2012 Subaru Forester vs. Its Competition
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The sales leaders in this class, in addition to the stalwart Ford Escape, include the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
The CR-V has been completely redesigned for 2012, with a somewhat improved interior and better fuel economy, plus a quieter interior.
The Toyota RAV4 now remains one of the most dated designs in this class, yet it's one of the few that packs a small third row--and there's an available V-6.
Nissan's Rogue also has a well-executed interior, a smooth ride, and a spacious layout, but the driving experience isn't anything special.
The Dodge Journey is another alternative; last year, Chrysler gave it a thorough refresh inside, and it's comfortable, refined, and spacious inside; its four-cylinder powertrain is still behind the pack in terms of refinement.
Another possibility is the Jeep Patriot; though somewhat smaller than the Forester, the Patriot has a comparable utilitarian aesthetic--and it costs quite a bit less.
 2012 Subaru ForesterGet FREE Price Quote |  2012 Dodge JourneyGet FREE Price Quote |  2012 Honda CR-VGet FREE Price Quote |  2012 Jeep PatriotGet FREE Price Quote |  2012 Nissan RogueGet FREE Price Quote |  2012 Toyota RAV4Get FREE Price Quote |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
| Meta Rating | |||||
The 2012 Subaru Forester is tough, all-weather-capable, and one of the best-handling compact crossovers--plus, a blast to drive in XT turbo form--but an old-tech automatic transmission and econo-caliber interior remain letdowns. | Practical without being too prim, the 2012 Dodge Journey cuts an interesting figure and spans the gulf between compact crossovers and family-grade SUVs. | The 2012 Honda CR-V is a great family vehicle, with a thoughtfully designed and comfortable interior, and improved refinement, but it lacks the confident, sprightly feel present in past CR-Vs. | The 2012 Jeep Patriot is a compelling choice for its versatile interior, maneuverability, and strong list of features—with just a bit of weekend-warrior ruggedness—but it's woefully short on refinement or sophistication. | The 2012 Nissan Rogue's comfortable ride and versatile layout make it a good fit for a value-conscious small families--but it's far from exciting to drive. | The 2012 Toyota RAV4 remains a strong, refined choice for families, even though some of its design might be a blast from the past. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $20,595 | $18,995 | $22,495 | $15,995 | $22,070 | $22,650 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 19 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Gas Flat 4 | Gas I4 | Gas I4 | Gas I4 | Gas I4 | Gas I4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Sport Utility Vehicle - AWD | 2WD Sport Utility Vehicle | 2WD Sport Utility | 2WD Sport Utility Vehicles | FWD Sport Utility | Sport Utility Vehicle |
| Style Name | |||||
| 4dr Man 2.5X | FWD 4dr SE | 2WD 5dr LX | FWD 4dr Sport | FWD 4dr S | FWD 4dr I4 (Natl) |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sport Utility Vehicle | Sport Utility Vehicle | Sport Utility Vehicle | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | 4 Door |
| Transmission | |||||
| Manual | Automatic | Automatic | Manual | Continuously variable ratio | Automatic w/OD |
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