2026 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the 2026 Subaru Forester and the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross often boils down to prioritizing rugged capability versus upfront savings. If you need to conquer tough weather or light trails, the Forester’s standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and 180 hp engine give it an edge, despite its slightly lower combined fuel economy of 29 MPG compared to the Corolla Cross’s 32 MPG. However, the Corolla Cross immediately saves you $5,060, starting at just $24,935 versus the Forester's $29,995 MSRP. While the Forester offers more space with 29.6 cu ft of cargo volume versus the Corolla Cross’s 24 cu ft, the Corolla Cross remains smaller overall at 176.1 inches long, potentially easing tight city parking. Ultimately, one delivers robust utility for $5,060 more, while the other focuses intensely on maximizing efficiency and minimizing initial outlay.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
The Corolla Cross is the clear winner for daily commuting due to its superior combined MPG rating of 32, which will save money over the long haul.
2026 Subaru Forester
The Forester is better suited for families needing space, offering 29.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Corolla Cross's 24 cu ft.
2026 Subaru Forester
The Forester appeals more to enthusiasts with its standard AWD system and slightly higher output of 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque.
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
The Corolla Cross provides excellent entry-level crossover utility while saving buyers a substantial $5,060 in upfront MSRP costs.
Choose the Subaru Forester if...
- You regularly drive in snow, rain, or on unpaved roads, as it includes standard All-Wheel Drive.
- You require maximum storage, benefiting from 29.6 cu ft of cargo capacity for gear or luggage.
- You prefer the slightly more powerful engine offering 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque.
Choose the Toyota Corolla Cross if...
- Your main goal is maximum fuel efficiency, reflected in its 32 combined MPG rating.
- Saving money upfront is critical, given the $5,060 lower starting MSRP of $24,935.
- You value maneuverability in urban settings, being 7.2 inches shorter in overall length than the Forester.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Subaru Forester | Toyota Corolla Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.3" | 176.1" |
| Width | 72.0" | 71.9" |
| Height | 68.1" | 64.9" |
| Wheelbase | 105.1" | 103.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | flat 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 180 hp @ 5800 rpm | 169 hp @ 6600 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm | 151 lb-ft @ 4400 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 | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 26/33 MPG | 31/33 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 29 MPG | 32 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 431.6/547.8 mi. | 384.4/409.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.6 gal. | 12.4 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 4 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | With Real Time Traffic |
| 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 | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | — |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.2 in. | 38.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.3 in. | 42.9 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 52.7 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.7 in. | 52.6 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 | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.6 in. | 39.0 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.4 in. | 32.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.7 in. | 52.4 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.7 in. | 43.8 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.0 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/60R H | P215/65R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | — |
| Wheel Material | — | Steel |
| Wheel Cover Type | — | Full |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 17 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | — |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Suspension Type | — | Independent |
Warranty
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2026 Subaru Forester and 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross.
Is the $5,060 price difference between the two crossovers justified by the Subaru Forester's features?
The Forester commands a $5,060 higher MSRP, largely because it includes standard All-Wheel Drive and provides more space, boasting 29.6 cu ft of cargo volume versus the Corolla Cross’s 24 cu ft. Whether it's justified depends entirely on your need for AWD and extra capacity.
Which vehicle is significantly better on gas for highway driving?
Both vehicles achieve the same 33 MPG on the highway, but the Toyota Corolla Cross wins marginally in combined driving (32 MPG vs. 29 MPG) and city driving (31 MPG vs. 26 MPG). This efficiency difference stems from the Forester’s standard AWD system.
If I live in a tight city, which vehicle is easier to park?
The Toyota Corolla Cross is the smaller vehicle overall, measuring 176.1 inches long compared to the Forester's 183.3 inches. Its smaller footprint, combined with a slightly lower height of 64.9 inches, generally makes it more agile for dense parking situations.
How much more power does the 2026 Subaru Forester offer over the Toyota Corolla Cross?
The Forester has a noticeable power advantage, delivering 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, whereas the Corolla Cross produces 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. This extra output contributes to the Forester’s slightly reduced fuel economy.
Do either of these vehicles require premium fuel?
No, both the 2026 Subaru Forester and the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross use regular unleaded fuel, which helps keep running costs low across both platforms.
Are the transmissions similar in these two crossovers?
Yes, both vehicles utilize a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT). This similarity means both offer smooth, gearless acceleration profiles, though the engine tuning dictates the overall feel.
More Budget SUVs Under $30,000
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool