2025 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Chevrolet Trax
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Subaru Forester charges into the compact crossover segment with its robust standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a respectable 180 horsepower, appealing to those who value capability over absolute flash. Conversely, the 2026 Chevrolet Trax grabs attention with its startlingly low $21,600 MSRP, making entry into modern SUV styling remarkably accessible. While the Forester offers superior power and drivetrain security (AWD), the Trax counters with slightly better fuel efficiency, netting 30 MPG combined versus the Forester's 29 MPG. Performance junkies will note the Forester's significant 43 hp advantage over the Trax's 137 hp, although the Forester also commands an $8,395 premium over the Chevrolet's entry price. The Subaru provides more physical presence at 183.3 inches long and boasts 29.6 cu ft of cargo space, edging out the Trax's slightly smaller dimensions and 25.6 cu ft capacity.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Chevrolet Trax
The 2026 Chevrolet Trax wins for commuters due to its lower MSRP of $21,600 and marginally better combined fuel economy at 30 MPG.
2025 Subaru Forester
The 2025 Subaru Forester is the choice for families needing more space, offering 29.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Trax's 25.6 cu ft.
2025 Subaru Forester
Enthusiasts will prefer the Forester's substantial 180 hp output and standard All-Wheel Drive for spirited driving dynamics.
2026 Chevrolet Trax
The Chevrolet Trax provides unbeatable value by undercutting the Forester's price by $8,395.
Choose the Subaru Forester if...
- You require superior foul-weather traction provided by standard All-Wheel Drive.
- You prioritize driving engagement with 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque.
- Maximum utility is crucial, as the Forester offers 29.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
Choose the Chevrolet Trax if...
- Budget is the primary concern, given the Trax's competitive $21,600 starting MSRP.
- You prefer a slightly more city-friendly 28 MPG rating in the daily stop-and-go driving.
- You want the benefit of a modern, smaller crossover experience at 178.6 inches in length.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Subaru Forester | Chevrolet Trax |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.3" | 178.6" |
| Width | 72.0" | 71.8" |
| Height | 68.1" | 61.4" |
| Wheelbase | 105.1" | 106.0" |
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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Subaru | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 1.2 L |
| Number of Cylinders | flat 4 | inline 3 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | flex-fuel (FFV) |
| Horsepower | 180 hp @ 5800 rpm | 137 hp @ 5000 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm | 162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 12 |
| 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 | 6-speed shiftable 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 | 28/32 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 29 MPG | 30 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 431.6/547.8 mi. | 369.6/422.4 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.6 gal. | 13.2 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Subaru | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 4 | 4 |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Subaru | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.2 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.3 in. | 41.9 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 55.7 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.7 in. | 52.1 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 | Subaru | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.6 in. | 38.1 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.4 in. | 38.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.7 in. | 54.3 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.7 in. | 45.8 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Subaru | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Steel |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.0 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/60R H | 225/60R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Cover Type | — | Full |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 17 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Subaru | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | — |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Front Suspension Type | — | Independent |
| 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 Trax.
What is the main performance difference between the 2025 Forester and the 2026 Trax?
The 2025 Subaru Forester delivers significantly more power with 180 horsepower, dwarfing the 2026 Chevrolet Trax's 137 horsepower output. Furthermore, the Forester includes standard All-Wheel Drive, whereas the Trax is Front Wheel Drive only.
How do these crossovers compare in terms of size and cargo hauling?
The Forester is the larger vehicle, measuring 183.3 inches long and offering 29.6 cu ft for cargo. The Trax is more compact at 178.6 inches long and provides 25.6 cu ft of storage space.
Which vehicle is more budget-friendly for initial purchase?
The 2026 Chevrolet Trax is vastly more affordable, starting at an MSRP of $21,600. This presents an $8,395 saving compared to the 2025 Subaru Forester, which begins at $29,995.
Is the fuel economy significantly different between the two models?
The fuel economy figures are very close, with the Trax achieving 30 MPG combined versus the Forester's 29 MPG combined. The Trax edges out a slight advantage in city driving with 28 MPG versus the Forester's 26 MPG.
What transmission types are offered in these models?
The 2025 Forester utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission for its power delivery. In contrast, the 2026 Trax features a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
Do both vehicles require premium fuel?
No, both the 2025 Subaru Forester and the 2026 Chevrolet Trax are engineered to run efficiently on regular unleaded fuel.
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