Which Subaru SUV is the RIGHT BUY? 2019 Forester or Crosstrek

Here is a comparison between the ALL NEW 2019 Subaru Forester versus the Crosstrek. Both of these Subaru SUVs are at the same trim level and are almost the same exact price. Which is the better buy for
you? Watch the in-depth review to get all the details to help you make your decision.
**Click to support Raiti's Rides!

[juliareut]

Got into a crosstrek for the first time today, and my heart literally fluttered, I can’t stop looking at them now

[cruisingprimate]

Just had a snow storm last night, drove through 2 feet of snow to get out of my driveway with my 2015 XV. Neighbours were watching, I bet they were hoping that I get stuck. Sure it's not a fast car, but I needed a regular car that's AWD and jacked up to get me through our long snowy winters up North.

[thetomasloretta]

We bought the 19 Crosstrek for my wife last year, and it’s fantastic! You’re spot on with your review and I agree with you about the excessive number of buttons, not my thing either. After driving it for close to a year the only fault I found was the stock all-season tires aren’t enough for my hilly, snowy area. They’re perfect with most conditions but an AT upgrade will happen before Fall this year. I’m 6’4 and have no problems with seating or leg room... however, my wife wants the Forester now. So I’ll gladly keep the Crosstrek and she’ll get the Forester. We do no off-road travel but this vehicle can go anywhere during any weather.

[Michael-urqb]

If you don't have a family or large dog I would go with a Crosstrek. It's so much different from the rest of Subarus line up. It looks sporty and has the more interesting colors. I hope Subie figures out they can attractive younger buyers and they're designs don't have to be so safe all the time. I do wish the Crosstrek has 170-180 HP. That would really be better. I like the new Forester it's an evolution of the design which again is just conservative.

[magarity]

Am I the only Subaru owner without a kayak?

[bigal]

Raiti, you are one of only a few people who can get me excited about a Subaru....Nice Job!

[sentient]

Got a brand new 2019 Crosstrek Limited this week. Love it so far. Can be a bit slow on the high end but can kick in lower gears. Great ride, great options. Sound system is also tops.

[mkatz]

I switched from the 2017Forester to 2019 Crosstrek to give me more room in a small garage. I love how both drive but what I HATE about the Crosstrek is that they do not have a power lift gate for the trunk, even on their most expensive model. And even though I saw hundreds of complaints from short people that they could not reach the top of the trunk to close it manually, Subaru still failed to add it as an option on their Crosstrek 2020 model. I use a rope on the trunk, but that always gets caught in the lock and, I am ready to find a new car with a lift gate even though I'll be taking a serious loss on my Crosstrek. If you're short - do not buy a Crosstrek unless you want to be angry every time you need to open and close the trunk.

[HunterXray]

2:51 I think if you realize this bumper cover is also used on the Sport trim. On the Sport trim, the fog lights are vertical and take up more space in that direction. So I think the answer is this is a shared area for all trim levels and they needed to design that into it. I'd buy the Forester over the Trek for sure.

[RAMelloh-ijsl]

Joe, I need to mention something a lot of people are not aware of. The passenger seat in the Forester does not accommodate people of small stature. Anyone small of frame sitting in the passenger seat will find their feet will not touch the floor, making extended rides extremely uncomfortable, as there is no way to lift the weight of the lower legs off the knee joints. There is no adjustment or option from Subaru that will change the condition. It's not like the Japanese people are a large framed race, so this leaves us puzzled.

The seating position in the XV passenger seat is fine. We own a 2013 XV Limited and have loved it, but my wife wants a bigger boot and more room for hauling stuff. She thought she wanted a new Forester Limited. We went in intending to make a purchase right then and there. That all ended when we switched drivers on the test drive and she sat in the passenger seat. She looked for the lever that would lower the seat bottom, as is present for the driver's seat, but there isn't one. Quite the blunder from Subaru. Ergonomics in cars is important, because we spend so much time in them. The front passenger is not a second class citizen when he or she may be the one paying over $30k for the ride.

There is quite the jump in cost for an Outback Limited, so we are researching seating in other vehicles similar to the Forester. The AWD Honda CR-V is accommodating to front passengers of small stature and the mpg is almost the same or a little better, near top mpg performance. We plan to inspect the new AWD RAV4. What good is a vehicle if one can't sit in it comfortably?

[amandag]

The crosstrek is my dream car, I can’t wait to one day own one!

[route]

This is your BEST video. Please make more comparison videos.

Greta job! Love the energy!

[reaality]

The most expensive one is always the best one from a dealers point of view.

[BG-igfd]

Thanks for mentioning the seat length. We have the opposite problem, being short people. And most reviewers never consider how things are for short people, only tall people. In some brands the seat bottom is too long and uncomfortable if you have shorter legs. Anyway, that was helpful that you talked about it because now I know the seat will be ok for us. Ideally, in the future, maybe cars could have adjustable seat bottoms.

[tabbyhuffman]

Got the Suburu Forestor sport and absolutely love it!!
Its white with black and orange...and will keep its value
Go with the Forestor

[bigfootswatching]

Good job with this Review Brother!  I'm plan on buying one this summer, the 2019 Crosstrek.

[davidkatz]

I like your comparison and your pointing out some areas where the cars could be improved.

[burrphillips]

We test drove a 2019 RAV4 last week and the first thing my 5'3" 110lb wife said was "these seats are too short". The RAV4 interior (especially doors) felt like cheap plastic. Subaru's were nicer and the "under powered" comment is overblown after driving the Crosstrek and Outback. I like the ride of the Outback and Crosstrek better than the RAV4 but just saw a dark grey Forester Sport (with orange highlights) and it was very stylish - sort of Range-Roverish. We will try one this weekend. FYI - The Outback seems best for me (towing capacity, ride, height and length for our long kayak, storage with seats up, price after current incentives) but is a wagon and the redesigned 2020 with global platform is only 6 months away.

[JessikaRomano]

I have the 2018 Limited edition crosstrek and it does come with a dual climate control. I’m 5’2” and the seats are great. The Canadian ones come with heated steering wheel.

[hereigoagain]

Love both. We have a 2018 Impreza. If you don't need the ground clearance & bigger tires, you can save $2K with the Impreza versus Crosstrek. Just saying.