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The ultimate showdown: subaru forester vs toyota highlander – which one’s right for you?

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to...

What To Know

  • The Forester’s four-cylinder engine gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while the six-cylinder engine gets 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
  • The Highlander’s four-cylinder engine gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, while the six-cylinder engine gets 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
  • The Highlander is a good choice for buyers who want a spacious and well-equipped SUV with a powerful engine.

The Subaru Forester and Toyota Highlander are two of the most popular SUVs on the market, and for good reason. Both vehicles offer a spacious interior, plenty of features, and all-wheel drive. But which one is the right choice for you? To help you decide, we’ve compared the Subaru Forester vs. Toyota Highlander in a number of key areas.

Performance

The Subaru Forester and Toyota Highlander offer similar performance, with both vehicles offering a choice of four-cylinder or six-cylinder engines. The Forester’s four-cylinder engine produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, while the six-cylinder engine produces 250 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque. The Highlander’s four-cylinder engine produces 185 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, while the six-cylinder engine produces 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque.

In terms of fuel economy, the Forester has a slight edge over the Highlander. The Forester’s four-cylinder engine gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while the six-cylinder engine gets 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The Highlander’s four-cylinder engine gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, while the six-cylinder engine gets 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Interior

The Subaru Forester and Toyota Highlander offer spacious interiors with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. The Forester has a total of 111.9 cubic feet of passenger space and 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats. The Highlander has a total of 138.4 cubic feet of passenger space and 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of seats.

In terms of features, the Forester and Highlander offer a similar level of equipment. Both vehicles come standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, and a rearview camera. The Forester offers a few more standard features than the Highlander, such as heated front seats and a sunroof.

Safety

The Subaru Forester and Toyota Highlander have both been awarded five-star safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Both vehicles also come standard with a variety of safety features, such as airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control.

In addition to its standard safety features, the Forester offers a number of available safety features, such as blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Highlander also offers a number of available safety features, such as a pre-collision system, pedestrian detection, and lane keeping assist.

Price

The Subaru Forester has a starting price of $24,495, while the Toyota Highlander has a starting price of $34,650. The Forester is available in five trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring. The Highlander is available in six trim levels: L, LE, XLE, Limited, Limited Platinum, and Hybrid.

Which One Is Right for You?

The Subaru Forester and Toyota Highlander are both excellent SUVs that offer a lot of value for the money. The Forester is a good choice for buyers who want a spacious and fuel-efficient SUV with a low starting price. The Highlander is a good choice for buyers who want a spacious and well-equipped SUV with a powerful engine.

Final Verdict

The Subaru Forester and Toyota Highlander are both excellent SUVs that offer a lot of value for the money. The Forester is a good choice for buyers who want a spacious and fuel-efficient SUV with a low starting price. The Highlander is a good choice for buyers who want a spacious and well-equipped SUV with a powerful engine.

Questions You May Have

Q: Which SUV has more passenger space?

A: The Toyota Highlander has more passenger space than the Subaru Forester. The Highlander has a total of 138.4 cubic feet of passenger space, while the Forester has a total of 111.9 cubic feet of passenger space.

Q: Which SUV has more cargo space?

A: The Subaru Forester has more cargo space than the Toyota Highlander. The Forester has 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats, while the Highlander has 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of seats.

Q: Which SUV has a more powerful engine?

A: The Toyota Highlander has a more powerful engine than the Subaru Forester. The Highlander’s six-cylinder engine produces 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque, while the Forester’s six-cylinder engine produces 250 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque.

Q: Which SUV has a better fuel economy?

A: The Subaru Forester has a better fuel economy than the Toyota Highlander. The Forester’s four-cylinder engine gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while the Highlander’s four-cylinder engine gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

Q: Which SUV has a lower starting price?

A: The Subaru Forester has a lower starting price than the Toyota Highlander. The Forester has a starting price of $24,495, while the Highlander has a starting price of $34,650.

Mike Sullivan

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to guides and industry news updates. When he's not writing about Ford, you can find Mike cheering on his favorite NFL team at the local pub on game days.
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