Now that the Outback has moved toward the mid-size SUV category, the Forester remains the brand’s entry in the extremely popular compact crossover category. The Forester stands out among its close competitors by offering standard all-wheel drive (AWD) for improved on-road traction and potential off-road capabilities, as well as a longitudinally mounted horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine. In contrast, competing models typically feature standard front-wheel drive (FWD), with AWD available as an option.They almost universally use inline-4 engines, both turbocharged and naturally aspirated, with a couple of models using turbocharged 3-cylinder engines.

The Forester added a hybrid drivetrain for the 2025 model year, and the Wilderness model returns for 2026 with 9.3 inches of ground clearance and selectable Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud drive modes. All 2026 Foresters feature a redesigned center console with a larger armrest and a smartphone slot, among other enhancements.

Forester vs. Nissan Rogue

The Nissan Rogue debuted in 2008 and is now in its third generation. It is Nissan's best-selling model. The Rogue features a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-3 engine. For 2026, a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model debuts, with a total system output of 248 horsepower and 38 miles of EV-only driving. The Rogue is available in S, SV, Rock Creek, Dark Armor, and Platinum trims. The PHEV is available in SL and Platinum trims and uses a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, two electric motors, and standard AWD.

  • 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.
  • 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 over an inch more ground clearance than the Rogue Rock Creek (9.3 vs. 8.2 inches) and the highest ground clearance in the category.
  • The Wilderness 23.5° approach, 25.4° break-over, and 21.0° departure angles also significantly exceed those in the Rogue Rock Creek, which are 19.0°, 23.6°, and 17.9°, respectively.
  • The Forester standard maximum towing ability is twice that of any Rogue trim (3,000 vs. 1,500 pounds).
  • After its 38 EV miles, the Rogue PHEV is not that impressive in fuel economy, with a rating of 25 in the city and 27 on the highway, compared to 35 city and 34 highway for the Forester Hybrid.
  • 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 on the Forester but require a model upgrade for the Rogue.
  • Both the Forester and Rogue earned an Overall 5-Star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Still, the Forester earned five stars in the frontal crash test, while the Rogue only earned four stars.
  • The Forester has also been rated as the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK +, which is their highest rating. The Rogue did not earn that, nor the TOP SAFETY PICK rating.
  • The Forester’s starting MSRP of $ 29,995 is lower than the base Rogue with AWD’s MSRP of $30,890.

Forester vs. Toyota RAV4

Toyota launched the car-based RAV4 in 1994, creating the compact crossover segment. The RAV4 was redesigned for the 2026 model year, and following the trend of other Toyota models, all RAV4s have a hybrid drivetrain. The drivetrain is based on the 2.5-liter engine and delivers 226 horsepower, or 236 with AWD. There is also a Plug-in hybrid variant with an estimated 54 EV miles.

  • The Forester offers more interior volume than the RAV4 (140.4 vs. 136.4 cu.ft) and, of that, more passenger volume (110.8 vs. 98.9 cu.ft).
  • 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. 49.6 inches), which is enough to make a real difference in comfort when carrying a fifth passenger.
  • The Forester cabin also offers slightly more rear shoulder room and front headroom.
  • The Forester offers greater maximum cargo space than the RAV4 (74.4 vs. 70.4 cubic feet).
  • The Forester Wilderness has higher ground clearance (9.3 vs.8.5 inches) than the Woodland Edition.
  • The Forester Wilderness model’s 23.5° approach and 25.5° departure angles are higher than those for the RAV4 Woodland Edition, which are 20.0 and 24.0°, respectively.
  • The Forester earned an Overall 5-Star rating from the NHTSA) The 2026 RAV4 has not been rated.
  • The Forester has also been rated an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK + (their highest rating). The RAV4 did not earn that rating or the lower TOP SAFETY PICK rating for 2025. The 2026 model had not yet been rated.

Forester vs. Honda CR-V

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 is positioned 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-4 paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Hybrid features a 2.0-liter normally-aspirated inline-4 and two motors, with one motor powering the wheels while the engine acts as a generator. The engine doesn’t power the wheels directly until highway cruising speeds.

  • The operating range of the non-hybrid Forester is rated at up to 481 miles, which is significantly greater than the AWD CR-V’s 406-mile range.
  • The Forester’s EPA-estimated highway mpg of 33 is slightly higher than the AWD CR-V’s 31. Both models are rated at 26 mpg in the city.
  • The Forester can also save on fuel costs by running on regular (87 octane) fuel, whereas the CR-V requires premium (91 octane) fuel, according to Honda.
  • With an additional eight 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 than the CR-V in both the front (41.2 vs. 40.0 inches) and the rear (39.6 vs. 38.2 inches).
  • The Forester’s standard maximum towing capacity is twice that of any CR-V trim (3,000 vs. 1,500 pounds).
  • When the surface is rough, the Forester provides more ground clearance than the CR-V (8.7 vs. 8.3 inches).
  • When comparing the off-road-focused models, the Wilderness has significantly more ground clearance 9.3 vs. 8.2 inches) and higher approach and departure angles 23.5 / 25.5 vs. 17.7/22.5 degrees).
  • Both the Forester and the CR-V earned an Overall 5-Star rating from the NHTSA. However, the Forester earned five stars in the frontal crash test, while the CR-V earned only four.
  • The Forester has also been rated an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK + (their highest rating). The 2026 CR-V did not earn any TOP SAFETY PICK award due to a poor rating on the moderate overlap front collision test.
  • The base Forester’s starting MSRP of $29,810 is lower than the base CR-V with AWD’s starting MSRP of $31,600.

Forester vs. Hyundai Tucson

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 debuted in the 2022 model year and received a refresh in 2025. The Tucson is available in conventional, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.

  • The Forester and CR-V are very close in power. The Tucson has the (180 vs. 187) while both generate the same 178 lb-ft of torque.
  • The Forester has a significantly longer range than the Tucson AWD (481 vs. 372 miles).
  • The Forester Hybrid has a longer range than the Tucson Hybrid (581 vs. 521 miles).
  • The Forester beats the AWD Tucson in fuel efficiency, with EPA-estimated city and highway mpg of up to 26/33, compared to 24/30 for the Tucson.
  • The total operating range is estimated at up to 481 miles for the Forester and 372 miles for the 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.