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Subaru Crosstrek vs Subaru Forester

2026 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2026 Subaru Forester — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Subaru Crosstrek

2026 Subaru Crosstrek

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS5 – 1Subaru Crosstrek wins 5 of 6 categories
Subaru Forester

2026 Subaru Forester

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

Swap in a different car →

The short version

The Subaru Crosstrek is more fuel-efficient: 36 vs 35 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $50 a year less in fuel for the Subaru Crosstrek (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Subaru Forester is the bigger car, about 7 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Subaru Crosstrek has had fewer recall campaigns (17 vs 39).

The two cars

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 176 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,285 lb (Convenience/Touring 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Subaru Forester is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 184 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,580 lb.

Buying used? The 2015 Crosstrek and the 2024 Forester have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2019 Crosstrek and the 2019 Forester.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
2.5L 4-cyl
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

36 MPG
Best combined MPG
35 MPG
36 city
City / highway MPG (best)
35 city
$1,850
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,900

Performance & space

180 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
180 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
176.4 in
Length
183.5 in
70.9 in
Width
72 in
63 in
Height
68.1 in
3,285 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,580 lb

Safety & reliability

11
Driver-assist features standard
14
3
Recalls (2026)
4
17
Recalls, all years since 2005
39
10
Owner complaints (latest year)
32

Interest

11,593
Wikipedia views, 30 days
21,870

Buying used

2015
Best used year
2024
2019
Year to avoid
2019

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Subaru Crosstrek if…

  • You want something easier to park (7 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (17 vs 39 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Subaru Forester if…

  • You want more room (7 in longer)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech

Pros & cons of each

2026 Subaru Crosstrek

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 39% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

2026 Subaru Forester

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 35 MPG combined — 35% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Full 2026 Subaru Crosstrek specs →Full 2026 Subaru Forester specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →