2025 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Comparison Overview
Choosing between a traditional crossover like the 2025 Subaru Forester and the rugged new utility of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz, especially when prices are nearly identical around $30,000, can be tough. If your priority is maximizing fuel savings for the daily grind, the Forester pulls ahead easily, boasting a combined 29 MPG compared to the Santa Cruz's 25 MPG. However, the Santa Cruz offers slightly more punch with 191 horsepower versus the Forester's 180 hp, and it brings a unique truck bed versatility to the table. While the Forester is narrower at 72.0 inches, allowing for easier city parking, the Santa Cruz is significantly longer at 195.7 inches overall. Despite the difference in overall efficiency, both vehicles start with approachable MSRPs below $30,000, making the decision hinge heavily on whether you need AWD capability and slightly better mileage (Forester) or that unique, small truck utility (Santa Cruz).
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Subaru Forester
The 2025 Forester wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 29 combined MPG versus the Santa Cruz's 25 combined MPG.
2025 Subaru Forester
The Forester offers a more conventional and slightly smaller footprint (183.3 inches long) which often appeals more to traditional family hauling needs, complemented by standard AWD.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz appeals more to the enthusiast seeking utility, offering 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque along with its unique bed functionality.
2025 Subaru Forester
While similarly priced, the Forester delivers significantly better running costs through its 4 MPG advantage in overall efficiency.
Choose the Subaru Forester if...
- You frequently travel on highways and want better efficiency, aiming for the 33 MPG highway rating.
- Standard All-Wheel Drive is a non-negotiable requirement for your driving conditions.
- You prefer a slightly less imposing size in tight parking scenarios, given its 72.0-inch width.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...
- You prioritize having the slightly higher power output, delivering 191 horsepower.
- You can utilize the versatility of a truck bed, even if it means sacrificing some interior cargo space (29.6 cu ft in car1).
- You prefer the modern performance feel of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Subaru Forester | Hyundai Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.3" | 195.7" |
| Width | 72.0" | 75.0" |
| Height | 68.1" | 66.7" |
| Wheelbase | 105.1" | 118.3" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blind Spot Monitor | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | flat 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 180 hp @ 5800 rpm | 191 hp @ 6100 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm | 181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | Limited Slip | — |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 26/33 MPG | 22/30 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 29 MPG | 25 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 431.6/547.8 mi. | 389.4/531.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.6 gal. | 17.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | — |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Push Button Start | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 4 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Length | 4 months | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 1 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.2 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.3 in. | 41.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 57.7 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.7 in. | 54.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | — |
Rearseats
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.6 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.4 in. | 36.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.7 in. | 56.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.7 in. | 53.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.0 in | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/60R H | 245/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
Warranty
| Feature | Subaru | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Subaru Forester and 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
How much better is the fuel economy between the two vehicles?
The 2025 Subaru Forester is noticeably more efficient, achieving a combined 29 MPG compared to the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz's 25 combined MPG. This 4 MPG difference means lower annual fuel expenses with the Forester.
Does the Santa Cruz offer better performance specs than the Forester?
Yes, the Santa Cruz has a slight edge in power, delivering 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, besting the Forester's 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, the Santa Cruz uses an 8-speed automatic, while the Forester utilizes a CVT.
Which vehicle is easier to maneuver and park in the city?
The Subaru Forester is slightly easier to handle due to its physical dimensions, measuring 183.3 inches in length and 72.0 inches in width. The Santa Cruz is notably longer at 195.7 inches.
What is the main drivetrain difference affecting traction?
The Subaru Forester comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, providing excellent traction in adverse conditions. Conversely, the base 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes standard with Front Wheel Drive.
How do the cargo areas compare if I don't use the Santa Cruz's bed?
When comparing internal storage, the Forester offers 29.6 cubic feet of dedicated cargo space behind the rear seats. The Santa Cruz's internal crossover capacity is not explicitly detailed here, but the Forester offers a standard, measurable crossover cargo figure.
Are the starting prices similar enough to consider both good value?
They are very close, with the Santa Cruz starting slightly lower at $29,500 versus the Forester's $29,995 MSRP. However, the Forester offsets this $495 difference with significantly lower long-term running costs due to better MPG.
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