Honda Element vs. Subaru Forester
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Honda Element and Subaru Forester 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 Honda Element and the Subaru Forester.
In comparing the Honda Element's and the Subaru Forester's specifications and ratings, The Subaru Forester has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Honda Element's and the Subaru Forester's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Forester is a better car than the Honda Element.
Pricing: A used 2011 Honda Element ranges from $6,994 to $20,704 while a used 2011 Subaru Forester is priced between $5,626 to $13,903.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Honda Element’s base engine makes 166 horsepower, and the Subaru Forester base engine makes 170 horsepower. The Element is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 398 miles. The Forester is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 456 miles. This gives the Subaru Forester the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Honda Element. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Subaru Forester has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Honda Element has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Subaru Forester has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$20,825
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$20,495
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
$22,284
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$18,295 - $25,790
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$13,162
Price Range:
$6,994 - $20,704
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
18
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
137,494
# Good or Great Deals:
10
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$9,497
Price Range:
$5,626 - $13,903
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
$9,846
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$7,674 - $23,265
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
210
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
123,891
# Good or Great Deals:
78
Honda Element Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Subaru Forester Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.3 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Honda Element
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Forester
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
17.2
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
22.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
4.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.8 - 23.3
Honda Element Rankings
Not yet available
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 / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Honda Element Trim Levels
EX, LX
Subaru Forester Trim Levels
2.5X, 2.5X Limited, 2.5X Premium, 2.5X Touring, 2.5XT Premium, 2.5XT Touring
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
3 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:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
166 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
161 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.047 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
170 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
174 foot-lbs @ 4100 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
1000 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 25 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
318 / 398 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 27 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
355 / 456 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
43.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
38 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.2 inches
Cargo Space:
25.1 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
74.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
128.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
33.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.6 inches
Cargo Space:
33.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
68.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
141.1 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3515 lbs
Width:
71.6 inches
Height:
70.4 inches
Length:
169.9 inches
Wheelbase:
101.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3250 lbs
Width:
79 inches
Height:
65.9 inches
Length:
179.5 inches
Wheelbase:
103 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P215/70R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P215/65R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Pearl
Gray
Polished Metal Metallic
Silver
Alabaster Silver Metallic
Blue
Not available
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Obsidian Black Pearl
Gray
Dark Gray Metallic
Silver
Spark Silver Metallic / Steel Silver Metallic
Blue
Marine Blue Pearl / Sky Blue Metallic
Green
Sage Green Metallic
Red
Camellia Red Pearl / Paprika Red Pearl
White
Satin White Pearl
Interior Colors
Gray
Grey / Titanium
Black
Not available
Silver
Not available
Interior Colors
Gray
Not available
Black
Black
Silver
Platinum
