2026 Chevrolet Trax vs 2026 Subaru Forester

$21,600 · Crossover

$29,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the budget-friendly 2026 Chevrolet Trax and the slightly pricier 2026 Subaru Forester often comes down to prioritizing savings versus capability. The Trax starts at a very appealing MSRP of $21,600, undercutting the Forester's $29,995 price by a significant $8,395, which immediately appeals to budget-conscious buyers. However, that extra investment buys the Forester standard All-Wheel Drive and a boost in performance, offering 180 hp compared to the Trax's 137 hp. While the Trax slightly wins on efficiency with 30 combined MPG versus the Forester's 29, the Forester provides more practical space, boasting 29.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Trax's 25.6 cu ft. For city dwellers focused purely on cost, the Trax shines; for those needing more ground clearance and confident traction, the Forester presents a compelling, albeit pricier, alternative.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Chevrolet Trax

The lower starting price of $21,600 and marginally better combined MPG of 30 make the Trax the more economical choice for daily commuting.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Subaru Forester

The Forester's superior height (68.1 inches) and larger 29.6 cu ft cargo capacity offer better practicality for hauling families and gear.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Subaru Forester

With 43 more horsepower (180 hp vs 137 hp) and standard AWD, the Forester delivers a more engaging and capable driving experience.

💰 Best Value

2026 Chevrolet Trax

The Trax provides excellent utility at its low $21,600 entry point, offering the best price-to-size ratio.

Choose the Chevrolet Trax if...

Your absolute maximum budget is under $22,000, given the $21,600 MSRP.
You prioritize saving on fuel, as the Trax achieves 30 combined MPG.
You primarily drive in dry, urban environments where All-Wheel Drive isn't necessary.

Choose the Subaru Forester if...

You need the traction advantage of standard All-Wheel Drive.
You frequently carry large items, utilizing the Forester's superior 29.6 cu ft of cargo space.
You want more power for highway merging, benefiting from the Forester's 180 horsepower.

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 2026 Chevrolet Trax and 2026 Subaru Forester.

How much more is the 2026 Subaru Forester compared to the 2026 Chevy Trax?

The Forester has a significantly higher starting MSRP of $29,995, meaning it costs $8,395 more than the Trax's $21,600 base price.

Which vehicle is better on gas for highway driving?

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax is slightly more efficient on the highway, rated at 32 MPG highway, compared to the Forester's 33 MPG highway rating.

If I need more power, which crossover should I choose?

The Forester is the clear winner for power, offering 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, substantially more than the Trax's 137 hp and 162 lb-ft.

Does the difference in size matter for cargo?

Yes, the Forester is physically larger and offers more storage, providing 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space versus the Trax's 25.6 cubic feet.

Are these vehicles similar in size, despite the price difference?

The Forester is larger overall; for example, its height is 68.1 inches, making it nearly 7 inches taller than the Trax's 61.4 inches.

Which car uses a traditional geared automatic transmission?

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax is equipped with a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, whereas the Forester utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT).