2026 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Subaru Forester

$28,145 · Crossover

$29,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Trying to decide between the practical, efficient 2026 Ford Maverick and the capable 2026 Subaru Forester often comes down to priorities: fuel economy versus standard capability. If maximizing your miles per gallon is paramount, the Maverick pulls significantly ahead, boasting a remarkable 38 combined MPG compared to the Forester’s 29 combined MPG—a full 9 MPG advantage. However, the Forester offers a slightly higher MSRP at $29,995 versus the Maverick's $28,145 and comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, while the Maverick utilizes Front-Wheel Drive. Measuring space, the Maverick is longer at 199.8 inches, which might appeal to those prioritizing overall length over the Forester's dedicated 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space. The Maverick also offers a slight edge in power output with 191 hp versus the Forester's 180 hp, making it slightly punchier off the line.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Ford Maverick

The Maverick is the definitive winner for commuters due to its superior combined MPG of 38 versus the Forester's 29.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Subaru Forester

The Forester is better suited for families prioritizing sure-footedness with its standard All-Wheel Drive system.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Ford Maverick

Enthusiasts will favor the Maverick for its higher 191 hp output compared to the Forester's 180 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Ford Maverick

The Maverick offers better long-term value through significantly lower running costs, highlighted by the 9 MPG efficiency gap.

Choose the Ford Maverick if...

Your primary concern is saving money at the pump, benefiting from 38 combined MPG.
You prefer the slightly higher output of 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque.
You need the longer overall vehicle footprint at 199.8 inches for certain parking or maneuvering needs.

Choose the Subaru Forester if...

You live in areas requiring year-round traction due to the standard All-Wheel Drive.
You need a specific, usable cargo volume, where the Forester offers 29.6 cu ft.
You prefer a vehicle with higher torque (178 lb-ft) for towing or low-speed pulling power.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Ford Maverick	Subaru Forester
Length	199.8"	183.3"
Width	72.6"	72.0"
Height	68.8"	68.1"
Wheelbase	121.1"	105.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Ford	Subaru
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
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 Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Ford	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	hybrid	gas
Horsepower	191 hp @ 5600 rpm	180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	155 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 3700 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	Ford	Subaru
Transmission Type	electrically variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Ford	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	42/35 MPG	26/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	38 MPG	29 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	579.6/483.0 mi.	431.6/547.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.8 gal.	16.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Ford	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	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Ford	Subaru
Infotainment Display	13.2 in	7.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	4
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Ford	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	1	1
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Ford	Subaru
Front Head Room	40.2 in.	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	42.8 in.	43.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.3 in.	57.7 in.
Front Hip Room	55.4 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	Ford	Subaru
Rear Head Room	39.6 in.	39.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.9 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	56.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.1 in.	53.7 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Ford	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Steel	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P225/65R17	225/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Size	—	17 x 7.0 in

Suspension

Feature	Ford	Subaru
Front Suspension Type	Independent	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Ford	Subaru
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	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Ford Maverick and 2026 Subaru Forester.

How much better is the fuel economy between the 2026 Maverick and the 2026 Forester?

The Ford Maverick leads significantly, offering 38 combined MPG. This is a substantial improvement over the Subaru Forester, which manages only 29 combined MPG, giving the Maverick a 9 MPG advantage for daily driving savings.

Does the Maverick come standard with AWD like the Forester?

No, the 2026 Ford Maverick comes standard with Front-Wheel Drive (FWD). In contrast, the 2026 Subaru Forester includes All-Wheel Drive (AWD) as a standard feature across all trims, which is a key difference for drivers needing maximum traction.

Which vehicle has better on-paper power output?

The 2026 Ford Maverick technically has more horsepower at 191 hp compared to the Forester's 180 hp. However, the Forester counters with more torque at 178 lb-ft versus the Maverick's 155 lb-ft.

How do their physical sizes compare, specifically length?

The 2026 Ford Maverick is physically longer than the Forester, measuring 199.8 inches from bumper to bumper. The 2026 Subaru Forester is the shorter of the two at 183.3 inches in length.

Is there a big difference in their starting prices?

Yes, the 2026 Ford Maverick has a lower starting MSRP of $28,145. The 2026 Subaru Forester starts slightly higher at $29,995, meaning you pay more upfront for the Forester's standard AWD capability.

Which vehicle has more dedicated cargo space?

While the Maverick is longer overall, the provided specification for the 2026 Subaru Forester lists a specific cargo capacity of 29.6 cubic feet, which is a vital metric for utility.