Planning a seasonal getaway requires a vehicle that effortlessly transitions from tight city blocks to open interstate lanes. Many of our customers arrive at our showroom torn between two of the most capable crossovers on the market today. Both the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek and the 2024 Subaru Forester come standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making them exceptionally prepared for unexpected detours. Deciding which one is right for your upcoming travel plans depends on your specific space requirements, fuel economy goals, and passenger dynamics.
The compact footprint of the Crosstrek appeals to solo travelers and couples who want a nimble ride that is easy to park in crowded urban areas. On the other hand, the Forester offers a traditional SUV silhouette with a taller greenhouse, catering to families who need maximum utility and an open, airy cabin. Both models offer specialized Wilderness trims that raise the ground clearance even further—to 9.3 inches—and add all-terrain tires for those planning to explore rugged campsites.
To help you make an informed decision before you pack your bags, our team is always available to walk you through the key differences in person. You can easily find our showroom on Irving Park Road, where we keep a diverse selection of both models ready for a test drive. If you prefer to speak with a sales consultant about available trim configurations or current model availability before making the trip, feel free to give us a quick call at (708) 943-9726.
Table of Contents
- Comparing Cargo Space and Luggage Capacity for Extended Road Trips
- Highway Performance: Engine Power, Passing Speed, and Fuel Economy
- Ride Comfort and Family Travel: Why the Forester Excels on Long Drives
- Answering Your Top Questions About Subaru Road Trip Capability
- Finding Your Next Subaru and Financing Your Summer Road Trip in Chicago
Comparing Cargo Space and Luggage Capacity for Extended Road Trips
How much gear are you planning to bring along on your next journey? If your packing list includes bulky items like oversized coolers, large suitcases, camping stoves, or stroller systems, cargo volume becomes the deciding factor. The Forester is the clear leader when it comes to raw carrying capacity, offering up to about 74 cubic feet of maximum cargo space when you fold the 60/40-split flat-folding rear seatbacks down. Even with a full car of passengers, you still get up to about 30 cubic feet of dedicated trunk space behind the second row. The tall, wide rear gate opening of the Forester makes loading heavy storage bins incredibly straightforward.
The Crosstrek, while highly versatile, is designed with a sleeker, more compact hatch profile. It provides up to about 55 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume with the rear seats folded flat. When the second row is fully occupied by passengers, the available trunk space behind the rear seats is about 20 cubic feet. This is plenty of room for several duffel bags, grocery hauls, or a pair of standard suitcases, but packing for a multi-week family trip requires more strategic placement than it would in the Forester. To expand your carrying capacity, both models feature integrated roof rails, allowing you to easily mount cargo boxes, kayak carriers, or bike racks.
If you want to compare these cargo layouts side by side to see how your own gear might fit, you can browse our new-vehicle inventory online to see which trims are currently parked on our lot. Before you head out on a long drive, it is also a great idea to check our current special parts and accessory offers to find deals on genuine Subaru all-weather cargo trays, protective seatback covers, and roof rack attachments.
Highway Performance: Engine Power, Passing Speed, and Fuel Economy
Is the base engine in the Crosstrek powerful enough for long highway stretches? For the 2024 model year, the Crosstrek features a standard 2.0-liter direct-injection BOXER engine on its entry-level trims, producing 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. While this powertrain is highly efficient and perfectly suited for daily commuting, drivers who frequently travel with a fully loaded cabin or navigate steep mountain passes generally prefer the upgraded 2.5-liter BOXER engine. This larger engine is standard on the Sport, Limited, and Wilderness trims, delivering 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque for much more confident highway merging and passing capability.
The Forester simplifies your powertrain choice by utilizing the 2.5-liter BOXER engine with 182 horsepower as its single, standard engine across the entire lineup. This setup provides a highly consistent, predictable power delivery that feels robust even when the vehicle is packed with luggage. When it comes to fuel efficiency, the lighter weight and lower profile of the Crosstrek give it a minor edge at the pump. The 2.0-liter Crosstrek trims achieve an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. In comparison, the Forester achieves an EPA-estimated 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.
Both crossovers feature a generous 16.6-gallon fuel tank, which translates to an impressive highway driving range of over 560 miles per tank for the Crosstrek and over 540 miles per tank for the Forester. If you are looking for excellent value on a highly capable highway cruiser, you can explore our pre-owned vehicle selection to find late-model options. We also recommend checking out our current new vehicle information to see our latest featured available offers on these highly efficient road trip vehicles.
Ride Comfort and Family Travel: Why the Forester Excels on Long Drives
Which of these two SUVs delivers the most relaxing experience during an eight-hour drive? While both vehicles are built on the exceptionally rigid Subaru Global Platform, the Forester features a longer wheelbase and a slightly softer suspension calibration. This combination allows the Forester to absorb highway expansion joints, pavement seams, and uneven surfaces with incredible composure. The taller cabin design also yields massive windows, providing passengers with excellent outward visibility and reducing the feeling of claustrophobia on long journeys.
The Forester is particularly well-suited for family travel because of its generous rear-seat dimensions. Rear passengers enjoy abundant legroom and headroom, making it easy to install bulky rear-facing child safety seats without forcing the driver or front passenger to slide their seats forward. Additionally, the Forester offers premium amenities on higher trims, such as reclining rear seatbacks, rear USB-A and USB-C charging ports, and an available panoramic moonroof that floods the cabin with natural light.
While the Crosstrek delivers a slightly sportier, more car-like handling dynamic that younger buyers often love, it has a louder cabin on the highway compared to the more insulated Forester. If you want to experience this difference in ride quality firsthand, our team can show you our exceptionally maintained dealer courtesy vehicles, which represent a fantastic opportunity to purchase a low-mileage, current-model-year Subaru that feels brand new.
Answering Your Top Questions About Subaru Road Trip Capability
Q: Can you fit a bicycle inside the Subaru Crosstrek without removing a wheel?
A: Due to the lower roofline and narrower rear hatch opening of the Crosstrek, fitting a standard adult bicycle inside the cabin typically requires you to remove the front wheel and fold down the rear seats. For a much easier hauling experience, we recommend utilizing a hitch-mounted bike rack or roof-mounted carriers.
Q: What are the towing capacities of the Crosstrek and Forester?
A: Most trims of both the Crosstrek and Forester are rated to tow up to 1,500 pounds, which is perfect for small utility trailers or lightweight teardrop campers. However, if you step up to the rugged Wilderness models, the Crosstrek Wilderness increases towing capacity to 3,500 pounds, while the Forester Wilderness is rated to tow up to 3,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Q: Which model has a more comfortable seat design for long-distance driving?
A: Both models feature highly supportive front seats designed to reduce fatigue by aligning the pelvis and spine. However, the Forester offers more adjustment options on its mid-to-high trims, including an available 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support, as well as an 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat on top-tier trims.
Q: Is Subaru Roadside Assistance included if I experience an issue during my trip?
A: Yes, every new Subaru comes with a comprehensive warranty that includes complimentary roadside coverage for 3 years or 36,000 miles. If you run out of fuel, get a flat tire, or experience a mechanical breakdown far from home, you can contact Subaru Roadside Assistance: 800-261-2155 for factory-backed support and towing to the nearest authorized Subaru service center.
If you are planning to upgrade your current vehicle before your next big summer excursion, you can easily value your trade-in online using our transparent appraisal tool to see how much equity you can apply toward your new purchase.
Finding Your Next Subaru and Financing Your Summer Road Trip in Chicago
Deciding between these two highly capable crossovers ultimately comes down to your personal travel style. If you are a solo adventurer or couple living in the historic bungalow districts of Irving Park, the agile handling and easy parking of the Crosstrek make it a perfect dual-purpose vehicle for daily city driving and weekend escapes. However, if you are packing up for a family beach trip along the Lake Michigan waterfront in Rogers Park, the superior cargo volume, taller cabin, and serene ride of the Forester will keep everyone comfortable over long highway miles.
Our finance department is dedicated to making your buying experience as transparent and straightforward as possible. We work with a wide variety of lenders to secure current financing options that fit your budget. You can save time at the dealership by taking a few minutes to get pre-approved for financing through our secure online application.
Once your paperwork is ready, we invite you to visit our showroom at 4330 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641 to explore both models in person. Our knowledgeable sales team is here to help you find the perfect vehicle for all your upcoming summer adventures. If you have any final questions about our current inventory or want to schedule a test drive today, please give our team a call at (708) 943-9726.
Keep Your Vehicle Running Strong
Keep your vehicle performing at its best with our service team:
© 2026 Berman Subaru of Chicago. All rights reserved.