Compare the2023 Subaru ForesterVS 2023 Jeep Renegade

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Forester have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Jeep Renegade doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Forester are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Renegade doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Forester Touring’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Renegade doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Forester and the Renegade 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, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Forester is safer than the Jeep Renegade:

	Forester	Renegade
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	186	207
Neck Injury Risk	23%	26%
Neck Stress	326 lbs.	332 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	248/368 lbs.	343/366 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	293	363
Chest Compression	.7 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	35%
Neck Stress	213 lbs.	221 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	105/93 lbs.	290/322 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Forester is safer than the Jeep Renegade:

	Forester	Renegade
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	66	161
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	122 lbs.	161 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	246	286
Spine Acceleration	56 G’s	73 G’s
Hip Force	670 lbs.	1157 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	121	314

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Subaru Forester is safer than the Renegade:

	Forester	Renegade
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Structure	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	107	128
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.91 in	1.02 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	245 lbs.
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	1071 lbs.	1249 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	1.26 in	1.77 in
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	12 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	625 lbs.	982 lbs.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Forester the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Renegade last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2018.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Forester has a standard 620-amp battery. The Renegade’s 500-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Forester’s reliability 45 points higher than the Renegade.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. With 8 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Subaru higher than Jeep.

Engine

The Forester’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 5 more horsepower (182 vs. 177) than the Renegade’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Subaru Forester is faster than the Jeep Renegade:

	Forester	Renegade
Zero to 60 MPH	8.3 sec	9.3 sec
Quarter Mile	16.5 sec	17.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	86.2 MPH	78.1 MPH

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

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Forester gets better mileage than the Renegade:

		MPG
Forester
	2.5 DOHC flat-4	26 city/33 hwy
	Wilderness 2.5 DOHC flat-4	25 city/28 hwy
Renegade
	1.3 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
	Trailhawk 1.3 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Forester uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Renegade requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Forester has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Renegade (16.6 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Forester higher (7 out of 10) than the Jeep Renegade (6). This means the Forester produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Renegade every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Forester has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Renegade doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Forester’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Renegade:

	Forester	Renegade
Front Rotors	12.4 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.2 inches	10.95 inches

The Forester stops much shorter than the Renegade:

	Forester	Renegade
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	181 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	117 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Forester has larger tires than the Renegade (225/60R17 vs. 215/60R17).

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 Renegade Trailhawk’s standard 65 series tires.

The Forester Wilderness has a standard full size spare so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare costs extra on the Renegade Trailhawk, and isn’t available otherwise. Without the option you must depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Forester’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the Renegade (105.1 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Forester is .9 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Renegade.

The Forester Touring handles at .83 G’s, while the Renegade Latitude pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Forester Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Renegade Trailhawk (27.3 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 29 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

Chassis

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Forester has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Renegade uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Forester has standard flush composite headlights. The Renegade has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Passenger Space

The Forester has 11.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Renegade (111.6 vs. 100.1).

The Forester has .1 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front hip room, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, 4.3 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Renegade.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Forester Premium/Sport/Wilderness/Limited/Touring’s rear seats recline. The Renegade’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Forester is 3.9 inches lower than the Renegade (15.5” vs. 19.4”). The Forester’s rear step up height is 2.4 inches lower than the Renegade’s (17.25” vs. 19.6”).

Cargo Capacity

The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Renegade with its rear seat up (28.9 vs. 18.5 cubic feet). The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Renegade with its rear seat folded (74.2 vs. 50.8 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 28.4 inches, while the Renegade’s liftover is 30.2 inches.

The Forester’s cargo area is larger than the Renegade’s in every dimension:

	Forester	Renegade
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	35.7”/73.1”	28.9”/59”
Max Width	51.5”	40.1”
Min Width	43.3”	37.6”
Height	34.8”	33.7”

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the Forester Wilderness/Limited/Touring’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Renegade doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Forester (except Base) offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Renegade doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Jeep Renegade is limited to 2000 pounds. The Forester offers up to a 3000 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

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

Ergonomics

When five different drivers share the Forester Touring, the memory system makes it convenient for each of them. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle and climate settings. The Renegade doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Forester Touring’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Renegade doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Forester Premium/Sport/Wilderness/Limited/Touring’s exterior PIN entry system. The Renegade doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its SiriusXM Guardian can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Forester has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Renegade doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Forester’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Renegade’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Consumer Reports rated the Forester’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Renegade’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Forester’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Renegade’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

The Forester has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The Renegade only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

The Renegade’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Forester’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

When the Forester Touring is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Renegade’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Forester’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Renegade offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Forester and the Renegade offer available heated front seats. The Forester Touring also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Renegade.

The Forester Premium/Sport/Wilderness/Limited/Touring has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Renegade doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Both the Forester and the Renegade offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Forester has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Renegade doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Forester owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Forester will cost $750 less than the Renegade over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Forester is less expensive to operate than the Renegade because typical repairs cost less on the Forester than the Renegade, including $145 less for a muffler, $149 less for front brake pads, $153 less for a starter and $147 less for front struts.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Forester as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Renegade isn't recommended.

The Subaru Forester outsold the Jeep Renegade by over four to one during 2022.