Bronco Sport vs Forester
For compact suv shoppers, the Bronco Sport from Ford and the Forester from Subaru are two of the obvious candidates. You won’t find a dramatic mismatch here: the Bronco Sport and the Forester are close on nearly every line that counts.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Tie
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
Too close to call
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t engine & performance. Bottom line for engine & performance: it’s a wash.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
The differences on space & practicality are small enough to ignore in daily use. On space & practicality alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
If off-road & towing matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. If off-road & towing was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Safety & Tech
On safety & tech, the useful details are the names in the table: what each one uses, not a figure we can rank.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Bronco Sport | Forester |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 1.5L turbo I3 | 2.5L flat-4 |
| Total system output | 180 hp | 180 hp |
| Torque | N/A (not specified) | 178 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | CVT |
| Drivetrain | 4x4 | AWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Bronco Sport | Forester |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | N/A (not specified) | 29 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | N/A (not specified) | 26 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | N/A (not specified) | 33 mpg |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Bronco Sport | Forester |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Bronco Sport | Forester |
|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance | N/A (not specified) | 8.70 in |
| Max towing | N/A (not specified) | 1,500 lb |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Bronco Sport | Forester |
|---|---|---|
| Driver-assist suite | N/A (not specified) | Subaru EyeSight |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Bronco Sport if…
- you trust Ford and want to keep things familiar
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Bronco Sport or the Forester?
The Bronco Sport and the Forester split the comparison (the things a spec sheet can’t capture for the Bronco Sport, the things a spec sheet can’t capture for the Forester), so pick the strength you’ll use.
Executive Summary
Brand loyalty aside, I tried to judge the Bronco Sport and the Forester purely on what they offer.
Who should get which? The Bronco Sport for the things a spec sheet can’t capture, the Forester for the things a spec sheet can’t capture.
My pick: I’d go with the Bronco Sport if I cared most about the things a spec sheet can’t capture, and the Forester if the things a spec sheet can’t capture mattered more.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.