2025 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the practical stalwart, the 2025 Subaru Forester, and the aggressively priced 2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross often boils down to balancing power and price. Many buyers wrestle with whether the Forester's extra capability justifies its higher starting MSRP of $29,995 compared to the Eclipse Cross at $27,695. The Forester pulls ahead on efficiency, achieving 29 MPG combined, slightly better than the Eclipse Cross's 26 MPG combined rating. However, power delivery is a key difference: the Forester offers 180 horsepower, easily outpacing the Eclipse Cross's 152 horsepower. While the Eclipse Cross has a slight torque advantage at 184 lb-ft versus the Forester's 178 lb-ft, the Forester’s larger frame offers significantly more utility, boasting 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the Mitsubishi's 23.4 cubic feet. Both share standard All-Wheel Drive, making both capable choices for adverse weather.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Subaru Forester
The 2025 Forester offers superior fuel economy, achieving 33 MPG on the highway versus the Eclipse Cross's 28 MPG highway rating.
2025 Subaru Forester
With 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space, the Forester provides significantly more room for family gear than the Eclipse Cross's 23.4 cubic feet.
2025 Subaru Forester
The Forester provides noticeably more pulling power with 180 horsepower compared to the Eclipse Cross's 152 horsepower output.
2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
The 2026 Eclipse Cross is the better value proposition, starting $2,200 cheaper than the Forester while still including standard All-Wheel Drive.
Choose the Subaru Forester if...
- You frequently haul bulky items and need the maximum available cargo space of 29.6 cubic feet.
- You prioritize having more responsive acceleration from the 180 horsepower engine.
- You want the slight edge in fuel efficiency with a combined 29 MPG.
Choose the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross if...
- Sticking close to the $27,695 MSRP is a primary concern for your budget.
- You prefer slightly more low-end pulling force, indicated by its 184 lb-ft of torque.
- You value a slightly smaller footprint, as the Eclipse Cross is about 4.3 inches shorter in length.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Subaru Forester | Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.3" | 179.0" |
| Width | 72.0" | 71.1" |
| Height | 68.1" | 66.5" |
| Wheelbase | 105.1" | 105.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Subaru | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Subaru | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 152 hp @ 5500 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 | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | Limited Slip | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | Subaru | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 26/33 MPG | 25/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 29 MPG | 26 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 431.6/547.8 mi. | 395.0/442.4 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.6 gal. | 15.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Subaru | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Subaru | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Subaru | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 1 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Subaru | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.2 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.3 in. | 40.9 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 56.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.7 in. | 53.0 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 | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.6 in. | 37.3 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.4 in. | 37.1 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.7 in. | 55.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.7 in. | 52.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Subaru | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.0 in | 16 x 6.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/60R H | 215/70R16 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Subaru | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Subaru | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 30000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Subaru Forester and 2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
How does the horsepower difference between the two crossovers practically translate on the road?
The 2025 Forester has 180 horsepower, giving it a clear 28 hp advantage over the 152 hp Eclipse Cross. This means the Forester will likely feel peppier during highway merging and passing maneuvers, despite both using CVTs.
Is the extra cost of the Subaru Forester worth the increased cargo capacity?
The Forester commands a $29,995 MSRP compared to $27,695 for the Mitsubishi. If you need that extra 6.2 cubic feet of cargo space (29.6 vs 23.4 cu ft), the Subaru delivers substantial utility for the added initial expense.
Which vehicle is marginally more fuel-efficient for long highway commutes?
The Subaru Forester has better highway mileage, achieving 33 MPG, compared to the Eclipse Cross's 28 MPG highway rating. This efficiency gain helps offset the Forester's slightly higher price point over the long haul.
Since both have AWD, are their capabilities similar in rough weather?
Both vehicles feature standard All-Wheel Drive, which is excellent for stability in snow or rain. While the Forester is slightly taller at 68.1 inches, the provided specifications don't detail ground clearance for deeper off-road comparison.
Who wins on torque, and does it matter more than horsepower here?
The 2026 Eclipse Cross technically wins on peak torque with 184 lb-ft compared to the Forester's 178 lb-ft. While this provides a slight edge at lower speeds, the Forester's significant horsepower advantage likely makes it feel stronger overall.
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