DecodedCarsHyundai Santa Cruz vs Subaru Forester
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2026 Subaru Forester — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.
The short version
The Subaru Forester is more fuel-efficient: 35 vs 25 MPG combined in its best version.
That works out to about $800 a year less in fuel for the Subaru Forester (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).
Across all model years since 2005, the Hyundai Santa Cruz has had fewer recall campaigns (9 vs 39).
The two cars
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 30 highway), 17% worse than the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,700 a year in fuel.
The 2026 Subaru Forester is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 184 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,580 lb.
Buying used? The 2024 Santa Cruz and the 2024 Forester have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2022 Santa Cruz and the 2019 Forester.
Basics
Efficiency
Performance & space
Safety & reliability
Interest
Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if…
- You put reliability history first (9 vs 39 recalls since 2005)
Choose the Subaru Forester if…
- You want lower fuel bills (35 vs 25 MPG)
- You want a hybrid or electric option
Pros & cons of each
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 25 MPG combined, 17% below the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG.
2026 Subaru Forester
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 35 MPG combined — 35% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
- "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.
Full 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz specs →Full 2026 Subaru Forester specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →