2025 Subaru Forester vs 2025 Subaru Crosstrek

Regardless of the Subaru model that you purchase, buyers with any of Subaru's vehicles on their shopping list will appreciate the Japanese build quality, performance, and longevity of the brand's products.

This article seeks to help you in choosing the Subaru model that is just right for you.

Read on as we compare the 2025 Subaru Forester compact SUV against its smaller 2025 Subaru Crosstrek crossover sibling and what prospective owners can look forward to when purchasing either of these exceptional Subaru models.

What's new for 2025?

In 2025, the Subaru Forester will be available in its brand-new sixth-generation iteration.

Tackling roads and trails since 1997,  the Forester has become the backbone of the Subaru family of SUVs.

Buyers of the 2025 Forester have five trim levels to pick from, Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and top of range Touring spec.

The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek continues as is from the 2024 full redesign, aside from the uprated 182-hp four-cylinder engine being made standard on all trims but the base model.

Trim levels remain as is for 2025 with the lineup comprising, Crosstrek Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and the off road oriented Crosstrek Wilderness trim.

Exterior Comparison

The latest 2025 Forester sports a new look with modern and up to date exterior styling and is constructed on an updated and stiffened chassis that offers more composed handling.

For 2025, buyers will receive standout exterior features such as:

• LED Steering Responsive Headlights
• LED daytime running lights
• Raised roof rails

All trims are fitted with alloy wheels of differing styles and sizes of 17 inches, 18 inches, or 19 inches and buyers get to choose from a palette of ten exterior paint colors.

The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek's new exterior from the 2024 redesign shows off a sleek profile with raked back LED steering responsive headlights and LED fog lights depending on trim.

Helping protect the Crosstrek are black lower body cladding and wheel arch trim.

A comprehensive list of exterior equipment includes items such as:

• Two-speed windshield wipers with variable-intermittent mode and mist feature
• Roof spoiler

Alloy wheels of either 17 or 18 inches are fitted, depending on trim level. Other notable features depending on trim level include a windshield wiper de-icer, heated side mirrors, raised roof rails, and a heated windshield.

A power tilt/sliding moonroof is optional across all trims.

Dimensions

The 2025 Forester measures 183.3 inches in length, 72 inches wide, stands 68.1 inches high and rides on a wheelbase of 105.1 inches. 

Ground clearance on the 2025 Subaru Forester stands at 8.7 inches.

The compact 2025 Subaru Crosstrek is 176.4 inches long, 70.9 inches wide on all trims aside from the Wilderness which measures 71.7 inches wide, and stands up to 63.6 inches high.

The Crosstrek features a wheelbase of 105.1 inches for all trims aside from the Wilderness with its marginally shorter 104.9 inch wheelbase.

The Crosstrek boasts a similar minimum ground clearance of the Forester at 8.7 inches while the off-road-oriented Wilderness trim offers enhanced clearance of 9.3 inches.

Powertrain and Performance Differences

For 2025, the Forester's 2.5-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine makes 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque and is coupled with a Lineartronic CVT and Subaru's Symmetrical All Wheel Drive system as standard across all trims.

A maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds is on offer.

The Crosstrek Base trim features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine making 152 horsepower @ 6000 rpm and torque of 145-foot pounds @ 4,000 rpm while the balance of the trims lineup make use of a more powerful 2.5-liter flat-four engine with 182 horsepower and torque of 178-foot pounds.

The Crosstrek is equipped with a continuously variable transmission and Subaru's standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

Interior

The 2025 Forester is fitted with two rows of seats that can accommodate up to five passengers in a passenger space measuring 106.6 cubic feet in all trims aside from the Base trim which offers 110.8 cubic feet..

The latest Forester offers upscaled premium quality soft-touch materials with seating material choices of with cloth, synthetic leather, premium leather, or suede-input leather.

Options in the latest Forester include,  integrated navigation, push-button start, evasive steering assist, plus a premium Harman Kardon sound system.

Key interior features include:

• Two-zone climate control system
• Available Hands-free liftgate

The 2025 Crosstrek seats five passengers in two rows of seats with a total passenger space of 100.5 cubic feet. The Crosstrek's cabin features comfy seats with cloth seating material on most trims with leather upholstery an option.

Dual-zone auto climate control is standard as well as power windows all around with driver and front passenger auto-up/down.

Upper trims receive niceties such as heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Infotainment

The Forester's large 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen system is fitted in all trims aside from the Base trim with a 7.0-inch screen.

Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Subaru's Starlink multimedia system are standard.

The Crosstrek offers a SUBARU STARLINK dual 7.0-inch multimedia touch display screen, a four-speaker sound system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is fitted in Base trims while upper trim levels get an enhanced SUBARU STARLINK 11.6-inch Multimedia system with six speakers.

Cargo Space

Base trim Foresters accommodate up to 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which grows to 74.4 cubic feet once the 60/40 split rear seats are folded down. All other trim levels offer cargo space of 27.5 cubic feet and 69.9 cubic feet of cargo volume with the seats down.

The latest Crosstrek will carry 20 cubic feet of luggage with all seats occupied and up to 55 cubic feet once the 60/40 folding rear seats are in the down position.

Find Your Next Subaru at Granite Subaru

Contact the Granite Subaru Dealership to learn more about the full lineup of Subaru models.

Granite Subaru's dedicated team will help you choose your next brand-new Subaru or get you in the driver's seat of any of the quality pre-owned Subaru cars and SUVs we have in stock.