Subaru Forester vs Volkswagen Tiguan

Even though it has recently gone on sale and been given to journalists to review and test, The all-new 2025 Subaru Forester is quickly earning praise from journalists and customers alike. When compared to other SUVs in its class, the Forester shines with its standard all-wheel drive and a lower base price. A recent comparison by The Car Connection saw the all-new Forester take on the venerable Volkswagen Tiguan. 

Price and Fuel Economy Comparison

Not to get too ahead of the article, but the Forester won this comparison review. That isn’t that surprising, given that the Subaru was engineered to give customers lots of features for not much money. The Forester has a base MSRP of just $31,090, compared to the Tiguan’s $31,805 with optional all-wheel drive. The 2024 VW Tiguan gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, while the new Forester gets 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. So, the Subaru costs less to buy and costs drivers less to fill up with gas.

Engine and Towing

Powering the 2025 Forester is the 2.5-liter Subaru Boxer 4-cylinder, which produces 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque when combined with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This allows the Forester to get great fuel mileage without sacrificing usability and reliability. The 2025 model can also tow up to 3,000 lbs when properly equipped. 

Standard All-Wheel Drive and Amazing Tech Features

Like all Subaru vehicles apart from the BRZ, the new Forester comes standard with the brand’s legendary Subaru Symmetrical all-wheel drive, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment display, and the latest updates to the renowned Eyesight Driver Assist Technology. The Forester also features X-MODE for extra traction and stability when driving on all types of surfaces. With Hill Descent Control, the vehicle will also hold the SUV at a crawling pace when going down steep and potentially uncertain terrain. 

Safety Is Most Important

Safety is one specific area where no other brand can quite keep up with Subaru, and this is when The Car Connection said, “One of the safest crossovers on the market, the Subaru Forester should score a perfect 10 here.” While the latest 2025 model has not yet been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Forester has been an IIHS Top Safety Pick (TSP) or Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) every year since 2007, so expect the all-new model to do quite well. 

Interior Volume and Space

Space is always important in SUVs, and these days, it is also important to have usable storage options inside the vehicle. Both vehicles offer good space to passengers, but the Forester provides a little more that can make all the difference for families. With the rear seats folded the Subaru has 74.4 cu.ft. of storage capacity and 29.6 cu.ft. behind the rear seats when they are up. This is where The Car Connection also heaped a lot of praise on the Forester, saying, “… the storage and cubby spaces are smarter, with wide door pockets and console cupholders, though the available wireless smartphone charger at the base of the centerstrack could use more grip to keep phones on charge. The good cargo space, ample rear legroom of 39.4 inches, supportive power front seats on most models all earn a point here, but for what seems like the first time, Subaru fits the Forester in nicer materials that better blend soft-touch comforts with durable molded plastics. It’s a 9.”

An Easy Decision To Make

When it came time to decide which SUV would take the win, The Car Connection didn’t seem to hesitate, saying, “These models are both great values, but Subaru packages more equipment, standard all-wheel drive, and a stellar safety record, in addition to genuine off-road capability … the Forester is the better overall package.”

At Subaru of Rochester, we are happy to offer our customers more than a hundred new and used vehicles. Our fantastic sales team and finance department will work hard to find the best car that fits your needs. Our dedicated service department will always ensure that your vehicle is taken care of in the best way possible.

We look forward to serving you soon.