Subaru Solterra vs. Subaru Forester
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru Solterra 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 Subaru Solterra and the Subaru Forester.
In comparing the Subaru Solterra's and the Subaru Forester's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Solterra has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, 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 resale value and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Solterra's and the Subaru Forester's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Solterra is a better car than the Subaru Forester.
Pricing: A used 2025 Subaru Solterra ranges from $27,864 to $46,950 while a used 2025 Subaru Forester is priced between $35,568 to $45,694. For a new model, the Subaru Solterra's price is between $36,889 and $47,885, with the Subaru Forester priced between $37,165 and $46,234.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Subaru Solterra loses 55.1 percent of its value and the Subaru Forester loses 39.5 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Forester retains 15.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Subaru Solterra.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Subaru Solterra’s base engine makes 215 horsepower, and the Subaru Forester base engine makes 194 horsepower. The Solterra is rated to deliver an average of 114 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 227 miles. The Forester is rated to deliver an average of 35 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 564 miles.This gives the Subaru Solterra the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Subaru Forester the advantage in maximum range. The Solterra uses electricity, and the Forester uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Subaru Forester has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Subaru Solterra, a electric SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room and rear head room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Subaru Solterra and the Subaru Forester have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
36889 - 47885
Starting MSRP:
38495
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Electric Compact SUVs)
39825
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Electric Compact SUVs)
33600 - 46000
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
37165 - 46234
Starting MSRP:
36595
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
35699
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
28495 - 44565
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
40025
Price Range:
27864 - 46950
Category Avg Price:
(Electric Compact SUVs)
44309
Category Avg Price Range:
(Electric Compact SUVs)
34134 - 55168
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
40574
Price Range:
35568 - 45694
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
39518
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
33748 - 52824
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
2014
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
16721
# Good or Great Deals:
701
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
21413
Depreciation %:
0.55625833
Resale Value $:
17082
Residual Value %:
0.44374167
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Electric Compact SUVs)
0.59524328
Category Depreciation Range:
(Electric Compact SUVs)
0.47039998 - 0.65529153
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
14536
Depreciation %:
0.39721732
Resale Value $:
22059
Residual Value %:
0.60278268
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
0.36835733
Category Depreciation Range:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
0.30618901 - 0.53124407
Subaru Solterra Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Subaru Forester Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Solterra
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Forester
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
11.0
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
7.5 - 14.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.263442363983947
Typical Category Recalls:
(Electric Compact SUVs)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Electric Compact SUVs)
0.5 - 13.0
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
14.991300032850205
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
3.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
2.2 - 19.5
Subaru Solterra Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 82Ranking
7 out of / 82Ranking
9 out of / 82Ranking
20 out of / 67Ranking
21 out of / 82Ranking
45 out of / 82Ranking
46 out of / 82Ranking
47 out of / 82Ranking
60 out of / 82Ranking
65 out of / 82Subaru Forester Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
2 out of / 41Ranking
2 out of / 36Ranking
3 out of / 17Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
5 out of / 41Ranking
5 out of / 36Ranking
5 out of / 36Ranking
5 out of / 17Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 17Ranking
6 out of / 17Ranking
7 out of / 41Ranking
7 out of / 17Ranking
7 out of / 17Ranking
7 out of / 16Ranking
8 out of / 41Ranking
9 out of / 41Ranking
10 out of / 41Ranking
10 out of / 36Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
10 out of / 17Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
15 out of / 41Ranking
15 out of / 36Ranking
16 out of / 41Ranking
16 out of / 36Ranking
16 out of / 17Ranking
18 out of / 41Ranking
18 out of / 36Ranking
21 out of / 41Ranking
24 out of / 36Ranking
29 out of / 41Ranking
29 out of / 41Ranking
33 out of / 36Ranking
38 out of / 41Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Hybrid
Subaru Solterra Trim Levels
Limited, Premium, Touring, Touring Onyx Edition
Subaru Forester Trim Levels
Limited Hybrid, Premium Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, Touring Hybrid
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:
3 years / 36000 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:
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:
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
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
215 hp
Torque:
249 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.049 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
194 hp
Torque:
Not yet available
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
Not Applicable
Engine Configuration:
Not Applicable
Number of Cylinders:
Not Applicable
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not applicable
MPGe:
114 / 94 / 104
Range (city/hwy):
227 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity :
72.8 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
11 hours (240V)
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
35 / 34 / 35
MPGe:
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
581 / 564 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Battery Size/Capacity:
Not applicable
Maximum Charging Rate:
Not applicable
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
38 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Cargo Space:
23.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
63.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
119.5 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Cargo Space:
27.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
69.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
134.1 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4365 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
65 inches
Length:
184.6 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3873 lbs
Width:
81.2 inches
Height:
68.1 inches
Length:
183.3 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/60R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/55R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Galactic Black
Gray
Smoked Carbon
Red
Elemental Red Pearl
White
Cosmic White Pearl
Beige
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gold
Not available
Green
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Red
Crimson Red Pearl
White
Crystal White Pearl
Beige
River Rock Pearl
Blue
Daybreak Blue Pearl
Gold
Brilliant Bronze Metallic
Green
Autumn Green Metallic
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
