Compare the2025 Subaru ForesterVS 2025 Cadillac XT4

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 Cadillac XT4 has not been tested.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Forester. But it costs extra on the XT4.

The Forester Touring’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The XT4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Forester and the XT4 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, 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 and rear cross-path warning.

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 XT4 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

There are over 12 percent more Subaru dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Forester’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Forester’s reliability 71 points higher than the XT4.

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 Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 31 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 21st.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Forester lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The XT4 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Forester gets better mileage than the XT4:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Forester uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XT4 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Forester has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the XT4. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Forester higher (7 out of 10) than the Cadillac XT4 (6). This means the Forester produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XT4 every 15,000 miles.

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 XT4 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Forester stops shorter than the XT4:

The Forester’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the XT4’s (58.4% to 41.6%). This gives the Forester more stable handling and braking.

The Forester Sport handles at .82 G’s, while the XT4 Sport AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Forester’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the XT4’s (35.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Forester has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT4 (8.7 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Forester to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Forester has 9.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XT4 (110.8 vs. 101.3).

The Forester has 1.8 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 3.9 inches more rear hip room and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the XT4.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Forester Premium/Sport/Limited/Touring’s rear seats recline. The XT4’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Forester is 1.5 inches lower than the XT4 (15.5” vs. 17”). The Forester’s rear step up height is .3 inches lower than the XT4’s (17.25” vs. 17.5”).

The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XT4 with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 22.5 cubic feet). The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XT4 with its rear seat folded (74.4 vs. 48.9 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 XT4’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The Forester’s cargo area is larger than the XT4’s in almost every dimension:

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Forester Limited/Touring’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XT4 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The engine in the Forester is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XT4. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The XT4’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Forester’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Forester to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XT4 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Forester as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac XT4 isn't recommended.

The Subaru Forester outsold the Cadillac XT4 by almost 8 to one during 2024.