CARVSLABFeel the physics before you buy

Matchup

Subaru Forester vs Hyundai Tucson

The 2026 Forester Sport against the 2026 Tucson SEL AWD, through ten physics labs and every official rating we could find.

Last checked Oct 24, 2026. Every figure links to its source.

Open this matchup in the 3D lab

2026 Subaru Forester2026 Hyundai Tucson

The short answer

  • The Forester stops from 70 mph in 172 ft, 6 ft shorter than the Tucson (178 ft). TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver
  • The Tucson has 11.2 cu ft more cargo space behind its second row: 38.7 cu ft against 27.5 cu ft. PublishedSubaruPublishedHyundai
  • The Tucson is rated to tow 1,250 lb more: 2,750 lb against 1,500 lb. PublishedSubaruPublishedHyundai
  • On low beams, the fastest you can drive the Forester and still stop inside the lit road is 79 mph; in the Tucson it’s 67 mph (dry road, 1.5-second reaction). Simulatedfrom IIHSSimulatedfrom IIHS

At a glance

ForesterTucson
Starting price, this trim$36,245PublishedSubaru$34,150PublishedHyundai
Powertrain2.5 L flat-four (boxer), naturally aspirated · Symmetrical AWD2.5 L four-cylinder, direct and port injection, 13.0:1 compression · HTRAC AWD (electronically controlled rear coupling)
0–60 mph, tested or claimed8.3 sTestedCar and Driver8.8 sTestedCar and Driver
Braking 70–0 mph, tested172 ft (52.4 m)TestedCar and Driver178 ft (54.3 m)TestedCar and Driver
EPA combined28 mpg (8.4 L/100 km)PublishedEPA26 mpg (9.0 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Cargo behind the second row27.5 cu ft (779 L)PublishedSubaru38.7 cu ft (1,096 L)PublishedHyundai
Large suitcases, packed6Simulatedfrom Subaru6Simulatedfrom Hyundai
Seats5PublishedSubaru5PublishedHyundai
Crash ratingsNHTSA 5★ overall · IIHS Top Safety Pick+IIHS crash tests G/G/G

Acceleration

The Forester gets to 60 mph 0.5 s sooner: 8.3 s against 8.8 s.

ForesterTucson
Power180 hp (134 kW)PublishedSubaru187 hp (139 kW)PublishedHyundai
Torque178 lb-ft (241 Nm)PublishedSubaru178 lb-ft (241 Nm)PublishedHyundai
0–60 mph, tested or claimed8.3 sTestedCar and Driver8.8 sTestedCar and Driver
0–60 mph, our simulation8.3 sSimulatedfrom Subaru8.8 sSimulatedfrom Car and Driver
Passing, 50–70 mph6.4 sTestedCar and Driver6.0 sTestedCar and Driver
Quarter mile16.6 sTestedCar and Driver16.7 sTestedCar and Driver
Watch it in The Shove

Braking and stopping distance

The Forester stops from 70 mph in 172 ft, 6 ft shorter than the Tucson (178 ft).

ForesterTucson
Braking 70–0 mph, tested172 ft (52.4 m)TestedCar and Driver178 ft (54.3 m)TestedCar and Driver
Braking 60–0 mph, tested123 ft (37.5 m)TestedMotorTrend120 ft (36.6 m)TestedMotorTrend
Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction357 ft (108.9 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver367 ft (111.7 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver
Dry road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction275 ft (83.7 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver281 ft (85.6 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver
Packed snow from 30 mph, 1 s reaction166 ft (50.5 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver170 ft (51.8 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver
Watch it in The Stop

Rollover

No meaningful gap between the Forester and the Tucson on what we can measure here.

ForesterTucson
NHTSA rollover rating4★ · 17.4% riskTestedNHTSAno data
Sideways slide that trips it into a roll11 mph (18 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputsfrom NHTSA11 mph (18 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputsfrom NHTSA
Static stability factor (half-track ÷ CoG height)1.21Simulated, estimated inputsfrom NHTSA1.22Simulated, estimated inputsfrom NHTSA
Watch it in The Tipping Point

Efficiency and running costs

At 15,000 miles a year and national average prices, the Forester costs about $184 a year less to run: $2,399/yr against $2,583/yr.

ForesterTucson
EPA combined28 mpg (8.4 L/100 km)PublishedEPA26 mpg (9.0 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year$2,399/yrDerivedEPA$2,583/yrDerivedEPA
Steady 75 mph, our simulation31 mpg (7.6 L/100 km)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver26 mpg (9.1 L/100 km)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver
Drag coefficient0.35DerivedEPA0.33PublishedHyundai
Watch it in The Invisible Wall

Grip, snow and maneuvering

The Forester turns in a 3.2 ft tighter circle: 35.4 ft against 38.6 ft.

ForesterTucson
Skidpad grip, tested0.82 gTestedCar and Driver0.83 gTestedCar and Driver
Cornering grip, our simulation0.82 gSimulatedfrom Car and Driver0.83 gSimulatedfrom Car and Driver
Pulling away on packed snow0.27 gSimulatedfrom Car and Driver0.25 gSimulatedfrom Car and Driver
Turning circle35.4 ft (10.8 m)PublishedSubaru38.6 ft (11.8 m)PublishedHyundai
Ground clearance8.7 in (22 cm)PublishedSubaru8.3 in (21 cm)PublishedHyundai
TiresBridgestone Turanza EL450 235/50R19 99V M+S all-season · 235/50R19TestedCar and Driver235/60R18 all-season · 235/60R18PublishedHyundai
Watch it in The Grip Budget

Space, luggage and fit

The Tucson has 11.2 cu ft more cargo space behind its second row: 38.7 cu ft against 27.5 cu ft.

ForesterTucson
Seats5PublishedSubaru5PublishedHyundai
Large suitcases, packed6Simulatedfrom Subaru6Simulatedfrom Hyundai
Carry-ons in the space left0Simulatedfrom Subaru4Simulatedfrom Hyundai
Cargo behind the second row27.5 cu ft (779 L)PublishedSubaru38.7 cu ft (1,096 L)PublishedHyundai
Cargo, seats folded69.1 cu ft (1,957 L)PublishedSubaru74.8 cu ft (2,118 L)PublishedHyundai
Towing1,500 lb (680 kg)PublishedSubaru2,750 lb (1,247 kg)PublishedHyundai
Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver+1.4 in (4 cm)Simulatedfrom Subaru+1.9 in (5 cm)Simulatedfrom Hyundai
Driver head room, 5 ft 11 in driver+3.7 in (9 cm)Simulatedfrom Subaru+4.2 in (11 cm)Simulatedfrom Hyundai
Driver head room, 5 ft 4 in driver+6.5 in (16 cm)Simulatedfrom Subaru+7.2 in (18 cm)Simulatedfrom Hyundai
Rear head room, 5 ft 11 in passenger+2.1 in (5 cm)Simulatedfrom Subaru+2.5 in (6 cm)Simulatedfrom Hyundai
Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in+3.3 in (8 cm)Simulatedfrom Subaru+4.8 in (12 cm)Simulatedfrom Hyundai
Rear head and knee, 6 ft 4 in behind 6 ft 4 in−0.5 in head · −1.0 in kneeSimulatedfrom Subaru−0.1 in head · +0.5 in kneeSimulatedfrom Hyundai
Front head room, published40.0 in (102 cm)PublishedSubaru40.1 in (102 cm)PublishedHyundai
Rear head room, published37.7 in (96 cm)PublishedSubaru39.5 in (100 cm)PublishedHyundai
Rear leg room, published39.4 in (100 cm)PublishedSubaru41.3 in (105 cm)PublishedHyundai
Watch it in Live In It

Cabin noise

No meaningful gap between the Forester and the Tucson on what we can measure here.

ForesterTucson
Cabin sound at 70 mph68 dBATestedCar and Driverno data
Watch it in The Quiet Test

Visibility

Drivers see 43% of the ground within 33 ft of the Forester’s nose and 37% in the Tucson.

ForesterTucson
Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver21 ft (6.4 m)Simulated22 ft (6.8 m)Simulated
Ground visible within 33 ft ahead43%Simulated37%Simulated
Watch it in Can You See Me?

Headlights and night stopping

On low beams, the fastest you can drive the Forester and still stop inside the lit road is 79 mph; in the Tucson it’s 67 mph (dry road, 1.5-second reaction).

ForesterTucson
IIHS headlight ratingGoodTestedIIHSAcceptableTestedIIHS
Low beams, straight road (right edge)395 ft (120.3 m)TestedIIHS314 ft (95.8 m)TestedIIHS
Fastest you can stop inside the low beams79 mph (128 km/h)Simulatedfrom IIHS67 mph (109 km/h)Simulatedfrom IIHS
High beams, straight road (right edge)449 ft (136.9 m)TestedIIHS600 ft (183.0 m)TestedIIHS
Watch it in After Dark

Crash safety

No meaningful gap between the Forester and the Tucson on what we can measure here.

ForesterTucson
NHTSA overall5★TestedNHTSAno data
IIHS small overlap frontGoodTestedIIHSGoodTestedIIHS
IIHS moderate overlap front (updated)GoodTestedIIHSGoodTestedIIHS
IIHS side (updated)GoodTestedIIHSGoodTestedIIHS
IIHS award2026 Top Safety Pick+PublishedIIHSno data
Curb weight3,656 lb (1,658 kg)TestedCar and Driver3,695 lb (1,676 kg)TestedCar and Driver
Watch it in The Impact

Where each one wins

Subaru Forester

  • The Forester stops from 70 mph in 172 ft, 6 ft shorter than the Tucson (178 ft). TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver
  • On low beams, the fastest you can drive the Forester and still stop inside the lit road is 79 mph; in the Tucson it’s 67 mph (dry road, 1.5-second reaction). Simulatedfrom IIHSSimulatedfrom IIHS
  • IIHS measured the Forester’s low beams lighting the road 81 ft farther on a straightaway: 395 ft against 314 ft. TestedIIHSTestedIIHS
  • The Forester gets to 60 mph 0.5 s sooner: 8.3 s against 8.8 s. TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver
  • At 15,000 miles a year and national average prices, the Forester costs about $184 a year less to run: $2,399/yr against $2,583/yr. DerivedEPADerivedEPA
  • The Forester turns in a 3.2 ft tighter circle: 35.4 ft against 38.6 ft. PublishedSubaruPublishedHyundai
  • The Forester is rated 28 mpg combined by the EPA, 2 mpg better than the Tucson (26 mpg). PublishedEPAPublishedEPA
  • IIHS rates the Forester’s headlights Good and the Tucson’s Acceptable. TestedIIHSTestedIIHS
  • Drivers see 43% of the ground within 33 ft of the Forester’s nose and 37% in the Tucson. Simulated

Hyundai Tucson

  • The Tucson has 11.2 cu ft more cargo space behind its second row: 38.7 cu ft against 27.5 cu ft. PublishedSubaruPublishedHyundai
  • The Tucson is rated to tow 1,250 lb more: 2,750 lb against 1,500 lb. PublishedSubaruPublishedHyundai
  • In the trims shown, the Tucson costs $2,095 less: $34,150 against $36,245 for the Forester, destination included. PublishedSubaruPublishedHyundai
  • Behind a 5-ft-11 driver, a 5-ft-11 passenger gets +4.8 in of knee room in the Tucson and +3.3 in in the Forester. Simulatedfrom SubaruSimulatedfrom Hyundai
  • Passing from 50 to 70 mph takes 6.0 s in the Tucson and 6.4 s in the Forester. TestedCar and DriverTestedCar and Driver

Weigh them by what matters to you in the lab’s verdict

Other trims

Keep comparing

Sources

  1. Car and Driver: Tested: 2025 Subaru Forester Sport (2024-05)
  2. Car and Driver: Tested: 2022 Hyundai Tucson 2.5L Is Dazzling but Slow (Limited AWD) (2021-06)
  3. Subaru of America: 2026 Forester specifications (dimensions, weights, engines, brakes, interior, cargo) (2025-03)
  4. Hyundai Motor America: 2026 Tucson features & specs (trims, MSRP, weights, interior, cargo) (2026-10)
  5. IIHS: 2026 Subaru Forester ratings (moderate overlap applies to 2026 only; other crash tests to 2025–26) (2026-10)
  6. IIHS: 2026 Hyundai Tucson ratings (crash tests apply to 2022–26; headlights to 2025–26) (2026-10)
  7. Subaru of America: 2026 Forester pricing (Sport $34,795, Touring Hybrid $41,545; $1,450 destination) (2026-10)
  8. US EPA (fueleconomy.gov): 2026 Subaru Forester AWD (id 49532) and Forester Hybrid AWD (id 50131) ratings (2026-10)
  9. US EPA (fueleconomy.gov): 2026 Hyundai Tucson AWD (id 49500) and Tucson Hybrid AWD (id 49498) ratings (2026-10)
  10. MotorTrend: 2025 Subaru Forester Sport first test (2024-07)
  11. MotorTrend: 2025 Hyundai Tucson XRT First Test (HTRAC AWD) (2025-01)
  12. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings: 2026 Subaru Forester SUV AWD (VehicleId 21696) (2026-10)
  13. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings: 2025 Hyundai Tucson SUV AWD (VehicleId 20563): 17.4% rollover risk (2026-10)
  14. Car and Driver: 2026 Hyundai Tucson review (Tucson XRT 75-mph highway test) (2026-10)
  15. US EPA: Data on cars used for testing fuel economy, MY2026 (Forester coastdown target coefficients) (2026-01)
  16. Hyundai Motor America Newsroom: 2025 Tucson specifications and features (track by wheel size, Cd 0.33) (2024-12)
  17. Car and Driver: 2025 Subaru Forester Sport long-term test (new and 40,000-mile results) (2026-09)
  18. IIHS: IIHS pushes improvements in crash avoidance with 2026 awards (Mar 24, 2026) (2026-03)

Badges: Published figures come from the maker, a regulator or a rating agency; Tested from an independent instrumented test; Simulated are computed by our physics from those inputs (how); Estimate means no published value exists. Confirm figures with the maker or your dealer before you buy.