Compare the2025 Subaru ForesterVS 2025 Volvo XC40

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

Safety

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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 Volvo XC40 has not been tested.

Both the Forester and the XC40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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 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 Volvo XC40:

	Forester	XC40
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	198	200
Neck Injury Risk	24.4%	30%
Leg Forces (l/r)	276/274 lbs.	361/380 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	211	343
Neck Compression	53 lbs.	66 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	236/225 lbs.	397/411 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 Volvo XC40:

	Forester	XC40
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	56	78
Chest Movement	.4 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	84 lbs.	156 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	640 lbs.	755 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	167	237

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 XC40:

	Forester	XC40
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	103	129
Neck Tension	201 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.87 in	1.46 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.02 in	1.65 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	9 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	892 lbs.	1182 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	193	387
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	1.34 in	1.5 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	580 lbs.	692 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Subaru Forester ((except Wilderness)) achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The XC40 is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the Forester 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC40 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Forester’s warranty.

Reliability

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 63 points higher than the XC40.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 59 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Volvo With 47 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Volvo.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 15th.

Engine

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Forester lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The XC40 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Forester gets better mileage than the XC40:

			MPG
Forester
	AWD	2.5 flat-4 Hybrid	35 city/34 hwy
		2.5 DOHC flat-4	26 city/33 hwy
		Sport/Touring 2.5 DOHC flat-4	25 city/32 hwy
XC40
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/30 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Forester uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XC40 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Forester has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (16.6 vs. 14.2 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 (6 out of 10) than the Volvo XC40 (4). This means the Forester produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC40 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 XC40 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

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 XC40 are solid, not vented.

The Forester stops much shorter than the XC40:

	Forester	XC40
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	185 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	127 feet	132 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

The Forester Sport handles at .82 G’s, while the XC40 B5 Plus pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Forester Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XC40 B5 Plus (27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Forester Premium/Limited Hybrid’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the XC40’s (35.1 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The Forester’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the XC40’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Forester has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XC40 (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Forester to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Forester Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 1.1 inches higher than on the XC40 (9.2 vs. 8.1 inches).

Chassis

The Subaru Forester may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the Volvo XC40.

The front grille of the Forester uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The XC40 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Forester has 12.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC40 (110.8 vs. 98).

The Forester has 2.2 inches more front headroom, 2.4 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more rear legroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Forester Premium/Sport/Wilderness/Limited/Touring’s rear seats recline. The XC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Forester is 2.2 inches lower than the XC40 (15.5” vs. 17.7”). The Forester’s rear step up height is .9 inches lower than the XC40’s (17.25” vs. 18.2”).

Cargo Capacity

The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC40 with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 20.4 cubic feet). The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 with its rear seat folded (74.4 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

The Forester’s cargo area is larger than the XC40’s in every dimension:

	Forester	XC40
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36.5”/70.7”	34.9”/65.7”
Max Width	51.2”	41.7”
Min Width	43.3”	37.3”
Height	34.9”	29.4”

Towing

A Trailer Stability Assist is standard on the Forester, using the Vehicle Dynamics Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the XC40.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Forester is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC40. 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 Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 36% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 23rd.

Ergonomics

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 XC40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Forester has standard extendable sun visors. The XC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Forester to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XC40 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Forester Touring keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The XC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 Volvo XC40 isn't recommended.

The Subaru Forester outsold the Volvo EX40/XC40 by almost seven to one during 2024.

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