Compare the2025 Subaru ForesterVS 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe

The Forester has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The GV80 Coupe doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Subaru Forester achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Genesis GV80 Coupe has not been tested.

Both the Forester and the GV80 Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Subaru Forester ((except Wilderness)) achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The GV80 Coupe has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

There are almost 3 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Genesis dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Forester’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Genesis vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Genesis is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Genesis With 2 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Genesis.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Genesis is ranked 14th.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Forester lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The GV80 Coupe doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Forester gets better mileage than the GV80 Coupe:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Forester uses regular unleaded gasoline. The GV80 Coupe requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Forester has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The GV80 Coupe doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Forester stops shorter than the GV80 Coupe:

The Forester has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the GV80 Coupe; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Forester Sport handles at .82 G’s, while the GV80 3.5 e-Supercharger pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Forester’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the GV80 Coupe’s (35.4 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Forester has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GV80 Coupe (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Forester to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Subaru Forester may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1500 to 1650 pounds less than the Genesis GV80 Coupe.

The Forester is 1 foot shorter than the GV80 Coupe, making the Forester easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Forester is 5.8 inches narrower than the GV80 Coupe, making the Forester easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Forester has 2.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GV80 Coupe (110.8 vs. 108.7).

The Forester has 1 inch more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front legroom, 2 inches more rear headroom and .7 inches more rear legroom than the GV80 Coupe.

The Forester has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the GV80 Coupe with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 29.3 cubic feet). The Forester has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GV80 Coupe with its rear seat folded (74.4 vs. 61.1 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Forester easier. The Forester’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.9 inches, while the GV80 Coupe’s liftover is 31.6 inches.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Forester uses the Vehicle Dynamics Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The GV80 Coupe doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Genesis. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 62% lower rating, Genesis is ranked 29th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Forester has a standard rear wiper. The GV80 Coupe doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Forester as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Forester outsold the Genesis GV80 by over seven to one during 2024.