Jeep Liberty vs Subaru Forester
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Subaru Forester
Overview
| Spec | Jeep LibertySport | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Sport | Forester SUV |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2012 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Jeep LibertySport | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $23,395 (best) | $29,995 |
| Lowest listing price | — | $13,997 (best) |
| Median listing price | — | $27,995 (best) |
| Highest listing price | — | $42,263 (best) |
| For sale now | 0 | 89 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Jeep LibertySport | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 18 MPG | 29 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 16 MPG | 26 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 22 MPG | 33 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 19.5 gal (best) | 16.6 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Jeep LibertySport | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 210 hp (best) | 180 hp |
| Torque | 235 lb-ft (best) | 178 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 3.7 L (best) | 2.5 L |
| Cylinders | V6 | flat 4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Jeep LibertySport | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 5 (best) | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 62.4 cu ft | 74.4 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 5,000 lbs (best) | — |
| Payload | 1,150 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 4,076 lbs | 3,510 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 7.8 in | 8.7 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 106.1 in (best) | 105.1 in |
| Length | 176.9 in | 183.3 in (best) |
| Width | 72.3 in (best) | 72 in |
| Height | — | 68.1 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Jeep LibertySport | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 3 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 3 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 2 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 1 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Rollover | 3 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 2 (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 | Jeep Liberty | Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sport $23,395 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Forester SUV $29,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Sport $25,395 MSRP | Premium $33,385 MSRP |
| 3 | Limited $26,760 MSRP | Premium Hybrid $34,730 MSRP |
| 4 | Limited $28,360 MSRP | Sport $36,105 MSRP |
| 5 | Limited Jet $26,995 MSRP | Limited $37,695 MSRP |
| 6 | Limited Jet $28,995 MSRP | 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
Subaru Forester89 for sale
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Used2020 Subaru Forester
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Used2019 Subaru Forester
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Certified2026 Subaru Forester
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Magnetite Gray Metallic•Gray2,648 mi$34,674Dulles Kia Leesburg
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Used2023 Subaru Forester
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White•Gray16,392 mi$29,551Kia on Atlantic
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Used2022 Subaru Forester
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Blue•lighting37,321 mi$25,263Kia of Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel, FL
Used2024 Subaru Forester
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Magnetite Gray Metallic•gray40,325 mi$30,265Classic Nissan Newport News
Newport News, VA
Jeep Liberty vs Subaru Forester FAQ
- Which is better: 2012 Jeep Liberty or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2012 Jeep Liberty 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: 2012 Jeep Liberty or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2012 Jeep Liberty starts lower at $23,395. Live Subaru Forester listings start at $13,997.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2012 Jeep Liberty or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2012 Jeep Liberty leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (23,395).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2012 Jeep Liberty or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2026 Subaru Forester leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (35).
- Which has better horsepower: 2012 Jeep Liberty or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2012 Jeep Liberty leads on horsepower in this comparison (210).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2012 Jeep Liberty or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2012 Jeep Liberty leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (5,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2012 Jeep Liberty vs 2026 Subaru Forester?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Jeep Liberty (3/5 NHTSA overall); Subaru Forester (5/5 NHTSA overall).