2025 Chevrolet Trax vs 2025 Subaru Forester
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the budget-friendly 2025 Chevrolet Trax and the more capable 2025 Subaru Forester can be tough when both are practical crossovers. If your main concern is minimizing the initial outlay, the Trax is $9,495 cheaper, starting at just $20,500, making it an immediate budget winner. However, the Forester offers significantly more hustle, boasting 180 horsepower compared to the Trax's 137 hp, which might matter when merging onto the highway. Despite the power gap, the Trax pulls ahead slightly on fuel economy, achieving 30 combined MPG versus the Forester's 29 MPG. For sheer utility, the Forester is larger in every dimension and offers 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space, significantly more than the Trax's 25.6 cu ft. Your decision hinges on whether the extra cost buys you necessary performance and size, or if keeping that extra $9,495 in your pocket is the top priority.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Chevrolet Trax
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax wins for commuters due to its lower initial MSRP of $20,500 and slightly better combined fuel economy at 30 MPG.
2025 Subaru Forester
The 2025 Subaru Forester is the better choice for families because its larger dimensions provide 29.6 cu ft of cargo space and standard All-Wheel Drive capability.
2025 Subaru Forester
Enthusiasts will prefer the 2025 Subaru Forester, as it delivers an extra 43 horsepower (180 hp total) and comes standard with AWD.
2025 Chevrolet Trax
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax offers superior upfront value by being $9,495 less expensive than its competitor.
Choose the Chevrolet Trax if...
- Your absolute top priority is keeping the purchase price under $21,000.
- You mainly drive in dry, predictable conditions and do not need AWD.
- You value marginally better fuel efficiency, getting 32 MPG on the highway.
Choose the Subaru Forester if...
- You frequently drive in inclement weather and require standard All-Wheel Drive.
- You need maximum utility, benefiting from 29.6 cu ft of cargo space.
- You prioritize better acceleration and highway passing power from the 180 horsepower engine.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Chevrolet Trax | Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 178.6" | 183.3" |
| Width | 71.8" | 72.0" |
| Height | 61.4" | 68.1" |
| Wheelbase | 106.0" | 105.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Chevrolet | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 3 |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Chevrolet | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.2 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 3 | flat 4 |
| Base Engine Type | flex-fuel (FFV) | gas |
| Horsepower | 137 hp @ 5000 rpm | 180 hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm | 178 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 12 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Chevrolet | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 6-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | Chevrolet | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 28/32 MPG | 26/33 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 29 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 369.6/422.4 mi. | 431.6/547.8 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.2 gal. | 16.6 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Chevrolet | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Chevrolet | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 7.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 4 | 4 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | — |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Length | — | 4 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Chevrolet | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Chevrolet | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.6 in. | 41.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.9 in. | 43.3 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 55.7 in. | 57.7 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 52.1 in. | 54.7 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Chevrolet | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.1 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.7 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 54.3 in. | 56.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 45.8 in. | 53.7 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Chevrolet | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Steel | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Cover Type | Full | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/60R17 | 225/60R H |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Size | — | 17 x 7.0 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Chevrolet | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension Type | Independent | — |
| Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | — | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Chevrolet | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 6 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Chevrolet Trax and 2025 Subaru Forester.
Is the 2025 Forester significantly bigger than the 2025 Trax?
Yes, the Forester is noticeably larger; it is 4.7 inches longer and 1.7 inches taller than the Trax. This results in substantially more utility, offering 29.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Trax's 25.6 cu ft.
How much more power does the Forester offer?
The 2025 Subaru Forester boasts 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, giving it a considerable advantage over the Trax's 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque.
Which vehicle is more budget-friendly upfront?
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax is the clear winner here, with an MSRP starting at $20,500, which is exactly $9,495 less than the Forester's $29,995 starting price.
Do these vehicles use different types of transmissions?
They do; the Trax uses a conventional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, while the Forester utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT).
Is the Trax substantially better on gas than the Forester?
The difference is minimal; the Trax achieves a combined 30 MPG using regular unleaded fuel, whereas the Forester achieves 29 combined MPG, but the Forester is superior on the highway at 33 MPG.
Why does the Forester cost almost $9,500 more than the Trax?
The higher price of the Forester reflects its standard All-Wheel Drive system, greater engine output (180 hp), and larger overall footprint and cargo capacity compared to the FWD-only Trax.
More Budget SUVs Under $30,000
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool