2025 Subaru Forester vs the Competition

The Nissan Rogue debuted in 2008 and is currently in its third generation. It holds the title of the best-selling Nissan model. The Rogue features a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-three engine, which is the sole powertrain available, as there are no hybrid or plug-in hybrid options for this model. 

• The Forester provides more passenger space than the Rogue (110.8 vs. 105.4 cubic feet). 

• Legroom is more plentiful in the Forester for both the front (43.3 vs. 41.5 inches) and rear (39.4 vs. 38.5 inches) occupants. 

• Though the differences are not large, the Forester also has slightly more front and rear shoulder, hip, and headroom as well as maximum cargo space than the Rogue. 

• When the surface gets rough, the Forester provides more ground clearance than the Rogue (8.7 vs. 8.2 inches). 

• When comparing the off-road-focused models, the Forester Wilderness provides an inch more ground clearance than the Rogue Rock Creek (9.2 vs. 8.2 inches) and the highest ground clearance in the category. 

• The Wilderness’s 23.5-degree approach, 25.4-degree break-over, and 21.0-degree departure angles significantly exceed those of the Rogue Rock Creek, which are 19.0 degrees, 23.6 degrees, and 17.9 degrees, respectively. 

• The Forester’s standard maximum towing ability is twice that of any Rogue trim (3,000 vs. 1,500 pounds). 

• The Forester comes standard with dual-zone climate control. This requires a trim upgrade on the Rogue. 

• The conveniences of adaptive cruise control and a lane-keeping assist system are standard for the Forester but require a model upgrade for the Rogue. 

• Both the Forester and Rogue earned overall 5-Star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Still, the Forester earned five stars in the frontal crash test, while the Rogue earned four stars. 

• The Forester earned the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK + rating, which is the highest rating. The Rogue did not earn that nor the TOP SAFETY PICK rating. 

• The Forester’s starting MSRP of $29,810 is lower than the base Rogue AWD’s MSRP of $30,630. 

Toyota launched the car-based RAV4 in 1994, creating the compact crossover segment. Currently, the RAV4 is in its fifth design generation and is based on a variant of the Camry platform. It remains the top-selling model in its category and is also Toyota’s best-selling vehicle. The RAV4 offers conventional, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid drivetrains, but this comparison focuses solely on the non-electrified RAV4 model equipped with a 2.5-liter inline-four engine. 

• The RAV4 engine has higher rated peak horsepower and torque, though the Forester reaches its peak horsepower at 800 lower rpm and peak torque at 1,300 lower rpm.   

• The Forester provides significantly more passenger space than the RAV4 (110.8 vs. 98.9 cubic feet). 

• The Forester offers more legroom for both the front (43.3 inches vs. 41.0 inches) and rear (39.4 inches vs. 37.8 inches) occupants. 

• The Forester offers six inches more hip room for rear passengers (53.7 vs. 47.7 inches), which is enough to make a real difference in comfort when carrying a fifth passenger. 

• The Forester’s cabin also offers slightly more rear shoulder room and front headroom. 

• The Forester offers greater maximum cargo space than the RAV4 (74.4 vs. 69.8 cubic feet). 

• The Forester’s standard maximum towing ability of 3,000 pounds is twice that of the standard RAV4’s 1,500 pounds. It is also higher than the highest towing model for RAV4, the Woodland Edition (a hybrid trim), at 1,750 pounds. 

• The Forester Wilderness has more ground clearance (9.2 vs. 8.1 inches) than the Woodland Edition. 

• The Forester Wilderness model’s 23.5-degree approach and 21.0-degree departure angles are higher than those of the RAV4 Woodland Edition, which are 18.0 and 20.0 degrees, respectively. 

• Both the Forester and RAV4 earned overall 5-Star ratings from the NHTSA. Still, the Forester earned five stars in the frontal crash test, while the RAV4 only earned four stars. 

• The Forester has also been rated an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK + (the highest rating). The RAV4 did not earn that rating or the lower TOP SAFETY PICK rating. 

• The base Forester’s starting MSRP of $29,810 is lower than the base RAV AWD’s MSRP of $30,075.

After being available in Japan for two years, the Honda CR-V entered the U.S. market in February 1997. Now in its sixth generation, it falls between the HR-V and the Passport in size. The CR-V has overtaken the Accord as Honda’s best-selling model and offers both conventional and hybrid drivetrains. The conventional drivetrain features a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).  

• The driving range of the Forester is rated at up to 481 miles, which is significantly farther than the AWD CR-V’s range of 392 miles. 

• The Forester’s EPA-estimated highway mpg of 33 is slightly higher than the AWD CR-V’s rating of 31. Both models are rated at 26 mpg for city driving. 

• The Forester can also save on gas expenses by running on regular (87 octane) fuel, while Honda recommends premium fuel (91 octane) for the CR-V. 

• With eight more inches in overall width, the Forester provides more rear hip room (53.7 vs. 52.6 inches) and rear shoulder room (56.7 vs. 55.9 inches) than the CR-V. 

• The Forester also provides more headroom in both the front (41.2 vs. 40.0 inches) and rear (39.6 vs. 38.2 inches) than the CR-V. 

• The Forester’s standard maximum towing ability is twice that of any CR-V trim (3,000 vs. 1,500 pounds). 

• When the surface gets rough, the Forester provides more ground clearance than the CR-V (8.7 vs. 8.3 inches). 

• Both the Forester and CR-V earned overall 5-Star ratings from the NHTSA. However, the Forester earned five stars in the frontal crash test, while the CR-V only earned four stars. 

• The Forester has also been rated an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK + (the highest rating). The CR-V earned its second-highest rating of TOP SAFETY PICK. 

• The base Forester’s starting MSRP of $29,810 is lower than the base CR-V AWD’s starting MSRP of $31,600. 

The Hyundai Tucson debuted in 2004 as a compact alternative to the Santa Fe, which was moving toward mid-size status. It is mechanically identical to the Kia Sportage, though the two models share no exterior or interior design elements. The Tucson is in its fourth generation, which appeared in the 2022 model year. It is built on a smaller version of the platform that supports the Santa Fe. The Tucson is available in conventional, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid drivetrains. This comparison focuses solely on the non-hybrid AWD model, which, like the Forester, is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four engine. 

• The Forester and Tucson are very close in power. The Tucson has the advantage (180 vs. 187) while both generate the same 178 lb-ft of torque. 

• The Forester beats the AWD Tucson in fuel efficiency, with EPA-estimated city and highway mpg rated at up to 26/33, respectively, compared to 24/30 for the Tucson. 

• The total driving range is estimated at up to 481 miles for the Forester and 372 miles for AWD Tucson.  

• The Forester and Tucson trade legroom advantages, with the Forester providing more in the front (43.3 vs. 41.4) and the Tucson having more in the rear (39.4 vs. 41.3). 

• The Forester also has slightly more front and rear shoulder room, front hip room, and front and rear headroom. 

• The Forester’s turning circle is 35.4 feet compared to 38.6 feet for the Tucson, which allows for easier maneuverability in tight parking lots and other spaces. 

• The Forester comes standard with dual-zone climate control. This requires a trim upgrade on the Tucson. 

• A cornering brake control system is standard on the Forester, but not on the Tucson.