Compare the2025 Subaru ForesterVS 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Corolla Cross 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 Toyota Corolla Cross 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 Corolla Cross.

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 Corolla Cross 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 Corolla Cross 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.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Subaru Forester is safer than the Corolla Cross:

	Forester	Corolla Cross
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	103	193
Neck Tension	201 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.87 in	.94 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	245 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.02 in	1.38 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	6 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	POOR
Pelvis Force	892 lbs.	1539 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	580 lbs.	892 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

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 Corolla Cross is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Reliability

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 34 points higher than the Corolla Cross.

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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

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

Engine

The Forester’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 11 more horsepower (180 vs. 169) and 27 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 151) than the Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Subaru Forester is faster than the Toyota Corolla Cross:

	Forester	Corolla Cross
Zero to 60 MPH	8.3 sec	9.2 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.9 sec	9.6 sec
Quarter Mile	16.6 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87 MPH	83 MPH

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

Fuel Economy and Range

The Forester has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross FWD’s standard fuel tank (16.6 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Forester has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross AWD’s standard fuel tank (16.6 vs. 13.2 gallons).

Environmental Friendliness

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

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Forester	Corolla Cross
Front Rotors	12.4 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11.1 inches

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 Corolla Cross are solid, not vented.

The Forester stops shorter than the Corolla Cross:

	Forester	Corolla Cross
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Forester has larger standard tires than the Corolla Cross (225/60R17 vs. 215/65R17). The Forester Sport/Touring’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Corolla Cross (235/50R19 vs. 225/55R18).

The Forester’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Corolla Cross L/LE’s standard 65 series tires. The Forester Sport/Touring’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Corolla Cross XLE’s 55 series tires.

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

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Forester has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Corolla Cross 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Forester has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Forester flat and controlled during cornering. The Corolla Cross 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

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

The Forester’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the Corolla Cross’ (59% to 41%). This gives the Forester more stable handling and braking.

The Forester Sport handles at .82 G’s, while the Corolla Cross XLE AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Forester Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Corolla Cross LE (27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

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

Chassis

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 Corolla Cross 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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Forester has 22.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Corolla Cross (110.8 vs. 88.4).

The Forester has 2.6 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom, 2.1 inches more front hip room, 5 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 7.4 inches more rear legroom, 9.9 inches more rear hip room and 4.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corolla Cross.

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

Cargo Capacity

The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Corolla Cross (29.6 vs. 25.5 cubic feet).

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

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Forester’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 38% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 24th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Forester Touring, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle and climate settings. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Forester Touring’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Forester’s variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Corolla Cross L’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

The Forester has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The Corolla Cross has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the LE/XLE.

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

When the Forester Touring is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Corolla Cross’ mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Forester’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Corolla Cross offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Forester and the Corolla Cross 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 Corolla Cross.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Forester Touring keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Forester Limited/Touring’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Forester has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Corolla Cross XLE.

Recommendations

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 Toyota Corolla Cross by 85% during 2024.

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