2025 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Chevrolet Equinox

$29,995 · Crossover

$28,600 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the freshly redesigned 2025 Subaru Forester and the all-new 2026 Chevrolet Equinox comes down to prioritizing all-weather confidence versus upfront savings. Many shoppers struggle when comparing AWD capability against lower purchase price. The Equinox edges out the Forester slightly on cargo space, offering 29.8 cubic feet versus the Forester's 29.6 cubic feet, and boasts a lower starting MSRP of $28,600 compared to the Forester's $29,995. However, the Subaru immediately defends its price point with standard All-Wheel Drive, whereas the base Equinox is FWD. While the Equinox generates slightly less horsepower at 175 hp versus the Forester's 180 hp, it nearly matches it in torque (184 lb-ft vs. 178 lb-ft). Fuel economy is surprisingly close, with the Forester achieving a better combined 29 MPG compared to the Equinox's 27 MPG combined, making the Forester slightly cheaper to run.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Subaru Forester

The 2025 Forester wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 29 MPG and standard AWD for poor weather handling.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2026 Equinox narrowly wins for families because it offers slightly more cargo space at 29.8 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Subaru Forester

Enthusiasts will prefer the Forester because its standard All-Wheel Drive system typically offers better dynamic capability than the Equinox's base FWD setup.

💰 Best Value

2026 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2026 Equinox takes the value crown thanks to its significantly lower base MSRP of $28,600.

Choose the Subaru Forester if...

You require standard All-Wheel Drive capability right out of the box, unlike the Equinox's base FWD.
Fuel efficiency matters, as the Forester achieves 29 MPG combined versus the Equinox's 27 MPG.
You prefer a slightly taller vehicle stance, as the Forester sits at 68.1 inches high.

Choose the Chevrolet Equinox if...

Your primary concern is the initial purchase price, as the Equinox starts $1,395 cheaper at $28,600.
You need the absolute maximum cargo room, benefiting from 29.8 cubic feet.
You value slightly higher torque (184 lb-ft) over horsepower for potential pulling power.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Subaru Forester	Chevrolet Equinox
Length	183.3"	183.2"
Width	72.0"	74.9"
Height	68.1"	65.6"
Wheelbase	105.1"	107.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Subaru	Chevrolet
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Subaru	Chevrolet
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	1.5 L
Number of Cylinders	flat 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	180 hp @ 5800 rpm	175 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	178 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm	184 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Subaru	Chevrolet
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—

Fuel

Feature	Subaru	Chevrolet
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/33 MPG	26/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	29 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	431.6/547.8 mi.	384.8/414.4 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.6 gal.	14.8 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Subaru	Chevrolet
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Push Button Start	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Cargo Floor Mats	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Subaru	Chevrolet
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	11.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	4 months	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Subaru	Chevrolet
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Subaru	Chevrolet
Front Head Room	41.2 in.	40.0 in.
Front Leg Room	43.3 in.	40.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.7 in.	57.7 in.
Front Hip Room	54.7 in.	54.2 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
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Subaru	Chevrolet
Rear Head Room	39.6 in.	39.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.4 in.	39.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.7 in.	55.8 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.7 in.	51.7 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Subaru	Chevrolet
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/60R H	235/65R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Diameter	—	17 in

Suspension

Feature	Subaru	Chevrolet
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Subaru	Chevrolet
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	6 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	1 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Subaru Forester and 2026 Chevrolet Equinox.

Which crossover handles rough weather better, the 2025 Forester or the 2026 Equinox?

The 2025 Subaru Forester is the clear winner here because it comes standard with symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The base 2026 Chevrolet Equinox ships standard with Front-Wheel Drive, meaning you might need to pay extra for the AWD upgrade.

How much more expensive is the standard 2025 Subaru Forester?

The Forester has a higher starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) at $29,995. This is $1,395 more than the 2026 Equinox's base MSRP of $28,600, although the Forester includes AWD standard.

Is there a big difference in power output between these two crossovers?

The difference is minimal; the Forester produces 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, while the Equinox offers 175 horsepower but slightly more torque at 184 lb-ft, suggesting similar driving dynamics overall.

Which car offers more interior storage space for groceries and gear?

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox holds a very slight edge in maximum cargo capacity, providing 29.8 cubic feet. The 2025 Subaru Forester is right behind it with 29.6 cubic feet, so the difference is negligible in real-world use.

How do their fuel economies compare for daily driving?

The Forester is marginally more efficient on paper, achieving 29 MPG combined (26 city/33 highway). The Equinox is rated at 27 MPG combined (26 city/28 highway), meaning the Forester should cost slightly less over the long run.