2024 Subaru Crosstrek vs. Subaru Forester | Features & Specs Compared in Moline, IL

Are you interested in a five-passenger Subaru SUV, but need help narrowing down your choices? McLaughlin Subaru is here to help! We’ve put together this 2024 Subaru Crosstrek vs. Subaru Forester comparison to parse out the differences between these two Subaru SUVs. Read on to learn more!

If you’re interested in viewing one — or both — of these Subaru SUVs, check out our new Crosstrek inventory and new Forester inventory. Then, use our online form to schedule a test drive at our Moline, IL, dealership. If you have any questions, give us a call at (309) 726-4684 or message us online. Our Quad Cities dealership team is dedicated to serving residents of Bettendorf, IA, and Davenport, IA, and you can find us by checking our hours and directions page. 

New Subaru Forester Key Features

What are some key features of the new Subaru Forester? This Subaru SUV has a spacious, comfort-focused cabin with available heated front and rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, and up to 74.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats. 

You can learn more by heading over to our Forester review and pick out your favorite model from our Forester inventory. 

New Subaru Crosstrek Key Features

Turn to the new Subaru Crosstrek if you’re looking for a compact SUV with impressive infotainment technology options. The display set into the center console of the Crosstrek can be up to 11.6 inches when you choose a higher trim level. And you can seamlessly connect to this same display with wireless smartphone connectivity capabilities.

For more details, take a look at our Crosstrek review, then find the Crosstrek you love in our online inventory. 

Interior Features Compared

Recover from the day’s events inside either the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek or 2024 Subaru Forester thanks to the plush amenities within. Both SUVs offer an available ten-way power driver’s seat so you can adjust your seat to your ideal specifications. Front passengers can also find their most comfortable seating position with the eight-way power adjustability on the Forester or four-way manual adjustability on the Crosstrek. Fight back against the cold with heated front seats available on both SUVs. The Forester also offers heated rear outboard seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat passengers in the Forester can also find their ideal seating position with rear-seat recline, which is not available on the Crosstrek. Admire views of the sky and skyscrapers through the panoramic power moonroof standard across most of the Forester lineup or the optional power tilt/sliding moonroof offered on the Crosstrek. 

Cargo Space & Dimensions Available

While both Subaru SUVs offer ample space for their five passengers, as well as cargo, the Forester ultimately offers more space. Configure the 60/40-split flat-folding rear seats equipped to both SUVs to accommodate both passengers and cargo — or just cargo. The Forester offers some additional cargo solutions to make loading gear easier, including one-touch folding rear seatbacks and a power rear gate with automatic close, height memory settings, and a vehicle lock button. 

View interior dimensions in the accompanying table. 

Engine Options & Specs Compared

Whether you choose a 2024 Subaru Forester or 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, you’ll find engines with excellent fuel efficiency and light-duty towing capabilities. Also, both SUVs, as is the case with most Subaru vehicles, are equipped with symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD). Both also come with Lineartronic® CVT (continually variable transmission) with adaptive control. A small difference in performance capabilities is that the Crosstrek offers an eight-speed manual mode on most higher level trims, while it’s the reverse on the Forester — a seven-speed manual mode is offered with select higher level trims, with the exception of the Forester Wilderness trim, which comes with an eight-speed manual mode. 

View engine specs in the accompanying table.

Technology Features Compared

Modern technologies await you in either the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek or 2024 Subaru Forester. Use Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ to connect with the SUBARU STARLINK® infotainment system built into either SUV, with the Crosstrek offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Crosstrek offers the larger infotainment touchscreens no matter if you choose a base model or a higher level trim — it comes standard with dual 7-inch displays or offers an available 11.6-inch display, while the Forester instead has a standard 6.5-inch display or available 8-inch display. Audiophiles will appreciate the available Harman Kardon® premium audio system on either SUV, which has ten speakers on the Crosstrek and nine speakers on the Forester. 

Infotainment features available on both SUVs include:

• SUBARU STARLINK Multimedia, Multimedia Plus, or Multimedia Navigation
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• SiriusXM® Satellite Radio
• SiriusXM Traffic® and Travel Link®
• AM/FM stereo
• HD Radio™
• Dual USB input ports
• Bluetooth®
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi® capability
• Four- or six-speaker sound systems
• Harman Kardon premium audio system

Available Driver Assistance Safety Features

While the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek and Forester do offer several similar driver assist features, there are some distinct differences between the features available. Even though both come with an EyeSight® driver assist technology suite, you’ll find each EyeSight system offers unique capabilities. For example, the Crosstrek EyeSight suite includes pre-collision braking, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency steering, while the Forester EyeSight suite includes a pre-collision braking system and pre-collision throttle management. Both EyeSight systems also come with lane departure and sway warning and advanced adaptive cruise control with lane centering. 

Alert your fellow drivers to your presence with LED daytime running lights on the Forester or halogen daytime running lights on the Crosstrek. Other driver assist features offered on the Forester include a DriverFocus® distraction mitigation system and a Wilderness-exclusive 180-degree front-view monitor. 

Driver assist features available on both SUVs include:

• High beam assist
• Blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert
• Reverse automatic braking
• Rear vision camera
• Lane departure and sway warning
• Advanced adaptive cruise control with lane centering
• Daytime running lights

2023 Subaru Crosstrek vs. 2023 Subaru Forester | Head-to-Head Comparison

In this Subaru Crosstrek vs. Forester side-by-side review, we compare these two adventure-seeking SUVs across key areas to help illuminate their similarities and differences. Learn about the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek and 2023 Subaru Forester, and if you’d like more information visit our Crosstrek review and Crosstrek trims pages or Forester review and Forester trims pages. 

If you’re ready to move forward, search our Crosstrek inventory or Forester inventory to find a model and trim you like, and plan a visit to McLaughlin Subaru in Moline, IL, to take it for a test drive. Contact us at (309) 726-4684 or send us a text or chat message if you have any questions.

2023 Subaru Crosstrek vs. Forester Interior Features

The in-cabin experience on both the 2023 Crosstrek and 2023 Forester is outfitted for comfort, connectedness, and exploration. For example, the steering system you’ll find on both models is equipped not only for easy access but also engagement with the vehicle when you want to change gears to better suit your preferences or driving conditions. A tilt/telescoping steering column helps you find a comfortable position, especially on long trips, while integrated controls help keep your hands near the wheel with quick access to cruise control, the audio system, and Bluetooth® connection.

Interior features both models share include:

• Power moonroof (panoramic on Forester)
• Keyless entry and push-button start
• Automatic climate control system (Forester adds dual-zone on higher trims)
• Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel 
• Cloth, StarTex® water-repellent, leather-trimmed (Crosstrek) upholstery – Forester adds sport cloth and leather upholstery
• Whiplash-reducing, heated front seats 
• Manually- or power-adjustable front seats
• 60/40 split flat-folding rear seatbacks
• AM/FM stereo with four or six speakers, or an eight- (Crosstrek) or nine-speaker (Forester) Harman Kardon® premium sound system 
• SUBARU STARLINK® Multimedia or Multimedia Plus system with 6.5- or 8-in. LCD touchscreen display 
• USB charging ports

Additional features offered with the 2023 Subaru Forester include a Multimedia Navigation system, sport cloth upholstery with orange stitching, and heated rear outboard seats with reclining capability.

Engine Specs, Transmission, & Fuel Economy

The 2023 Crosstrek features a six-speed manual transmission on the Base and Premium trims and a Lineartronic® CVT on higher trims. If you’re looking for a hybrid option, the Crosstrek also offers a plug-in hybrid engine that brings together a gas-powered SUBARU BOXER® engine with an efficient permanent magnet AC synchronous motor. Both the 2023 Crosstrek and 2023 Forester are equipped for agility and traction control thanks to the Subaru symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) system. 

The 2023 Subaru Forester equips all trim options with the larger BOXER engine, which is mated to one of two Lineartronic CVT options.

Cargo Space & Dimensions

Both the 2023 Crosstrek and 2023 Forester feature roomy cabins with plenty of legroom to stretch your legs. If you’re looking for maximum cargo carrying ability, the Forester provides more cargo space behind the rear seat and when you fold the rear seat down.

Both models feature storage solutions to help you organize and stow your stuff. Along with outside roof rails for carrying things like cargo carriers, bikes, or cargo baskets, the Crosstrek offers an available cargo tray and cargo organizing hooks inside the cabin. The Forester provides a protective, removable cargo area tray and a cargo net for keeping items like water jugs, dog food, or a bag of oranges from rolling around in the rear cargo area while you’re driving.

Tire Size & Wheel Options

You’ll find a variety of wheel designs on both the 2023 Crosstrek and 2023 Forester. With the Forester, each trim level is outfitted with a unique wheel design. 

Crosstrek

All 2023 Crosstrek trims feature all-season tires.

• 17-in. black with machine-finish aluminum alloy wheels (Base, Premium)
• 17-in. dark gray aluminum alloy wheels (Special Edition)
• 17-in. dark gray aluminum alloy wheels (Sport)
• 18 in. alloy wheels (Limited)
• 18-in. black with machine finish lightweight/high-strength aluminum alloy wheels and low-resistance all-season tires (Hybrid)

Forester

All 2023 Forester trims except for the Wilderness model come with all-season tires.

• 17-in. aluminum wheels with silver finish (Base)
• 17-in. black aluminum alloy wheels with machine finish (Premium)
• 18-in. aluminum alloy wheels with black finish (Sport)
• 17-in. aluminum alloy wheels with matte black finish and all-terrain tires (Wilderness)
• 18-in. black aluminum alloy wheels with machine finish (Limited)
• 18-in. dark gray aluminum alloy wheels with machine finish (Touring)

Safety & Driver Assistance Features

You’ll find plenty of passive and active safety features on the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek and 2023 Subaru Forester, including the EyeSight® Driver Assist technology system. This suite of advanced tech features ― which includes advanced adaptive cruise control with lane centering, lane departure and sway warning, pre-collision throttle management, and pre-collision braking ― comes standard on all Forester trims, is optional on the Crosstrek Base and Premium trims, and comes standard on the Sport, Limited, and Hybrid trims.

Among the safety features you’ll find on both Subaru SUVs:

• Daytime running lights
• High beam assist
• Comprehensive airbag system
• Rear vision camera
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Brake assist
• Brake override system
• Reverse automatic braking (available on Crosstrek trims, standard on Forester Touring)
• Blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert
• LATCH child seat mounting system