2021 Subaru Forester vs. 2021 Volvo XC40
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2021 Subaru Forester and 2021 Volvo XC40 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2021 Subaru Forester and the 2021 Volvo XC40.
When comparing the 2021 Subaru Forester's and the 2021 Volvo XC40's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Subaru Forester has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency, resale value and interior volume. The 2021 Volvo XC40 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2021 Subaru Forester's and the 2021 Volvo XC40's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Subaru Forester is a better car than the 2021 Volvo XC40.
Pricing: A used 2021 Subaru Forester ranges from $22,378 to $30,900 while a used 2021 Volvo XC40 is priced between $26,469 to $35,796.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2021 Subaru Forester loses 34.5 percent of its value and the 2021 Volvo XC40 loses 44.2 percent of its value. This means the 2021 Subaru Forester retains 9.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2021 Volvo XC40.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2021 Subaru Forester’s base engine makes 182 horsepower, and the 2021 Volvo XC40 base engine makes 187 horsepower. The Forester is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 548 miles. The XC40 is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 454 miles. This gives the 2021 Subaru Forester the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2021 Volvo XC40. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The 2021 Subaru Forester, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the 2021 Subaru Forester and the 2021 Volvo XC40 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$24,795
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
$25,515
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$23,700 - $27,890
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$33,700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$34,220
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$23,200 - $43,300
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$26,678
Price Range:
$22,378 - $30,900
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
$24,444
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$20,734 - $27,641
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
987
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
42,197
# Good or Great Deals:
225
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$31,463
Price Range:
$26,469 - $35,796
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$28,889
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$19,563 - $36,297
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
272
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
39,494
# Good or Great Deals:
141
Subaru Forester Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.3 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Volvo XC40 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Subaru Forester
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
8.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
7.9
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
6.9 - 10.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
10.1%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Volvo XC40
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
9.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
8.1 - 9.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
4.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.7 - 13.9
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
1 - 5.6
Subaru Forester Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 14Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 30Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 19Ranking
15 out of / 19Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
19 out of / 67Ranking
24 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
28 out of / 59Ranking
32 out of / 67Ranking
33 out of / 67Ranking
49 out of / 67Volvo XC40 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 59Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 68Ranking
16 out of / 68Ranking
36 out of / 68Ranking
37 out of / 68Ranking
37 out of / 68Ranking
46 out of / 68Ranking
48 out of / 68Ranking
54 out of / 68Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2021 Subaru Forester Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Premium, Sport, Touring
2021 Volvo XC40 Trim Levels
T4 Inscription, T4 Momentum, T4 R-Design, T5 Inscription, T5 Momentum, T5 R-Design
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
178 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.053 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
187 hp @ 4700 rpm
Torque:
221 foot-lbs @ 1400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 33 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
432 / 548 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
23 / 32 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
327 / 454 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.2 inches
Cargo Space:
31.1 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
76.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
143.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Cargo Space:
20.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
57.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
118.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3453 lbs
Width:
80.9 inches
Height:
67.5 inches
Length:
182.1 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3627 lbs
Width:
80.1 inches
Height:
65.3 inches
Length:
174.2 inches
Wheelbase:
106.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
225/60R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/55R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Horizon Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Green
Jasper Green Metallic
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Stone / Onyx Black Metallic
Blue
Denim Blue Metallic
Gray
Thunder Grey Metallic
Green
Not available
Silver
Glacier Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Metallic
Red
Fusion Red Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal
Gray
Not available
White
Blonde
