Jeep Liberty vs. Subaru Forester
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Jeep Liberty 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 Jeep Liberty and the Subaru Forester.
In comparing the Jeep Liberty's and the Subaru Forester's specifications and ratings, the Jeep Liberty has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars and base engine power. The Subaru Forester has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Jeep Liberty's and the Subaru Forester's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2012 Jeep Liberty ranges from $3,999 to $11,930 while a used 2012 Subaru Forester is priced between $4,999 to $12,998.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Jeep Liberty’s base engine makes 210 horsepower, and the Subaru Forester base engine makes 170 horsepower. The Liberty is rated to deliver an average of 18 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 429 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 Jeep Liberty. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Subaru Forester has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, rear head room, and cargo space. The Jeep Liberty has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, rear 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:
23395
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
22664
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
18500 - 26115
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
20595
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
22664
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
18500 - 26115
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
7572
Price Range:
3999 - 11930
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
9420
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
7043 - 23632
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
155
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
127283
# Good or Great Deals:
50
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
9009
Price Range:
4999 - 12998
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
9420
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
7043 - 23632
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
151
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
127776
# Good or Great Deals:
49
Jeep Liberty 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:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Jeep Liberty
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:
2.1659952810260976
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.6 - 20.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
19.4696757478822
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.6 - 20.4
Jeep Liberty Rankings
Not yet available
Subaru Forester Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 18Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 56Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 18Ranking
24 out of / 67Ranking
25 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 56Ranking
32 out of / 67Ranking
47 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Jeep Liberty Trim Levels
Arctic, Jet Edition, Latitude, Limited, Sport
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 / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
2 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
210 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
235 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
2000 lbs
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:
3.7 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X2 / 4X4
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
16 / 22 / 18
Range (city/hwy):
312 / 429 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
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
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:
Available
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:
40.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.6 inches
Cargo Space:
26.1 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
62.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
126.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.6 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:
4076 lbs
Width:
72.3 inches
Height:
70.2 inches
Length:
176.9 inches
Wheelbase:
106.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.8 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 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/75R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
215/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat
Blue
True Blue Pearl Coat / Winter Chill Pearl Coat
Brown
Canyon Brown Pearl Coat
Gray
Mineral Gray Metallic Clear Coat
Green
Black Forest Green Pearl Coat / Natural Green Pearl Coat / Rescue Green Metallic Clear Coat
Red
Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl Coat
Silver
Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat
White
Bright White Clear Coat
Exterior Colors
Black
Obsidian Black Pearl
Blue
Marine Blue Pearl / Sky Blue Metallic
Brown
Not available
Gray
Dark Gray Metallic
Green
Sage Green Metallic
Red
Camellia Red Pearl
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Satin White Pearl
Interior Colors
Beige
Pastel Pebble Beige
Gray
Dark Slate Gray
Black
Not available
Silver
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Gray
Not available
Black
Black
Silver
Platinum
