How the 2025 Equinox Outdoes the 2025 Subaru Forester

As far as auto brands are concerned, Chevy and Subaru seem to be worlds apart. For over a century, Chevy has been the brand that more commuters and tradespeople trust with its multiple offerings that cater to the needs of all kinds of drivers. On the other hand, Subaru has remained a niche brand that relies on standard all-wheel drive and a general boxy design that has changed very little over the years.

With the 2025 model year in full swing and the SUV class more popular than ever, these two brands have multiple comparable options for buyers. Chevy has the Equinox, a popular compact SUV with nimble handling and economical performance. Competing against it is the Subaru Forester, which has no FWD option and an outdated design. We’re providing this comparison that pits the 2025 Chevy Equinox vs 2025 Subaru Forester to see firsthand how Chevy continues to outdo the competition.

Price and Performance

What’s the first thing you look at when shopping for a vehicle? Some might say performance, but in our years of experience, we’ve noticed that cost is what prospective buyers look at first. Getting a good vehicle for an affordable price is key.

The Subaru Forester has a starting MSRP of $29,995, which is considered average for the compact SUV class. The Chevy Equinox has a lower starting price of just $28,600. How much you pay for a vehicle determines many things, from taxes and license fees to insurance premiums, so every dollar counts. From the get-go, Chevy establishes its desire to offer its compact SUV at a lower cost than the competition.

Besides being more affordable than the Forester, the Chevy Equinox is far more versatile for drivers. The Equinox and Forester are equipped with four-cylinder engines that provide an economical means of commuting. The main difference between the vehicles is the standard drivetrain.

Subaru has been consistent with its fleet for several years in terms of performance, and the 2025 Forester is no exception. Subaru’s compact SUV comes with standard all-wheel drive and a Boxer engine that pairs with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup from Subaru is good for some, but not all. The Chevy Equinox can be equipped with either front- or all-wheel drive, depending on your preference. Front-wheel-drive versions of the Equinox have a CVT to bolster fuel economy, while all-wheel-drive versions have an eight-speed automatic transmission, which greatly improves performance and torque.

Verdict: The Chevy Equinox sells for a lower price than the Subaru Forester, which is good news for budget-conscious consumers. The Equinox is more affordable, and its multiple drivetrain options make it far more versatile for drivers. Whether in the city limits or going off-road, a version of the Chevy Equinox can be suited just for you.

Interior Technology

The cost of a vehicle might be the first thing you notice when shopping, but it’s the interior where many choices are made regarding what you decide to buy. After all, this is where you will spend most of your time with your vehicle. The modern driver expects an exhilarating and informative time behind the wheel, so access to apps and technology that advise and entertain is crucial in an ever-increasing digital age. Thus, let’s review the technology you can enjoy behind the wheel of these two models…

An infotainment screen provides the gateway to apps and technologies. The Subaru Forester and Chevy Equinox both offer a screen that spans over 11 inches, but only the Equinox makes that screen standard across all trims. Accessibility is essential, and Subaru’s entry trim features an outdated and minuscule 7-inch screen. Besides the relative size comparison with both brands, they offer several similar features, such as wireless compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, bonuses like built-in navigation and a wireless charging dock are limited to the upper trims of the Subaru Forester and are not standard.

Besides offering many infotainment features standard across all trims, the Chevy Equinox has a more intuitive and user-friendly screen that’s placed in a position where the driver can access features much more easily. The Equinox’s infotainment system also provides wireless compatibility with Apple and Android products but now has Google integration, too, so drivers can access music, maps, and more through the world’s most powerful search engine. Furthermore, enhanced voice connectivity provides a much more savvy experience than someone gets from Subaru.

Verdict: Both the Equinox and Forester have intuitive and user-friendly infotainment setups that provide drivers with access to the technologies they use daily. However, having more features and a larger screen across all trims shows Chevy’s dedication to giving customers more for their money. Including Google and enhanced voice recognition provides the Equinox with an edge over the Forester that cannot be overlooked.

Driver Assistance Features

There’s nothing more important than being safe on the road. Modern vehicles are designed to be sustainable and secure and come equipped with various technologies that provide additional protection and oversight. The Chevy Equinox and Subaru Forester have abundant safety features, which will be our final realm for comparing these two SUVs. Before examining their driver assistance tools, though, it’s worth mentioning that the Equinox and Forester both received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA in collision testing, verifying that they are equally well designed to shield you in the event of an accident.

The Chevy Equinox and Subaru Forester have many standard features that are meant to protect you from danger. Both vehicles come with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and a forward collision alert, all of which are intended to enhance reaction time and help avoid a potential collision. Other standard features include lane-departure warnings and rear cross-traffic braking. These features are included across all trims of both models and speak to both brands’ commitment to keeping their customers safe.

2025 sees the Chevy Equinox equipped with a vast array of standard items across all trims. New standard technologies across all trims include a rear park aid, a lane change alert with a side blind zone alert, a side bicyclist alert, and enhanced lane-keeping assistance. A notable advantage the Equinox has over the Forester is the inclusion of GM’s Teen Driver tool. Parents can limit things like top speed and stereo volume to ensure their budding drivers focus on the road ahead. This tool also provides a virtual report card that keeps parents informed about their child’s driving habits.

Verdict: Both the Chevy Equinox and Subaru Forester have plenty of safety features meant to provide protection and oversight. However, Chevy’s abundance of new and unique tech makes the Equinox a better pick for customers who prioritize safety.

The 2025 Chevy Equinox Is the Ideal Choice

When comparing the Chevy Equinox to the Subaru Forester, it’s clear that Chevy holds the upper hand. The 2025 Equinox is more affordable than the 2025 Forester and allows drivers to choose their preferred drivetrain. Behind the wheel, the Equinox offers more intuitive infotainment with the inclusion of Google and a large screen standard across all trims. Both vehicles offer strong safety and plenty of driving assistance features, but the more advanced items from Chevy show that it’s on the cutting edge.

If the 2025 Chevy Equinox checks all of the boxes regarding your needs, test drive one today and experience its excellence for yourself.