2027 Subaru Crosstrek vs Subaru Forester: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Crosstrek — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–2.5 across 8 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($26,995 vs $29,995) and fewer recalls on the 2023–2025 model years (2 vs 5). Choose the Forester if fuel economy comes first (35 mpg vs 29 mpg best EPA combined).
Scorecard: Crosstrek 2.5 pts · Forester 2.5 pts across 8 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Crosstrek | 2027 Forester | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $26,995 | $29,995 | Crosstrek |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | — | 0.53 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 56% | 55.6% | Tie |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 29 mpg | 35 mpg | Forester |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 194 hp | 194 hp | Tie |
| Max towing (1) | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb | Tie |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 23.3 cu ft | 35.4 cu ft | Forester |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 7.3% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 2 | 5 | Crosstrek |
| Weighted points | 2.5 | 2.5 | Crosstrek |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Forester — 35 mpg vs 29 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the Forester — 35.4 cu ft vs 23.3 cu ft (cargo behind rear seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Crosstrek — $26,995 vs $29,995 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $24,772 for the Crosstrek vs $23,085 for the Forester.
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: it's a wash — Crosstrek 56% vs Forester 55.6% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — Crosstrek 3,500 lb vs Forester 3,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Crosstrek starts at $26,995 and tops out at $35,995; the Forester runs $29,995 to $41,545 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Forester buyers paid a median 7.3% off MSRP across 5 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 9% off. Used, the median asking price is $24,772 for the Crosstrek and $23,085 for the Forester (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Crosstrek: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Forester: 0.53 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 52th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Crosstrek 2, Forester 5.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Forester 2016 (avoid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Crosstrek | 2027 Forester | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $26,995 | $29,995 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $35,995 | $41,545 |
| Horsepower | 180–194 hp | 180–194 hp |
| Max torque | 178 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 26–29 mpg | 26–35 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 23.3 cu ft | 35.4 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| Crosstrek | Forester | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 176.4 in | 183.3 in |
| Width | 70.9 in | 72 in |
| Height | 62.8 in | 68.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 in | 105.1 in |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in | 8.7 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Crosstrek lists for a median $21,004 — 56% of today's median new price of $37,484. A 5-year-old (2021) Forester lists for a median $22,000 — 55.6% of today's median new price of $39,595.
Shop both
- See 18,440 new 2027 Subaru Crosstreks for sale →Median listed price $33,836 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2027 Subaru Foresters for sale →
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Subaru Crosstrek
More on the Subaru Forester
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Crosstrek better than the Forester?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Crosstrek — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–2.5 across 8 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($26,995 vs $29,995) and fewer recalls on the 2023–2025 model years (2 vs 5). Choose the Forester if fuel economy comes first (35 mpg vs 29 mpg best EPA combined).
Which is more reliable, the Crosstrek or the Forester?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Crosstrek and 5 for the Forester.
Which holds its value better, the Crosstrek or the Forester?
About the same — 56% vs 55.6% retained after five years (within 2 points).
Which is cheaper, the Crosstrek or the Forester?
The Crosstrek starts lower: $26,995 vs $29,995 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the Crosstrek or the Forester?
The Forester: up to 35 mpg combined vs 29 mpg for the Crosstrek (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Subaru Crosstrek vs Subaru Forester: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/subaru-crosstrek-vs-subaru-forester, updated November 8, 2026.