD

Trim map6 published positions7 published positions

Seating5Not published

Powertrain contextEngine: 2.5L boxer (gas) / hybrid system · Gas output: 180 hpEngine: 2.5L (gas) / hybrid / plug-in hybrid · Gas output: 187 hp

Towing contextMost Forester trims are rated for 1,500 pounds; Forester Wilderness is rated for 3,500 pounds.Hyundai lists 2,750 pounds with trailer brakes and 1,650 pounds without trailer brakes for the gas model.

Ranges and maximums describe family-level possibilities. Open each vehicle record before treating a number or feature as applicable to a particular trim.

What separates them

Four decisions that change the answer.

This comparison does not force a universal winner. It identifies the configuration question that matters for each use case.

AWD strategy

Every Forester is AWD. Tucson offers or standardizes HTRAC AWD depending on gas, hybrid or plug-in hybrid configuration.

Powertrain breadth

Forester uses gas and hybrid systems. Tucson adds a plug-in hybrid and spans 187 to 268 horsepower.

Towing

Forester Wilderness reaches 3,500 pounds; most Foresters are 1,500. Gas Tucson reaches 2,750 pounds with trailer brakes; electrified Tucson models are 2,000.

Safety detail

Both have strong current IIHS award context, but individual tests, headlights and applicability must still be read separately.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Subaru Forester: 4 records · Hyundai Tucson: 5 records.

Decision field	Subaru Forester	Hyundai Tucson
Exact EPA records	4	5
Model / option labels	4	5
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	2.5L 4-cyl SIDI, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI; Hybrid	1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; Hybrid, 1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; PHEV, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI
Transmissions	Automatic (AV-S6), Automatic (AV-S8)	Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (S8)
Fuel types	Regular	Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity
EPA classes	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Combined efficiency	26–35 MPG/MPGe	26–38 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	32 miles
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$1850–2500 per year	$1700–2500 per year

Head to head

Subaru Forester vs. Hyundai Tucson: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Subaru Forester	Hyundai Tucson
Starting price (KBB base)	$31,445	$31,050
Top trim price (KBB base)	$43,045	$42,525
Horsepower	180 hp	187 hp
Torque	178 lb-ft	178 lb-ft
Curb weight	3,510-3,675 lb	3,572-3,800 lb
Length	182.9-183.3 in	182.3 in
Wheelbase	104.9-105.1 in	108.5 in
Cargo volume	69.1-74.4 cu ft	80.3 cu ft
Towing capacity	3,500 lb	2,700 lb
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	3 years	5 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

The Hyundai Tucson starts $395 lower: $31,050 against $31,445 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Hyundai Tucson leads: 187 hp against 180 hp.
Both list the same peak torque: 178 lb-ft.
The Subaru Forester is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 3,510 lb against 3,572 lb.
On length, the Subaru Forester leads: 183.3 in against 182.3 in.
On wheelbase, the Hyundai Tucson leads: 108.5 in against 105.1 in.
On cargo volume, the Hyundai Tucson leads: 80.3 cu ft against 74.4 cu ft.
On maximum towing capacity, the Subaru Forester leads: 3,500 lb against 2,700 lb.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
On basic warranty, the Hyundai Tucson leads: 5 years against 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Subaru Forester and the Hyundai Tucson.

2026 Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is a compact crossover SUV that has been manufactured by Subaru since 1997. The first generation was built on the platform of the Impreza in the style of a taller station wagon, a style that continued to the second generation, while the third-generation model onwards moved towards a crossover SUV design. A performance model was available for the second-generation Forester in Japan as the Forester STi.

Awards: Car and Driver's 5Best Trucks 2004, 2005, 2006 Winner of Wheels Gold star cars award for best compact SUV 2008 Winner of Motor Trend magazine's Sport/Utility of the Year Award in 2009 Best Small Utility in MotorWeek's 2009 Driver's Choice Awards Winner of Motor Trend Magazine's SUV of the Year Award in 2014 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ Subaru Forester Claims Top Honours as AJAC's 2017 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year Winner of New Zealand Motoring Writers Guild Car of the Year Award in 2018

Source: Subaru Forester (Wikipedia)

Safety. MY03-04 Models has a 4-Star ANCAP safety rating. MY05 Forester Model had a mid-life update, which increased its ANCAP safety rating to 5 Stars. In 2006, the turbocharged engine (powering the Forester XT) was awarded International Engine of the Year.

Engines. The fifth-generation Forester was presented on March 28, 2018, at the New York International Auto Show. Like contemporary Subaru models, the fifth-generation model moved the Forester to the Subaru Global Platform. The new platform is said to provide greater handling capability, agility, ride comfort and crash protection.

NHTSA rated the 2025 Subaru Forester overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (7 campaigns across the latest model years)

July 2026, Equipment:Other:Labels. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply… Consequence: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
May 2026, Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. The sliding glass panel of the power moonroof assembly may have been improperly bonded to the sliding frame, allowing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle. Consequence: A detached glass panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
December 2025, Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect and/or incorrectly oriented rear hatch support bracket which can detach without prior warning. Consequence: A rear hatch support bracket that detaches can allow the rear hatch to fall unexpectedly during use and increase the risk of injury.

Owners filed 93 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Subaru Forester, most often about unknown or other (19), fuel/propulsion system (13), visibility/wiper (13).

2026 Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson is a compact crossover SUV produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai. It is named after the city of Tucson, Arizona, U.S. The second-generation model was marketed as the Hyundai ix35 in several markets, including Europe, Australia and China, before reverting to Tucson for the third-generation.

Source: Hyundai Tucson (Wikipedia)

Safety. There are dual-stage frontal impact airbags, torso side-impact airbags built into the front seats, and curtain airbags for side-impact protection for front and rear passengers. The 2009 Hyundai Tucson was rated by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Frontal Rating (Driver): Frontal Rating (Passenger): Side Rating (Driver): Side Rating (Passenger):

Powertrain. The Hyundai Tucson received accolades from Canadian Car of the Year Best New Crossover award for 2005. It was named as one of the most reliable vehicles from the 2009 Consumer Reports reliability survey.

NHTSA rated the 2025 Hyundai Tucson overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (12 campaigns across the latest model years)

June 2026, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle… Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
May 2026, Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Software in the front cameras may cause the forward collision avoidance system to activate prematurely and unexpectedly apply the brakes. Consequence: Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash.
April 2026, Air Bags:Sensor:Side Impact. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Elantra N, 2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), and Elantra vehicles. The B-pillar impact sensors may have been misassembled, which can delay air bag deployment. Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Owners filed 283 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Hyundai Tucson, most often about forward collision avoidance (148), electrical system (63), unknown or other (57).

Comparison answer desk

14 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 Subaru Forester or the 2026 Hyundai Tucson?

Efficiency

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (32 vs. the 2026 Subaru Forester's 30.5 MPG/MPGe).