Buick Encore vs Subaru Forester
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Subaru Forester
Overview
| Spec | Buick EncorePreferred | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Preferred | Forester SUV |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2022 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Buick EncorePreferred | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $24,600 (best) | $29,995 |
| Lowest listing price | $5,999 (best) | $13,997 |
| Median listing price | $15,788 (best) | $27,995 |
| Highest listing price | $20,797 (best) | $42,263 |
| For sale now | 13 | 89 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Buick EncorePreferred | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 27 MPG | 29 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 24 MPG | 26 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 32 MPG | 33 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 14 gal | 16.6 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Buick EncorePreferred | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 155 hp | 180 hp (best) |
| Torque | 177 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 1.4 L | 2.5 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | flat 4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Buick EncorePreferred | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 5 (best) | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 48.4 cu ft | 74.4 cu ft (best) |
| Payload | 1,018 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 3,237 lbs (best) | 3,510 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 6.2 in | 8.7 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 100.6 in | 105.1 in (best) |
| Length | 168.4 in | 183.3 in (best) |
| Width | 70.1 in | 72 in (best) |
| Height | 65.3 in | 68.1 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Buick EncorePreferred | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported (best) | 3 |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Buick Encore | Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preferred $24,600 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Forester SUV $29,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Preferred $25,220 MSRP | Premium $33,385 MSRP |
| 3 | — | Premium Hybrid $34,730 MSRP |
| 4 | — | Sport $36,105 MSRP |
| 5 | — | Limited $37,695 MSRP |
| 6 | — | Sport Hybrid $37,930 MSRP |
| 7 | — | Wilderness $38,385 MSRP |
| 8 | — | Limited Hybrid $38,995 MSRP |
| 9 | — | Touring Hybrid $41,545 MSRP |
| 10 | — | Touring $41,595 MSRP |
Live inventory
Buick Encore13 for sale
See all
Used2022 Buick Encore
Preferred
Quicksilver Metallic•ebony32,043 mi$20,797Peachtree Mitsubishi
Atlanta, GA
Used2019 Buick Encore
Preferred
Coppertino Metallic•Shale/Ebony Accents59,385 mi$15,269Findlay Toyota Prescott
Prescott, AZ
Used2021 Buick Encore
Preferred
Black•Afn Ebony22,429 mi$17,032Coconut Creek Mazda
Coconut Creek, FL
Used2019 Buick Encore
Preferred
Ebony, Cloth With Leatherette Seat Trim45,118 mi$15,788Best Chevrolet
Hingham, MA
Used2016 Buick Encore
Premium
Graphite Gray Metallic•titanium98,303 mi$12,120McCarthy Hyundai Blue Springs
Blue Springs, MO
Used2018 Buick Encore
Essence
Graphite Gray Metallic•ebony71,831 mi$12,993Economy Auto Outlet
Massillon, OH
Subaru Forester89 for sale
See all
Used2020 Subaru Forester
Premium
Crystal White Pearl•Black95,634 mi$17,995Wholesale Direct Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Used2019 Subaru Forester
Limited
Silver•black42,576 mi$21,000Kia of Clermont
Clermont, FL
Certified2026 Subaru Forester
Wilderness
Magnetite Gray Metallic•Gray2,648 mi$34,674Dulles Kia Leesburg
Leesburg, VA
Used2023 Subaru Forester
Wilderness
White•Gray16,392 mi$29,551Kia on Atlantic
Jacksonville, FL
Used2022 Subaru Forester
Limited
Blue•lighting37,321 mi$25,263Kia of Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel, FL
Used2024 Subaru Forester
Wilderness
Magnetite Gray Metallic•gray40,325 mi$30,265Classic Nissan Newport News
Newport News, VA
Buick Encore vs Subaru Forester FAQ
- Which is better: 2022 Buick Encore or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2022 Buick Encore vs 2026 Subaru Forester on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2022 Buick Encore or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2022 Buick Encore starts lower at $24,600. Live Buick Encore listings start at $5,999. Live Subaru Forester listings start at $13,997.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2022 Buick Encore or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2022 Buick Encore leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (24,600).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2022 Buick Encore or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2026 Subaru Forester leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (35).
- Which has better horsepower: 2022 Buick Encore or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2026 Subaru Forester leads on horsepower in this comparison (194).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2022 Buick Encore or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2026 Subaru Forester leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (3,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2022 Buick Encore vs 2026 Subaru Forester?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Buick Encore (5/5 NHTSA overall); Subaru Forester (5/5 NHTSA overall).