Compare the2025 Subaru ForesterVS 2026 Jeep Cherokee

The Forester has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Subaru Forester achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Jeep Cherokee has not been tested.

Both the Forester and the Cherokee have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Subaru Forester (Vehicles built after April 2025) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Cherokee has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Forester has a standard 620-amp battery. The Cherokee’s 550-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Jeep With 63 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Jeep.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Jeep is ranked 19th.

As tested in Motor Trend the Subaru Forester 4 cyl. is faster than the Jeep Cherokee:

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Forester lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The Forester has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cherokee (16.6 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Forester’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Cherokee are solid, not vented.

The Forester’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cherokee’s standard 65 series tires.

The Forester’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the Cherokee’s (58.6% to 41.4%). This gives the Forester more stable handling and braking.

The Forester Sport handles at .82 G’s, while the Cherokee Overland pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Forester Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the Cherokee Overland (27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Forester Premium/Limited Hybrid’s turning circle is 5.2 feet tighter than the Cherokee’s (35.1 feet vs. 40.3 feet). The Forester’s turning circle is 4.9 feet tighter than the Cherokee’s (35.4 feet vs. 40.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Forester has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Cherokee (8.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Forester to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Forester Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 1.2 inches higher than on the Cherokee (9.2 vs. 8 inches).

The Subaru Forester may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 800 pounds less than the Jeep Cherokee.

The Forester is 5.4 inches shorter than the Cherokee, making the Forester easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Forester has 3.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Cherokee (110.8 vs. 107.4).

The Forester has 1 inch more front headroom, 4.8 inches more front legroom and .1 inches more front shoulder room than the Cherokee.

The front step up height for the Forester is 3 inches lower than the Cherokee (15.5” vs. 18.5”).

The Forester has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Cherokee with its rear seat folded (74.4 vs. 68.3 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Forester easier. The Forester’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.9 inches, while the Cherokee’s liftover is 31.2 inches.

The engine in the Forester is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Cherokee. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Jeep. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 34% lower rating, Jeep is ranked 21st.

The Forester Premium/Sport/Limited/Touring’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Cherokee’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Forester has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Cherokee doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Forester to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Cherokee doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Forester as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.