Compare/Crosstrek vs. Forester

Configuration-aware comparison

2025 Subaru Crosstrek vs. 2026 Subaru Forester

The Crosstrek spans 152 / 182 horsepower and 5 mapped trim positions; the Forester spans 180 / 194 horsepower and 6. The better fit depends on the exact powertrain, drivetrain and equipment path. This comparison weighs powertrain range, drivetrain, trim structure, capability, seating & cargo, using each vehicle's own verified manufacturer and EPA-sourced facts instead of a single averaged rating. The Crosstrek carries 5 mapped trim positions and 3 linked sources; the Forester carries 6 and 4, so either side can be verified against its own primary record instead of taken on this page's summary alone. Configuration, not badge name, decides which one actually fits. Check the exact trim and powertrain before treating either vehicle's specification as settled.

Checked Aug. 17, 2026United States specifications7 linked sources

Decision fieldSubaru CrosstrekSubaru Forester

Power152 / 182 hp180 / 194 hp

DrivetrainStandard AWDStandard AWD

Trim map5 published positions6 published positions

Seating55

Powertrain contextPowertrain: 2.0L or 2.5L flat-four · Output: 152 / 182 hpEngine: 2.5L boxer (gas) / hybrid system · Gas output: 180 hp

Towing contextThe most the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek is published to tow is 1,500 / 3,500 lb.Most Forester trims are rated for 1,500 pounds; Forester Wilderness is rated for 3,500 pounds.

Ranges and maximums describe family-level possibilities. Open each vehicle record before treating a number or feature as applicable to a particular trim.

What separates them

Four decisions that change the answer.

This comparison does not force a universal winner. It identifies the configuration question that matters for each use case.

Powertrain range

Crosstrek: Powertrain 2.0L or 2.5L flat-four; Output 152 / 182 hp. Forester: Engine 2.5L boxer (gas) / hybrid system; Gas output 180 hp.

Drivetrain

The Crosstrek is represented with Standard AWD; the Forester with Standard AWD. Standard status must be checked by trim.

Trim structure

The Crosstrek comes in 5 trims and the Forester in 6. Package combinations can create additional builds.

Capability

The most the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek is published to tow is 1,500 / 3,500 lb. Most Forester trims are rated for 1,500 pounds; Forester Wilderness is rated for 3,500 pounds.

Seating & cargo

The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek seats 5 (subcompact SUV). The 2026 Forester is a two-row compact SUV with seating for five.

Model-year note: the Subaru Crosstrek figures below come from EPA's 2027 records, the nearest model year EPA lists for it.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Subaru Crosstrek: 2 records · Subaru Forester: 4 records.

Decision field	Subaru Crosstrek	Subaru Forester
Exact EPA records	2	4
Model / option labels	2	4
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	2.5L 4-cyl SIDI	2.5L 4-cyl SIDI, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI; Hybrid
Transmissions	Automatic (AV-S8)	Automatic (AV-S6), Automatic (AV-S8)
Fuel types	Regular	Regular
EPA classes	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Combined efficiency	26–29 MPG/MPGe	26–35 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$2250–2500 per year	$1850–2500 per year

Head to head

Subaru Crosstrek vs. Subaru Forester: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Subaru Crosstrek	Subaru Forester
Starting price (KBB base)	$28,470	$31,445
Top trim price (KBB base)	$35,270	$43,045
Horsepower	180 hp	180 hp
Torque	178 lb-ft	178 lb-ft
Curb weight	3,296-3,369 lb	3,510-3,675 lb
Length	176.4 in	182.9-183.3 in
Wheelbase	104.9-105.1 in	104.9-105.1 in
Cargo volume	54.7-54.9 cu ft	69.1-74.4 cu ft
Towing capacity	1,500-3,500 lb	3,500 lb
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	3 years	3 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2027 and 2026 model years); prices are KBB base prices.

The Subaru Crosstrek starts $2,975 lower: $28,470 against $31,445 before options and fees.
Both list the same peak horsepower: 180 hp.
Both list the same peak torque: 178 lb-ft.
The Subaru Crosstrek is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 3,296 lb against 3,510 lb.
On length, the Subaru Forester leads: 183.3 in against 176.4 in.
Both list the same wheelbase: 105.1 in.
On cargo volume, the Subaru Forester leads: 74.4 cu ft against 54.9 cu ft.
Both list the same maximum towing capacity: 3,500 lb.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
Both list the same basic warranty: 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Subaru Crosstrek and the Subaru Forester.

2027 Subaru Crosstrek

The Subaru Crosstrek is a compact crossover SUV produced by Subaru since 2012. It is a successor to the Outback Sport in North America, and the Impreza XV globally. Like the Outback Sport, the Crosstrek is a lifted Impreza hatchback with minor differences, though with a more substantial lift than the Outback Sport.

Source: Subaru Crosstrek (Wikipedia)

Safety. The second-generation Subaru XV ("Crosstrek" for the North American market) was unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2017. Like the Impreza, the XV/Crosstrek has moved to the Subaru Global Platform.

Sales. Sales in the United States have been much stronger than its predecessor, the Outback Sport, with 2020 being the first year with a sales drop, which could be attributed to a car sales slump in the US.

NHTSA rated the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (2 campaigns across the latest model years)

November 2023, Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break. Consequence: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios…
August 2023, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek and Impreza vehicles. Due to insufficient clearance, the instrument panel harness may contact the steering beam bracket, damaging the wire insulation and causing a short circuit. Consequence: A short circuit may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek, most often about unknown or other (13), lane departure (10), visibility (8).

2026 Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is a compact crossover SUV that has been manufactured by Subaru since 1997. The first generation was built on the platform of the Impreza in the style of a taller station wagon, a style that continued to the second generation, while the third-generation model onwards moved towards a crossover SUV design. A performance model was available for the second-generation Forester in Japan as the Forester STi.

Awards: Car and Driver's 5Best Trucks 2004, 2005, 2006 Winner of Wheels Gold star cars award for best compact SUV 2008 Winner of Motor Trend magazine's Sport/Utility of the Year Award in 2009 Best Small Utility in MotorWeek's 2009 Driver's Choice Awards Winner of Motor Trend Magazine's SUV of the Year Award in 2014 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ Subaru Forester Claims Top Honours as AJAC's 2017 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year Winner of New Zealand Motoring Writers Guild Car of the Year Award in 2018

Source: Subaru Forester (Wikipedia)

Safety. MY03-04 Models has a 4-Star ANCAP safety rating. MY05 Forester Model had a mid-life update, which increased its ANCAP safety rating to 5 Stars. In 2006, the turbocharged engine (powering the Forester XT) was awarded International Engine of the Year.

Engines. The fifth-generation Forester was presented on March 28, 2018, at the New York International Auto Show. Like contemporary Subaru models, the fifth-generation model moved the Forester to the Subaru Global Platform. The new platform is said to provide greater handling capability, agility, ride comfort and crash protection.

NHTSA rated the 2025 Subaru Forester overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (7 campaigns across the latest model years)

July 2026, Equipment:Other:Labels. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply… Consequence: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
May 2026, Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. The sliding glass panel of the power moonroof assembly may have been improperly bonded to the sliding frame, allowing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle. Consequence: A detached glass panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
December 2025, Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect and/or incorrectly oriented rear hatch support bracket which can detach without prior warning. Consequence: A rear hatch support bracket that detaches can allow the rear hatch to fall unexpectedly during use and increase the risk of injury.

Owners filed 93 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Subaru Forester, most often about unknown or other (19), fuel/propulsion system (13), visibility/wiper (13).

Comparison answer desk

12 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2027 Subaru Crosstrek or the 2026 Subaru Forester?

Efficiency

The 2026 Subaru Forester lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (30.5 vs. the 2027 Subaru Crosstrek's 27.5 MPG/MPGe).