2027 Subaru Forester vs 2027 Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y wins clearly, 100 to 69.9, on fuel & range.
2027 Subaru Forester
The 2027 Subaru Forester is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Forester Hybrid AW…
2027 Tesla Model Y
The 2027 Tesla Model Y is sold in the U.S. as an electric compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Model Y Premium RWD, is EP…
2027 Tesla Model Y
Clear winThe Tesla Model Y wins clearly, 100 to 69.9, on fuel & range.
| Category · weight | 2027 Subaru Foresteroverall 69.9 | 2027 Tesla Model Yoverall 100 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 29.8 | 100 | |||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 100 | 100 | |||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||
| Space & cargonot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Performancenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Tech & comfortnot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Overall | 69.9 | 100 | |||||||||
Safety-only comparison · 2 of 7 categories compared · specs not available for Tesla Model Y
Subaru Forester: base trim Base AWD · Tesla Model Y: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available). Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2027 Tesla Model Y wins
- It is rated 136 combined against 36 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $1,200 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $1,750).
What they share
- A Safety Signal of 100.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
44 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $29,995 | — |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | — |
| Cylinder count | 4 | — |
| Engine displacement | 2,498 cc | — |
| Engine type (full description) | 4-cylinder horizontally opposed (SUBARU BOXER®); aluminum cylinder block and cylinder heads | — |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | — |
| Valve configuration | DOHC | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 180 hp | — |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.700 | — |
| Transmission type | cvt | — |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in | — |
| Overall height | 68.1 in | — |
| Overall length | 183 in | — |
| Overall width | 72 in | — |
| Wheelbase | 105 in | — |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 68.6 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 35.4 cu-ft | — |
| Total interior volume | 111 cu-ft | — |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 41.2 in | — |
| Third-row headroom | 39.6 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 43.3 in | — |
| Third-row legroom | 39.4 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,510 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,510 lbs | — |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 4,901 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | MacPherson-type struts, lower L-arms, coil springs, dampers, stabilizer bar, hydraulic engine mounts | — |
| Rear suspension type | Double wishbone, coil springs, dampers, stabilizer bar | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power Assisted Rack-and-Pinion (Dual Pinion) | — |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 35.4 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 315 mm | — |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | — |
| Parking brake type | epb | — |
| Rear brake diameter | 300 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | ventilated disc | — |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 17 in | — |
| Wheel material | alloy | — |
| Wheel width | 7 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 225/60R17 99H all-season | — |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 16.6 gal | — |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | MySubaru Companion | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 57.7 in | — |
| Third-row shoulder room | 56.7 in | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
40 features · differences first, then sharedSafety13 differ · 13 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control w/Lane Centering | std | — |
| Auto Vehicle Shut Down | std | — |
| Emergency Stop Assist | std | — |
| EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology | std | — |
| Lane Departure & Sway Warning | std | — |
| Lead Vehicle Start Alert | std | — |
| LED Steering Responsive Headlights w/High Beam Assist | std | — |
| Pre-Collision Braking, Follow Distance Warning, and Throttle Management | std | — |
| Rear Seat Reminder | std | — |
| Rear-Vision Camera | std | — |
| Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) with electronic traction control (TCS) and rollover sensor | std | — |
| Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) with electronic traction control (TCS) and rollover sensor | std | — |
| Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) with electronic traction control (TCS) and rollover sensor | std | — |
Infotainment10 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T Wi-Fi Hotspot (30-day free trial or up to 3GB / Subscription Required After): Integrated Streaming, Wi-Fi HotSpot | std | — |
| 3.5 MM Auxiliary Input Jack | std | — |
| 4-Speaker System | std | — |
| AM/FM Stereo HD Radio® | std | — |
| Bluetooth® Audio Streaming, Hands-Free Phone Connectivity, SMS Text Messaging | std | — |
| SiriusXM | opt | — |
| Subaru Dual 7-inch Multimedia System | std | — |
| USB-A charge port (Front Center Console) | std | — |
| USB-Based Android Auto™ | std | — |
| USB-Based Apple CarPlay® | std | — |
Convenience1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| 12-Volt Power Outlet (Front Center Console) | std | — |
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control w/Voice Activation | std | — |
Seating3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| 6-Way Manual Driver's Seat | std | — |
| 60/40 Folding Rear Seatback | std | — |
| Cloth Upholstery | std | — |
Interior3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2-inch Combination Meter Display | std | — |
| Cargo Area Light | std | — |
| Welcome Lighting | std | — |
Exterior6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Crossbar Mounting Points | std | — |
| Door Cladding | std | — |
| Ladder Type Roof Rails | std | — |
| Power Mirrors | std | — |
| Sound Insulating Windshield | std | — |
| Wheel Arch Cladding | std | — |
Powertrain1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive | std | — |
Chassis1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Active Torque Vectoring (Brake based) | std | — |
Cargo1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo Area Hooks | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPSubaru Forester
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Tesla Model Y
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Tesla Model Y | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29,995 (base trim) | — |
| Price range across trims | $29,995 – $41,545 9 trims | — |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | BEV |
| EPA configuration compared | Forester Hybrid AWD | Model Y RWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 36 | 136 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,750 | $550 |
| EV range | — | 321 mi |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | — |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2027 Subaru Forester or the 2027 Tesla Model Y?
The Tesla Model Y wins clearly, 100 to 69.9, on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Tesla Model Y scores 100 and the 2027 Subaru Forester 69.9. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2027 Subaru Forester or the 2027 Tesla Model Y?
2027 Subaru Forester: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. 2027 Tesla Model Y: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2027 Subaru Forester and the 2027 Tesla Model Y?
Where the 2027 Tesla Model Y wins: it is rated 136 combined against 36 (EPA mpg or MPGe) and costs $1,200 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $1,750). What they share: a Safety Signal of 100.