2025 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Nissan Rogue
Comparison Overview
The battle between the 2025 Subaru Forester and the 2026 Nissan Rogue pits rugged capability against spirited efficiency. The Forester grips the road with standard All-Wheel Drive and boasts a robust 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, ready for whatever the weather brings, packaged in a tall 68.1-inch frame. Conversely, the Rogue leaps ahead with a muscular 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque, offering superior acceleration right off the line while achieving an excellent 32 MPG combined rating compared to the Forester's 29 MPG combined. Starting slightly cheaper at $29,090 versus the Forester's $29,995, the Rogue manages to slightly edge out the Subaru in passenger space efficiency, despite the Forester having a marginally taller stance for improved ground clearance potential. This contest boils down to whether the buyer prioritizes proven AWD assurance or superior base power figures and efficiency.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Nissan Rogue
The 2026 Nissan Rogue wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 32 MPG combined versus the Forester's 29 MPG.
2026 Nissan Rogue
The Rogue offers greater utility with a larger 31.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Forester's 29.6 cubic feet.
2026 Nissan Rogue
The Rogue delivers a noticeably peppier performance advantage with 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque.
2026 Nissan Rogue
The Rogue presents better overall packaging, costing $905 less while providing significantly more horsepower and better fuel economy.
Choose the Subaru Forester if...
- You require standard All-Wheel Drive capability right out of the box for adverse weather conditions.
- You prefer the commanding view and interior headroom offered by the Forester's 68.1-inch height.
- You want the reassurance of proven, symmetrical grip that Subaru's AWD system inherently delivers.
Choose the Nissan Rogue if...
- You prioritize outright acceleration, benefitting from the Rogue's substantial 21 hp advantage (201 hp vs. 180 hp).
- Maximizing fuel efficiency is critical, as the Rogue achieves 36 highway MPG versus 33 highway MPG for the Forester.
- You need the most interior storage space, with the Rogue offering 31.6 cu ft compared to 29.6 cu ft.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Subaru Forester | Nissan Rogue |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.3" | 183.0" |
| Width | 72.0" | 72.4" |
| Height | 68.1" | 66.5" |
| Wheelbase | 105.1" | 106.5" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Subaru | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blind Spot Monitor | — | ✓ |
| Front Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Subaru | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | flat 4 | inline 3 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 180 hp @ 5800 rpm | 201 hp @ 5600 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm | 225 lb-ft @ 2800 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 | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 26/33 MPG | 29/36 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 29 MPG | 32 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 431.6/547.8 mi. | 420.5/522.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.6 gal. | 14.5 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Subaru | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Subaru | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Subaru | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 1 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Subaru | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.2 in. | 41.1 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.3 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 57.1 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.7 in. | 54.1 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 | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.6 in. | 39.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.4 in. | 38.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.7 in. | 55.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.7 in. | 53.4 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
| Folding Rear Seat Feature | — | ✓ |
| Pass-Thru Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Subaru | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.0 in | 17 x 7.5 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 Material | — | Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Subaru | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Subaru | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Subaru Forester and 2026 Nissan Rogue.
Which crossover is more powerful, the 2025 Forester or the 2026 Rogue?
The 2026 Nissan Rogue is the significantly more potent option, boasting 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This beats the 2025 Subaru Forester, which produces 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque.
How do the MPG ratings compare between these two all-wheel-drive focused crossovers?
The Forester comes standard with AWD and achieves 29 MPG combined. While the Rogue has FWD standard, its efficiency leads when comparing combined metrics, hitting 32 MPG, and offering better highway cruising at 36 MPG.
Is there a significant difference in price between the base models?
Yes, the 2026 Nissan Rogue has a slight edge in initial cost, listed at $29,090 compared to the 2025 Subaru Forester's MSRP of $29,995.
Does one offer substantially more cargo room for hauling gear?
The 2026 Nissan Rogue provides slightly more usable space, quoting 31.6 cubic feet for cargo capacity. The 2025 Subaru Forester offers a respectable 29.6 cubic feet.
What is the key distinction in their driving hardware?
The Forester exclusively utilizes Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive for enhanced traction in poor conditions. In contrast, the Rogue comes standard with Front Wheel Drive, although AWD is likely available on higher trims.
How do the exterior dimensions compare between the two models?
The vehicles are almost identical in footprint, with the Forester being slightly taller at 68.1 inches versus the Rogue’s 66.5 inches. The Rogue is fractionally wider at 72.4 inches compared to the Forester's 72.0 inches.
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