Compare the2025 Subaru ForesterVS 2025 Hyundai Venue

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Forester have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Hyundai Venue doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Forester are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Hyundai Venue doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Subaru Forester has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Venue doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Forester has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Venue doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Subaru Forester achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Hyundai Venue has not been tested.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Forester (except Base/Premium) offers optional Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Venue doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Forester has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Venue doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Forester Touring has a standard 360-Degree Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Venue only offers a rear monitor.

Both the Forester and the Venue have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Subaru Forester weighs 772 to 1052 pounds more than the Hyundai Venue. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

The Subaru Forester ((except Wilderness)) achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Venue is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Forester has a standard 130-amp alternator. The Venue’s 110-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Forester has a standard 620-amp battery. The Venue’s 410-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Forester’s reliability 48 points higher than the Venue.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 10th.

Engine

The Forester’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 59 more horsepower (180 vs. 121) and 65 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 113) than the Venue’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Subaru Forester is faster than the Hyundai Venue:

	Forester	Venue
Zero to 60 MPH	8.7 sec	9.4 sec
Quarter Mile	16.7 sec	17.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85.1 MPH	80.7 MPH

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Forester lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Venue doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Forester’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Venue doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Forester has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Venue (16.6 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Forester’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Venue:

	Forester	Venue
Front Rotors	12.4 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	8” drums
Opt Rear Rotors		10.3 inches

The Forester’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Venue SEL/Limited are solid, not vented.

The Subaru Forester has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Rear drums are standard on the Venue. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The Forester stops shorter than the Venue:

	Forester	Venue
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Forester has larger standard tires than the Venue (225/60R17 vs. 185/65R15). The Forester Sport/Touring’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Venue (235/50R19 vs. 205/55R17).

The Forester’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Venue’s standard 65 series tires. The Forester Sport/Touring’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Venue SEL/Limited’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Forester has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the Venue. The Forester Sport/Touring’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the Venue SEL/Limited.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Forester has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Hyundai Venue has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Forester has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Forester flat and controlled during cornering. The Venue’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Forester’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the Venue (105.1 inches vs. 99.2 inches).

The Forester’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the Venue’s (60% to 40%). This gives the Forester more stable handling and braking.

The Forester Sport handles at .82 G’s, while the Venue Limited pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Forester Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Venue Limited (27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Forester has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Venue (8.7 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Forester to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Forester uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Venue doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Forester has 18.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Venue (110.8 vs. 91.9).

The Forester has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front legroom, 2.6 inches more front hip room, 3.8 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 5.1 inches more rear legroom, 10.2 inches more rear hip room and 3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Venue.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Forester Premium/Sport/Limited/Touring’s rear seats recline. The Venue’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Venue with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 18.7 cubic feet). The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Venue with its rear seat folded (74.4 vs. 31.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Forester easier. The Forester’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.9 inches, while the Venue’s liftover is 30 inches.

The Forester’s cargo area is larger than the Venue’s in every dimension:

	Forester	Venue
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36.5”/70.7”	25.4”/57”
Max Width	51.2”	47.5”
Min Width	43.3”	42.5”
Height	34.9”	28”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Forester Limited/Touring’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Venue doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Forester’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Venue doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The Forester has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Venue has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Forester uses the Vehicle Dynamics Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Venue doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Forester is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Venue. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 66% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 30th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Forester Touring, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle and climate settings. The Venue doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Forester Touring’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Venue doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Forester’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Venue has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Forester’s standard driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the switch, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Venue’s standard power window’s switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully. The Forester Premium/Sport/Limited/Touring’s front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and its driver’s window also automatically closes. With the Venue SEL/Limited’s power windows, only the driver’s window opens or closes automatically.

The Forester’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Venue’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Forester’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Venue’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Forester’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Venue’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Forester has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Venue doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Forester to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Venue doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Forester Touring is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Venue’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Forester’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Venue offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Forester and the Venue offer available heated front seats. The Forester Touring also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Venue.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Forester Touring keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Venue doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Forester Limited/Touring’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Venue doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Forester Premium/Sport/Limited/Touring has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Venue doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Forester’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Venue doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Forester and the Venue offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Forester Premium/Sport/Limited/Touring has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Venue doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Forester has a standard Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Venue doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Compared to the Hyundai Venue, the Subaru Forester eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Forester as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Forester outsold the Hyundai Venue by almost seven to one during 2024.

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