Crosstrek vs forester: ultimate guide to choosing the perfect subaru for your needs

The Subaru Crosstrek and Forester are two of the most popular compact SUVs on the market, and for good reason. Both vehicles offer a combination of rugged capability, versatility, and affordability that makes them ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.

But which one is right for you? To help you make a decision, we’ve put together this comprehensive comparison of the Subaru Crosstrek vs. Forester. We’ll cover everything from performance and fuel efficiency to interior space and off-road capability.

Performance

The Subaru Crosstrek and Forester both come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. However, the Forester offers a more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged engine that produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque.

In terms of performance, the Forester is the clear winner. It’s faster and more powerful than the Crosstrek, and it can tow up to 3,500 pounds. The Crosstrek, on the other hand, can only tow up to 1,500 pounds.

Fuel Efficiency

The Subaru Crosstrek gets better fuel economy than the Forester. The Crosstrek gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while the Forester gets 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

If fuel efficiency is a top priority for you, the Crosstrek is the better choice. However, it’s important to note that the Forester’s turbocharged engine provides more power and torque, which can be beneficial for towing or driving in hilly areas.

Interior Space

The Subaru Crosstrek and Forester offer similar amounts of interior space. The Crosstrek has 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, while the Forester has 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space.

However, the Forester offers more passenger space than the Crosstrek. The Forester has 104.5 cubic feet of passenger space, while the Crosstrek has 95.5 cubic feet of passenger space.

If you need a vehicle with plenty of space for passengers and cargo, the Forester is the better choice.

Off-Road Capability

Both the Subaru Crosstrek and Forester are capable off-road vehicles. However, the Forester has a slight edge over the Crosstrek in this area.

The Forester comes standard with a higher ground clearance (8.7 inches) than the Crosstrek (8.7 inches). It also has a more advanced all-wheel drive system that provides better traction on slippery surfaces.

If you plan on doing a lot of off-road driving, the Forester is the better choice.

Price

The Subaru Crosstrek has a lower starting price than the Forester. The Crosstrek starts at $24,845, while the Forester starts at $26,395.

However, the Forester offers more features and capabilities than the Crosstrek. So, if you’re looking for a vehicle with more power, space, and off-road capability, the Forester is worth the extra cost.

Which One is Right for You?

The Subaru Crosstrek and Forester are both excellent vehicles for outdoor enthusiasts. However, the Forester offers more power, space, and off-road capability than the Crosstrek. So, if you’re looking for a vehicle that can handle anything you throw at it, the Forester is the better choice.

If you’re on a budget or you don’t need as much power or space, the Crosstrek is a great option. It’s still a very capable vehicle, and it gets better fuel economy than the Forester.

Information You Need to Know

Q: Which vehicle is better for towing?

A: The Forester has a higher towing capacity than the Crosstrek. The Forester can tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the Crosstrek can only tow up to 1,500 pounds.

Q: Which vehicle gets better fuel economy?

A: The Crosstrek gets better fuel economy than the Forester. The Crosstrek gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while the Forester gets 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

Q: Which vehicle has more interior space?

A: The Forester has more interior space than the Crosstrek. The Forester has 104.5 cubic feet of passenger space, while the Crosstrek has 95.5 cubic feet of passenger space.