2026 Subaru Forester vs the Competition

Red 2026 Subaru Forester parked outside of tennis courts with friends. 

The compact SUV class is crowded, and we get a lot of questions from Monmouth County shoppers comparing the 2026 Subaru Forester against the Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4. They're all capable family SUVs, but at Freehold Subaru we've found the Subaru Forester brings a few standard features the others charge extra for or only offer on select trims. Here's an overview of where it pulls ahead.

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive® on Every Trim

Every 2026 Subaru Forester comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive®, from the base trim to the Touring. The Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Hyundai Tucson all reserve standard AWD for specific trims, with most starting as front-wheel drive. For New Jersey winters and rainy commutes, getting the signature Subaru all-wheel drive system without climbing the option sheet is a real advantage.

Ground Clearance and Capability

The 2026 Subaru Forester offers 8.7 inches of standard ground clearance, with the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness pushing that to 9.3 inches. That's higher than the Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4 in their standard configurations, which makes a big difference for drivers who like to venture out into the nature around Freehold. Available X-MODE® with Hill Descent Control adds traction settings the others don't fully match.

You'll also have more space on the inside: the 2026 Subaru Forester offers up to 110.8 cubic feet of passenger space, more than the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, or Hyundai Tucson.

Safety Comes Standard

Every new Subaru SUV comes with the latest EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology. The 2026 Subaru Forester earned a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the NHTSA and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Of these three competitors, only the Hyundai Tucson earned the Top Safety Pick+ designation, but you'll have to pay extra for some of the safety features that are found standard on the Subaru SUV.

Test-Drive the 2026 Subaru Forester in Freehold, NJ

The 2026 Subaru Forester comes standard with everything you need for a family SUV. Stop by our Subaru dealership in Freehold, NJ, when you're ready to experience the difference for yourself. Our Subaru finance team can walk you through current offers, lease options, and rates that work for your budget.

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