8 Top Subaru Forester Competitors

The 2022 Honda CR-V is just one of the Subaru Forester competitors you should consider if you’re in the market for a new compact crossover SUV.
Written by Ethan Moser
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The reliable Toyota RAV4, the spacious Chevrolet Equinox, and the hybrid powertrain options of the Honda CR-V are just a small selection of the key competitors to the Subaru Forester when it comes to compact crossover SUVs.
The 2022
Subaru Forester
is desirable for its better-than-average fuel economy, plethora of driver assistance and infotainment technology, and affordable starting price. That being said, when it comes to powerful engines, towing capacity, and upgrades, the 2022 Subaru Forester fails to keep up with some of its key competitors. 
Of course, the Subaru Forester is a great option, depending on what exactly you’re looking for in a compact crossover SUV—but you might find an even better match by taking a look at the Forester’s rivals. That’s why
Jerry
—the #1 rated
car insurance
comparison shopping
super app
—has corralled eight of the top compact crossover competitors drivers should consider alongside the Subaru Forester. 

1. Jeep Cherokee

Starting price: $31,590 to $40,940
Selling points: Capable off-roading, high towing capacity, and satisfying handling
Weak spot: Dated interior, bulky exterior design, and cramped cargo capacity
The 2022
Jeep Cherokee
comes standard with a 3.2-liter V-6 engine that produces 270 horsepower. However, a torquier turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 engine is also available alongside advanced all-wheel drive capabilities. The V-6 engine option gives the Cherokee 4,500 pounds of towing capacity compared to the Subaru Forester’s 1,500 pounds.  
Jeep Cherokee drivers can enjoy a range of infotainment and driver assistance features using the SUV’s 8.4-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. Drivers can also avail of heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an upgraded off-road suspension, and all-terrain tires when they upgrade to the more expensive
Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
trim package. 
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2. Honda CR-V

Starting price: $28,045 to $39,045
Selling points: Spacious interior, plenty of storage space, and fuel-efficient hybrid options
Weak spot: Weak and slow compared to its rivals, with a noisy engine
The 2022
Honda CR-V
is one of the few compact crossover SUVs on our list that is available with a hybrid powertrain option. The standard CR-V is powered by a 2.0-liter I-4 engine, while the
CR-V EX
trim is powered by a 1.4kWh Lithium-ion battery—making the SUV both more fuel efficient and eco-friendly than the Forester. 
The CR-V also boasts standard blind-spot monitoring, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display with access to a range of convenience and driver assistance features. All-wheel drive capabilities are also standard on all 2022 Honda CR-V trims. 

3. Mazda CX-5

Starting price: $27,475 to $40,225
Selling points: Athletic and refined bodywork, lux compared to rival models
Weak spot: Low towing capacity and cramped cargo space
One of the most glaring weak spots of the 2022
Mazda CX-5
is its lack of sufficient towing capacity. However, the compact crossover can still tow 2,000 pounds of cargo, compared to the Forester’s 1,500 pounds. Additionally, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control are standard features on all of the CX-5’s many trims.
Powered by either a 187-horsepower I-4 engine or a 256-horsepower turbocharged I-4 engine, the CX-5 is also more powerful than the Forester. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services with remote vehicle functions are all accessible from the CX-5’s 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display, as well as via the Mazda smartphone app. 

4. Ford Escape

Starting price: $28,500 to $42,120
Selling points: Attractive styling, loads of powertrain options and driver assistance tech
Weak spot: Entry-level trims are fairly basic, while hybrid options are pricey
The 2022 Ford Escape compact crossover offers drivers the choice of four unique powertrains: a 181-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, 250-horsepower 2.0-liter I-4 engine, and two hybrid powertrain options. The
Escape Hybrid
is available as either a standard hybrid vehicle with a 2.5-liter I-4 engine paired with two electric motors producing a combined 221-horsepower, or as a plug-in hybrid variant. 
For most of the Escape’s attractive features, you’ll have to move up in terms of trim level. The
Escape SE
, for example, adds an 8.0-inch touchscreen display with Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment interface, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. All-wheel drive, while standard on the Forester, is an optional upgrade for the 2022 Escape. 

5. Chevrolet Equinox

Starting price: $27,695 to $32,895
Selling points: Roomy cabin, smooth ride, and plenty of standard infotainment tech
Weak spot: More expensive and less powerful than its competitors
The 2022
Chevrolet Equinox
is probably the weakest compact crossover SUV on our list. Powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter I-4 engine, the Equinox gets 170 horsepower to the Forester’s 182. That being said, there’s plenty to love about the Chevy Equinox—like a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display center equipped with Chevy’s MyLink infotainment interface, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE wi-fi hotspot. Similarly, the Equinox boasts plenty of standard driver assistance technology—most notably, automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. 

6. Toyota RAV4

Starting price: $28,310 to $38,250
Selling points: Comfortable ride, rugged exterior, and plenty of driver assistance tech
Weak spot: Base trim is pretty basic, noisy engine
While all cars have their ups and downs, the 2022
Toyota RAV4
was remarkable enough to be named an Editor’s Choice pick by Car & Driver. In addition to being powered by a 2.5-liter I-4 engine and producing 203 horsepower, the RAV4 comes standard with automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and an eight-speed automatic transmission
In terms of infotainment, the RAV4 features a 7.0-inch touchscreen display equipped with a 4G LTE wi-fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and Scout GPS Link navigation, in addition to a JBL premium audio system. Hybrid powertrain options are also available for environmentally conscious drivers. 

7. Nissan Rogue

Starting price: $28,445 to $38,225
Selling points: Rugged design, comfortable and modern tech-savvy interior
Weak spot: The most desirable features are only available on the most expensive trims
The 2022
Nissan Rogue
has been knocked for its lackluster base trim, mediocre warranty coverages, and bland handling. For more impressive features, like in-dash navigation, 18-inch aluminum wheels, and a 360-degree exterior camera, you’ll have to dish out for a more expensive trim level. 
For example, the base trim Rogue comes with a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display, which grows to 9.0 inches on the more expensive
Rogue SL
and
Rogue Platinum
trims. Upgrading trims will also get you Nissan’s ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous driving mode. 

8. Kia Sportage

Starting price: $25,305 to $34,965
Selling points: Quality cabin materials, exciting turbocharged engine, satisfying ride 
Weak spot: Cramped cargo capacity, poor fuel economy
While a 181-horsepower 2.4-liter I-4 engine comes standard on the 2022
Kia Sportage
, the real hidden gem on this compact crossover SUV is its optional 237-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4. Unfortunately, the turbo engine is only available on the most expensive
Sportage SX Turbo
trim—nearly $10,000 more expensive than the base trim. 
That being said, standard features on all Sportage trim levels include driver assistance tech like forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. An 8.0-inch touchscreen display offers infotainment features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in satellite navigation. The Sportage’s cabin also benefits from standard dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and passive entry technology. 

Subaru Forester vs. the competition

Want to see all of these rivals’ key specs laid out side-by-side? Take a look at our comprehensive comparison of the 2022 Subaru Forester and its main competitors.
Model
Starting price range
Engine options
Maximum seating capacity
Maximum cargo volume
Maximum towing capacity
Fuel economy (city/highway/combined)
2022 Subaru Forester
$27,070 to $36,420
I-4
5
76.1 cubic ft
1,500 lbs
26/33/29
2022 Jeep Cherokee
$31,590 to $40,940
V-6 or I-4
5
54.7 cubic ft
4,500 lbs
21/18/24
2022 Honda CR-V
$28,045 to $39,045
I-4 or 1.4kWh
5
75.8 cubic ft
1,500 lbs
28/34/30
2022 Mazda CX-5
$27,475 to $40,225
I-4 or turbo I-4
5
59.6 cubic ft
2,000 lbs
25/31/28
2022 Ford Escape
$28,500 to $42,120
3-cyl, turbo 3, I-4, hybrid, or PHEV
5
65.4 cubic ft
3,500 lbs
27/33/30
2022 Chevrolet Equinox
$27,695 to $32,895
I-4
5
63.9 cubic ft
3,500 lbs
26/31/28
2022 Toyota RAV4
$28,310 to $38,250
I-4
5
69.8 cubic ft
3,500 lbs
28/35/30
2022 Nissan Rogue
$28,445 to $38,225
I-4 or turbo 3
5
70.0 cubic ft
1,100 lbs
26/33/29
2022 Kia Sportage
$25,305 to $34,965
I-4 or turbo I-4
5
31.1 cubic ft
1,600 lbs
21/19/24
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