Subaru Crosstrek vs Subaru Forester
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Subaru Forester
Overview
| Spec | Subaru CrosstrekBase | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Base | Forester SUV |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2027 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Subaru CrosstrekBase | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $26,995 (best) | $29,995 |
| Lowest listing price | $18,498 | $13,997 (best) |
| Median listing price | $30,386 | $27,995 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $39,337 (best) | $42,263 |
| For sale now | 88 | 89 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Subaru CrosstrekBase | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 29 MPG | 29 MPG |
| City MPG | 26 MPG | 26 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 33 MPG | 33 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 16.6 gal | 16.6 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Subaru CrosstrekBase | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 180 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Cylinders | flat 4 | flat 4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Subaru CrosstrekBase | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 19.9 cu ft | 74.4 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 1,500 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 3,296 lbs (best) | 3,510 lbs |
| Ground clearance | — | 8.7 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 in | 105.1 in |
| Length | 176.4 in | 183.3 in (best) |
| Width | 70.9 in | 72 in (best) |
| Height | 62.8 in | 68.1 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Subaru CrosstrekBase | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (passenger) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side pole | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Rollover | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| 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 | Subaru Crosstrek | Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base $26,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Forester SUV $29,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Premium $27,995 MSRP | Premium $33,385 MSRP |
| 3 | Limited $32,995 MSRP | Premium Hybrid $34,730 MSRP |
| 4 | Wilderness $33,795 MSRP | Sport $36,105 MSRP |
| 5 | Sport Hybrid $33,995 MSRP | Limited $37,695 MSRP |
| 6 | Limited Hybrid $35,995 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 Crosstrek88 for sale
See all
Used2025 Subaru Crosstrek
Base
Ice Silver Metallic•Gray27,482 mi$24,487Clay Cooley Mitsubishi Arlington
Arlington, TX
Used2018 Subaru Crosstrek
2.0i Limited
Cool Gray Khaki•Black67,682 mi$19,079Volvo Cars Marin of San Rafael
San Rafael, CA
New2026 Subaru Crosstrek
Premium
Lithium Red Pearl•Black8 mi$31,325Gallatin Subaru Bozeman
Bozeman, MT
New2026 Subaru Crosstrek
Premium
Ice Silver Metallic•Black8 mi$31,325Gallatin Subaru Bozeman
Bozeman, MT
New2026 Subaru Crosstrek
Limited
Ice Silver Metallic•Gray W/Orange Stitch13 mi$37,730Gallatin Subaru Bozeman
Bozeman, MT
Used2023 Subaru Crosstrek
Premium
Magnetite Gray Metallic•Gray W/Orange Stitching38,003 mi$25,304Fred Anderson Toyota of Asheville
Asheville, NC
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
Subaru Crosstrek vs Subaru Forester FAQ
- Which is better: 2027 Subaru Crosstrek or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2027 Subaru Crosstrek 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: 2027 Subaru Crosstrek or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2027 Subaru Crosstrek starts lower at $26,995. Live Subaru Crosstrek listings start at $18,498. Live Subaru Forester listings start at $13,997.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2027 Subaru Crosstrek or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2027 Subaru Crosstrek leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (26,995).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2027 Subaru Crosstrek or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2027 Subaru Crosstrek leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (36).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2027 Subaru Crosstrek or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2027 Subaru Crosstrek leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (3,500).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2027 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2026 Subaru Forester?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Subaru Forester (5/5 NHTSA overall).