Subaru Forester vs. Toyota FJ Cruiser
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru Forester and Toyota FJ Cruiser 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 Toyota FJ Cruiser.
When we compare the Subaru Forester's and the Toyota FJ Cruiser'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. The Toyota FJ Cruiser has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Forester's and the Toyota FJ Cruiser's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Forester is a better car than the Toyota FJ Cruiser.
Pricing: A used 2014 Subaru Forester ranges from $6,485 to $16,590 while a used 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser is priced between $19,987 to $43,018.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Subaru Forester’s base engine makes 170 horsepower, and the Toyota FJ Cruiser base engine makes 260 horsepower. The Forester is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 461 miles. The FJ Cruiser is rated to deliver an average of 18 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 380 miles. This gives the Subaru Forester the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Toyota FJ Cruiser. Both models use gasoline.
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:
21995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
23328
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
20150 - 27680
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
27680
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
23328
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
20150 - 27680
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
11149
Price Range:
6485 - 16590
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
11505
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
7915 - 30356
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
497
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
124231
# Good or Great Deals:
163
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
30356
Price Range:
19987 - 43018
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
11505
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
7915 - 30356
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
69
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
117014
# Good or Great Deals:
15
Subaru Forester Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Toyota FJ Cruiser Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
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:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Toyota FJ Cruiser
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:
2.915596888977868
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
3.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
0.9 - 13.7
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.855025264869494
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
3.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
0.9 - 13.7
Subaru Forester Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
2 out of / 66Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 66Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 12Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 18Ranking
7 out of / 66Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 66Ranking
8 out of / 66Ranking
9 out of / 66Ranking
9 out of / 54Ranking
10 out of / 66Ranking
11 out of / 18Ranking
12 out of / 66Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
16 out of / 66Ranking
23 out of / 66Ranking
23 out of / 54Ranking
25 out of / 66Ranking
26 out of / 66Ranking
46 out of / 66Toyota FJ Cruiser Rankings
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Subaru Forester Trim Levels
2.0XT Premium, 2.0XT Touring, 2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Touring
Toyota FJ Cruiser Trim Levels
Base
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:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
2 years / 25000 miles
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
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
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:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
260 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
271 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.064 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
5000 lbs
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):
22 / 29 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
350 / 461 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
4 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X2 / 4X4
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
16 / 20 / 18
Range (city/hwy):
304 / 380 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
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
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Available
Power outlet:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Available
Heated Seats
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
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
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Available
360-Degree 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
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree 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:
41.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
43 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
34.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
74.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
147.5 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
31.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
27.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
66.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3296 lbs
Width:
70.7 inches
Height:
66.4 inches
Length:
180.9 inches
Wheelbase:
103.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4079 lbs
Width:
75 inches
Height:
71.3 inches
Length:
183.9 inches
Wheelbase:
105.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P225/60R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P265/70R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Marine Blue Pearl
Brown
Burnished Bronze Metallic
Gray
Dark Gray Metallic
Green
Jasmine Green Metallic
Red
Venetian Red Pearl
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Satin White Pearl
Beige
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black
Blue
Not available
Brown
Not available
Gray
Cement Gray
Green
Army Green
Red
Magma
Silver
Not available
White
Iceberg
Beige
Quicksand
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Silver
Platinum
Interior Colors
Black
Dark Charcoal
Silver
Not available
