Subaru Forester vs. Lexus NX 300
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru Forester and Lexus NX 300 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 Subaru Forester and the Lexus NX 300.
In comparing the Subaru Forester's and the Lexus NX 300'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 and resale value. The Lexus NX 300 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Forester's and the Lexus NX 300's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Forester is a better car than the Lexus NX 300.
Pricing: A used 2021 Subaru Forester ranges from $19,189 to $29,945 while a used 2021 Lexus NX 300 is priced between $25,779 to $35,999.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Subaru Forester loses 37.2 percent of its value and the Lexus NX 300 loses 39.2 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Forester retains 2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Lexus NX 300.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Subaru Forester’s base engine makes 182 horsepower, and the Lexus NX 300 base engine makes 235 horsepower. The Forester is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 548 miles. The NX 300 is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 445 miles. This gives the Subaru Forester the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Lexus NX 300. The Forester uses regular unleaded, and the NX 300 uses premium unleaded.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Subaru Forester and the Lexus NX 300 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
24795
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
25515
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
23700 - 27890
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
37610
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
46345
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
31800 - 73400
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
24770
Price Range:
19189 - 29945
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
22412
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
18721 - 26231
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1050
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
67997
# Good or Great Deals:
408
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
31200
Price Range:
25779 - 35999
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
32726
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
24784 - 49306
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
441
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
59980
# Good or Great Deals:
162
Subaru Forester Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Lexus NX 300 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Forester
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
10.2
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
7.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
5.6 - 11.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.208
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus NX 300
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
10.6
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
8.0 - 12.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.9974702687448644
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
4.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.4 - 16.9
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
0.9485294399263045
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
4.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.9 - 25.0
Subaru Forester Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
2 out of / 66Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 12Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 66Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 18Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 66Ranking
8 out of / 66Ranking
9 out of / 66Ranking
9 out of / 66Ranking
9 out of / 54Ranking
11 out of / 66Ranking
11 out of / 18Ranking
13 out of / 66Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
17 out of / 66Ranking
23 out of / 66Ranking
23 out of / 54Ranking
25 out of / 66Ranking
26 out of / 66Ranking
46 out of / 66Lexus NX 300 Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
5 out of / 70Ranking
17 out of / 28Ranking
18 out of / 28Ranking
21 out of / 28Ranking
23 out of / 28Ranking
24 out of / 70Ranking
24 out of / 28Ranking
47 out of / 70Ranking
47 out of / 70Ranking
49 out of / 70Ranking
54 out of / 70Ranking
62 out of / 70Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Subaru Forester Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Premium, Sport, Touring
Lexus NX 300 Trim Levels
Base, F SPORT, Luxury
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:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 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
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 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:
235 hp @ 4800 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1650 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.060 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):
22 / 28 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
350 / 445 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium 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:
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:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
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:
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:
N/A
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 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.3 inches
Cargo Space:
17.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
54.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
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:
3940 lbs
Width:
83.9 inches
Height:
64.8 inches
Length:
182.3 inches
Wheelbase:
104.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.9 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:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/65R17
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
Orange
Not available
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Caviar
Blue
Not available
Gray
Nebula Gray Pearl
Green
Nori Green Pearl
Silver
Atomic Silver
White
Eminent White Pearl
Orange
Cadmium Orange
Red
Matador Red Mica
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
Beige
Not available
Brown
Not available
Red
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black w/Dark Umber Trim
Gray
Not available
Beige
Crème w/Dark Umber Trim
Brown
Glazed Caramel w/Dark Umber Trim
Red
Rioja Red w/Dark Umber Trim
