Subaru Forester vs. Volkswagen Golf SportWagen: Which is Better?
The 2019 Subaru Forester and Volkswagen Golf SportWagen both received outstanding reviews, but which is better to buy used?
Written by Cameron Thiessen
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
While the 2019 Subaru Forester was a compact SUV built on a boxy, truck-like platform, the 2019 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen was based on the regular VW Golf, extending it to be a spacious family station wagon.
The first decision you’ll have to make if you’re trying to choose between a 2019 Forester or a 2019 Golf SportWagen is whether or not you need the extra off-road capability and towing capacity of an SUV. The Forester has a much higher ground clearance and will perform better on uneven terrain, and it’s able to tow up to 1,500 pounds. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it has a leg up on the SportWagen overall.
So just which of these used vehicles should you buy? At
Jerry
, we’re not just car insurance
experts—we’re fanatics about all things auto, and we’re here to help you decide! We’ll go over how much each will cost initially, long-term ownership costs, performance specifications, interior and exterior dimensions, and more!And don’t forget to download the Jerry’s
trustworthy insurance comparison app
that can save you money on your Subaru insurance costs
or your Volkswagen insurance costs
, depending on which one you decide to buy!Forester vs. Golf SportWagen: which is more expensive?
Model | Approx. used price | Model | Approx. used price |
|---|---|---|---|
Forester Base | $22,500 | Golf SportWagen TSI S | $21,500 |
Forester Premium | $24,500 | Golf SportWagen TSI S 4Motion | $23,000 |
Forester Sport | $27,500 | Golf SportWagen TSI SE | $23,500 |
Forester Limited | $28,000 | ||
Forester Touring | $29,000 |
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The three higher trims of the Subaru Forester add quite a bit more onto the initial cost, and the lower trims are still worth at least $1,000 more than their SportWagen equivalents. However, you should consider that even the base model Forester comes with standard all-wheel drive. This model will cost you a little less than a SportWagen TSI S with 4Motion AWD, but the SportWagen 4Motion models do come with an upgraded 1.8-liter engine.
Ownership costs
Cost of ownership for these two models is fairly close. The entry-level VW Golf SportWagen S with automatic transmission wins out over the Forester Base as the more affordable option by about $1,500, based on Edmunds’ 5-year cost-to-own breakdown. This assumes you forgo AWD on the Golf. An AWD Golf SportWagen is comparable in ownership cost to the second-level Forester Sport trim.
The 2019 Forester is more fuel-efficient than the AWD SportWagens, but you’ll lose more money to depreciation with the Subaru than with the VW. 4Motion SportWagens are also more expensive to maintain than the FWD versions, but AWD models will cost you about the same as a Forester.
MORE:
Subaru tune-up cost
Insurance costs
According to Edmunds, annual
Subaru Forester insurance costs
are very slightly lower than Volkswagen Golf SportWagen insurance costs
, but for all intents and purposes, insurance costs on these two models are very similar.Edmunds expects a five-year cost of $6,392 for the 2019 Forester Base and $7,030 for the FWD SportWagen S. Choosing an AWD SportWagen will reduce this cost slightly.
It’s important to keep in mind that these estimates won’t necessarily give you an exact idea of what you would pay to insure these models. Prices can vary significantly based on what state you live in and what kind of driving record you have.
No matter what, it’s always a good idea to use the
Jerry
app to help you find the best available prices for your car insurance.Winner: Subaru Forester*
It’s hard to deny the value of the 2019 Subaru Forester’s standard all-wheel drive when opting in for all-wheel drive on the Golf SportWagen adds a significant chunk to its 5-year ownership costs. However, if you have no need for all-wheel drive, the basic Golf SportWagen S offers the best bang for your buck.
Subaru Forester vs. VW Golf SportWagen: In-depth comparison
Body style and size
The shapes of these two vehicles are definitely distinct from one another. With the 2019 Subaru Forester, you get a hardier, more off-road-capable SUV. On the other hand, the 2019 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen takes the regular Golf hatchback shape that we know and love and extends it out to a more traditional stationwagon design—a bit more similar to the popular Subaru Outback. The Forester ends up still being a bit longer than the SportWagen, and it also has more space for both passengers and cargo.
Here’s how the dimensions of the 2019 Subaru Forester and VW Golf SportWagen measure up:
Dimensions | 2019 Subaru Forester | 2019 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen |
|---|---|---|
Wheelbase | 105.1 inches | 103.5 inches |
Passenger volume | 111.9 cubic feet | 94.3 cubic feet |
Headroom (front/rear) | 41.2/39.6 inches | 38.6/38.6 inches |
Legroom (front/rear) | 43.3/39.4 inches | 41.2/35.6 inches |
Cargo volume w/seats up | 31.1 cubic feet | 30.4 cubic feet |
Cargo volume w/seats down | 74.3 cubic feet | 66.5 cubic feet |
Ground clearance | 8.7 inches | 5.4 inches |
Base curb weight | 3449 lbs | 3113 lbs |
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The 2019 Subaru Forester is a bit bigger overall than the Golf SportWagen, but in terms of total length, it’s only about 3 inches longer. You have more cargo volume and more passenger space with the Forester, which generally does a better job of prioritizing interior space for both passengers and cargo.
Engine and performance
The 2019 Subaru Forester has the same engine as the newer models: a 2.5-liter flat-four with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. Every trim links this engine to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and a
standard symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD)
system.This powertrain really doesn’t have a lot going for it other than its 1,500 pounds of towing capability. It’s a sluggish accelerator, taking 8 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. If you’re not a fan of the way the CVT feels, the Sport and Touring trims feature a “manual” drive mode meant to feel like a 7-speed transmission with paddle shifters.
The 2019 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen was available with two engines. Front-wheel drive versions came with a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four with 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The SportWagen S 4Motion AWD model features a 168-horsepower 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-four with 199 pound-feet of torque. This upgraded engine beats the Forester’s 0 to 60 time by an entire second.
The VW Golf SportWagen was available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic. It’s not rated for towing, but it’s an entirely more fun car to drive than the Subaru Forester, handling much the same as the regular beloved Golf hatchback.
Fuel economy
Between these two models, the powertrain that gets the best fuel economy is the SportWagen’s 1.4-liter engine with FWD and manual transmission. This configuration gets 29 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.
However, if you want all-wheel drive, the 2019 Subaru Forester offers better fuel economy, getting 26/33 mpg (city/highway). The VW Golf SportWagen S 4Motion only gets 22/31 mpg (city/hwy) with manual transmission. Automatic transmission reduces highway efficiency to 29 mpg.
Safety
Both of these vehicles received five-star overall crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, while both only received a 4 out of 5 rollover rating, the VW Golf SportWagen also lost a single point on its frontal crash rating.
However, it’s only the 2019 Subaru Forester that received accolades from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), being named a 2019 Top Safety Pick+.
Tech
Driver assistance technology was included with the base 2019 Forester model, but it only came as part of an optional package on the Volkswagen. Adaptive cruise control is also only included with the top-trim SportWagen SE, but it’s included in the price of the standard Forester.
Both models include standard smartphone connectivity. Both were offered with a standard entertainment system that had six speakers controlled by a 6.5-inch display screen, and both were available with 8-inch upgrades.
As you go up the trim levels, the Forester added 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, leather seating, the DriverFocus distraction mitigation system, and power front seats, to name a few premium features.
Upgraded versions of the Golf SportWagen got Leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, fog lights, and a panoramic sunroof.
Interior and comfort
We’ve already mentioned that there’s more space overall for passengers and/or cargo in the 2019 Subaru Forester, but the VW Golf SportWagen’s interior materials are of a noticeably higher quality. Even the standard cloth seats are extremely comfortable on the SportWagen.
On the other hand the Forester’s interior feels a bit cheaper, but still delivers all the comforts and features that you’d expect from an SUV of this caliber. The higher trims of the 2019 Forester are more on par with the Volkswagen in terms of interior quality and comfort.
Winner: Subaru Forester
There’s not a lot between the 2019 Subaru Forester and the 2019 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, but we have to pick the Forester as our winner thanks to its standard all-wheel drive and driver assistance tech, superior safety ratings, towing capability, and AWD fuel efficiency.
However, if you’re already partial to the VW Golf and just need something with a bit more space, it’s decidedly more fun to drive—especially with the efficient FWD + manual transmission configuration.
How to save on Subaru insurance costs
Whether you decide to drive a Subaru or a Volkswagen, you’ll end up with lower
car insurance
costs than the national average. These savings come courtesy of great safety ratings, affordable maintenance costs, and the fact that smaller vehicles are cheaper to insure. But you’ll be saving even more by using the Jerry
app!The best way to get the best price on anything you buy is to make sure you have a complete idea of which company is offering the product with the best value! Of course, that’s easier said than done when it comes to shopping for
car insurance quotes online
.With Jerry, you can always be sure that you know you’re getting the best price on your premium. Jerry automatically searches for custom quotes in real time from over 55 top insurers, sorting through them to show you the ones offering the most competitive prices and coverage quality. Thanks to Jerry’s trusted comparison shopping process, our users save $800+ annually on their car insurance premiums!
“After signing up withJerry, I went from $199/month to $97/month for my car insurance. My 2019 Subaru Forester now has full coverage for a great price!” —Rhonda H.
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