Compare the2025 Subaru ForesterVS 2025 Lexus UX

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 Lexus UX 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 UX.

The Forester Touring has a standard 360-Degree Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The UX only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Forester and the UX 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, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Forester is safer than the UX:

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 UX is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

There are almost 3 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much 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 21 points higher than the UX.

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

The Forester’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 26 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 152) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

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

Both the Forester and UX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Forester has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Forester has 6 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (16.6 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

For better stopping power the Forester’s brake rotors are larger than those on the UX:

The Forester’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the UX are solid, not vented.

The Forester stops much shorter than the UX:

For better traction, the Forester Sport/Touring’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the UX (235/50R19 vs. 225/50R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Forester Sport/Touring has standard 19-inch wheels. The UX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

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 UX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Forester’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the UX (105.1 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

The Forester Sport handles at .82 G’s, while the UX 300h F Sport Handling pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Forester Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the UX AWD (27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Forester has a 2.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the UX (8.7 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Forester to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Forester has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The UX uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The front grille of the Forester uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The UX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Forester has 20.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (110.8 vs. 90.4).

The Forester has 4 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front hip room, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, 3.3 inches more rear headroom, 6.3 inches more rear legroom, 1.4 inches more rear hip room and 3.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

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

The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (29.6 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

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

The Forester has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The UX has no towing capacity.

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 UX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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

The UX F Sport’s 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 UX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the Forester and the UX offer available heated front seats. The Forester Touring also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the UX.

Both are recommended, but 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 Lexus UX by over 19 to one during 2024.