Subaru Forester vs Lexus RX Hybrid

2025 Subaru Forester
2025 Subaru Forester
$29,810MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Lexus RX Hybrid
2023 Lexus RX Hybrid
$49,400MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2025 Subaru Forester
$29,810MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Lexus RX Hybrid
$49,400MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

Years produced

1998-Present

Years produced

2006-2008

MSRP

$29,810

MSRP

$49,400

Average price

$20,631

Average price

$55,305

Listings

1238

Listings

467

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.8 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.5 out of 10
Pros
  • Impressive noise reduction compared to its predecessor
  • Standard all-wheel drive
  • Confident handling in adverse conditions
Cons
  • Generic styling
  • Dated infotainment graphics
  • No hybrid options available
Pros
  • RX 350h trims are fuel efficient
  • RX 500h trims are fun to drive
  • Impressive technology
Cons
  • RX 500h delivers poor fuel economy
  • Not much cargo space
  • Poor head-up display integration

Reviews Summary

The Forester is one of Subaru's top sellers and one of the more popular compact crossovers in its segment as well, so it's hard to blame the automaker for not wanting to mess with a working formula. They seem to have focused more on refining an already popular car than creating a new car. In fact, the most obvious updates are to the vehicle's looks, which many would argue are inconsequential—but that's not a criticism.

Verdict: The 2025 Subaru Forester improves on the outgoing version with a better-equipped base model, more advanced tech and safety offerings, and a blessedly quieter cabin. If it's not the most beautiful crossover we've ever seen, well, at least that's authentic to the Forester brand.

Reviews Summary

Since the redesigned 2023 Lexus RX mid-size crossover went on sale toward the end of 2022, the automaker has filled out its electrified line-up with three hybrid models: the RX 350h, RX 450h+ PHEV, and the RX 500h F Sport Performance. Based on time spent driving two of these three new 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid models, we expect them to at least double, if not triple, the previous-generation RX 450h’s share of sales.

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.5L 180 hp H4

Engine

2.5L 246 hp I4 Hybrid

Drive Train

AWD

Drive Train

AWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

Horsepower

246 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG City

26

MPG City

37

MPG Highway

33

MPG Highway

34
2025 Subaru Forester
2025 Subaru Forester
$29,810MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Lexus RX Hybrid
2023 Lexus RX Hybrid
$49,400MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2025 Subaru Forester
$29,810MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Lexus RX Hybrid
$49,400MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

Years produced
1998-Present
2006-2008
MSRP
$29,810
$49,400
Average price
$20,631
$55,305
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews
4.4
4.5
Expert reviews

7.8 out of 10

Read full review

7.5 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Impressive noise reduction compared to its predecessor
  • Standard all-wheel drive
  • Confident handling in adverse conditions
Cons
  • Generic styling
  • Dated infotainment graphics
  • No hybrid options available
Pros
  • RX 350h trims are fuel efficient
  • RX 500h trims are fun to drive
  • Impressive technology
Cons
  • RX 500h delivers poor fuel economy
  • Not much cargo space
  • Poor head-up display integration
Summary

The Forester is one of Subaru's top sellers and one of the more popular compact crossovers in its segment as well, so it's hard to blame the automaker for not wanting to mess with a working formula. They seem to have focused more on refining an already popular car than creating a new car. In fact, the most obvious updates are to the vehicle's looks, which many would argue are inconsequential—but that's not a criticism.

Verdict: The 2025 Subaru Forester improves on the outgoing version with a better-equipped base model, more advanced tech and safety offerings, and a blessedly quieter cabin. If it's not the most beautiful crossover we've ever seen, well, at least that's authentic to the Forester brand.

Since the redesigned 2023 Lexus RX mid-size crossover went on sale toward the end of 2022, the automaker has filled out its electrified line-up with three hybrid models: the RX 350h, RX 450h+ PHEV, and the RX 500h F Sport Performance. Based on time spent driving two of these three new 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid models, we expect them to at least double, if not triple, the previous-generation RX 450h’s share of sales.
Video

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
2.5L 180 hp H4
2.5L 246 hp I4 Hybrid
Drive Train
AWD
AWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
246 hp @ 6000 rpm
MPG City
26
37
MPG Highway
33
34
CarGurus logo

By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

Popular vehicle comparisons

2024 Acura MDX vs 2024 Subaru Forester2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2024 Subaru Forester2024 Volvo XC90 vs 2024 Subaru Forester2024 Buick Enclave vs 2024 Subaru Forester2023 Acura MDX vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid2023 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid2023 Subaru Forester vs 2024 Nissan Rogue2023 Volvo XC90 vs 2024 Subaru Forester2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2024 Subaru Forester2023 Acura MDX vs 2024 Lexus RX Hybrid2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2024 Subaru Forester2023 Lexus GX vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid2023 Acura MDX vs 2024 Subaru Forester2023 Subaru Forester vs 2024 Volvo XC902023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Subaru Forester2023 Subaru Forester vs 2024 Buick Enclave2023 Lexus GX vs 2024 Subaru Forester2023 Lexus GX vs 2023 Subaru Forester2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2024 Lexus RX Hybrid2023 Subaru Forester vs 2024 Acura MDX2023 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Chrysler Pacifica2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Nissan Rogue2022 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2023 Nissan Rogue2022 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Toyota Sienna2022 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2023 Volvo XC902022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Volvo XC902022 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2022 Subaru Forester2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Subaru Forester2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Ford Bronco Sport2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Chrysler Pacifica2022 Lincoln Aviator vs 2022 Lexus RX Hybrid2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Subaru Forester2022 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2023 Acura MDX2022 Acura MDX vs 2023 Subaru Forester2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport2021 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Lexus GX2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Subaru Forester2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Subaru Forester2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vs 2022 Subaru Forester2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Lexus RX Hybrid2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Lexus RX Hybrid2021 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Nissan Rogue2021 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid2021 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L2021 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2022 Subaru Forester2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Subaru Forester2021 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Chrysler Pacifica2021 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2022 Lexus RX Hybrid2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Lexus RX Hybrid2021 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L2021 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Acura MDX2021 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport2020 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport2020 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator2020 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport2020 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Volvo XC902020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vs 2021 Lexus RX Hybrid2020 Buick Enclave vs 2021 Subaru Forester2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Lexus RX Hybrid2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Subaru Forester2020 Subaru Forester vs 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Lexus RX Hybrid2020 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2021 Toyota Sienna2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Lexus RX Hybrid2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vs 2020 Lexus RX Hybrid2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2020 Lexus RX Hybrid2020 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2021 Honda Odyssey2020 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Lexus RX Hybrid2020 Subaru Forester vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator