2017 Hyundai Tucson vs Subaru Forester

What's the difference?

In 2015, Hyundai dropped a bomb in the medium SUV market with the all-new Tucson. Replacing the flawed but much-loved (and much-bought) ix35, the new Tucson arrived to market in a state preceding Hyundais weren't always in when launched - finished.

Not only was it finished, it was good. Very good. It looked great, had an excellent interior, appeared well-made and rode and handled like no Hyundai SUV before it. It also came with a few pieces of in-car technology that wouldn't be matched for almost 18 months by other makers. With a range stretching from $27,990 to $47,450, the Tucson covers a lot of bases for a lot of buyers in a rapidly growing market sector - the medium SUV.

The Subaru Forester has been a dependable, popular best-seller for the Japanese brand for over two decades. A boxy, practical machine, it's far less interested in the fashion for sleek-looking lifestyle SUVs and rather more keen on function.

Along with the Nissan X-Trail, it is by far the most capable off-roader in its class, but has proven itself comfortable and capable on road as well. It might be getting on a bit in years, but with a new Impreza and XV the priority for Subaru, the Forester continues to be a popular machine on Australian roads.