Subaru Forester (2013) vs. Lexus ES (2008) Specs

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2013 Subaru Forester and 2008 Lexus ES Specifications

Model Year	2013	2008
Model	Subaru Forester	Lexus ES
Engine	turbocharged 2.5L H4 DOHC-4v 224 hp@5600 226 lb-ft@3600	3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 272 hp@6200 254 lb-ft@4700
Transmission	4-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	AWD	FWD
Body	4dr SUV	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	103.0 in	109.3 in	-6.3 in
Length	169.5 in	191.1 in	-21.6 in
Width	70.1 in	71.1 in	-1 in
Height	65.9 in	57.1 in	8.8 in
Curb Weight	3440 lb.	3580 lb.	-140 lb.
Fuel Capacity	16.9 gal.	18.5 gal.	-1.6 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	41.6 in	37.4 in	4.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	56.1 in	57.3 in	-1.2 in
Hip Room, Row 1	0.0 in	55.9 in	-55.9 in
Legroom, Row 1	43.1 in	42.2 in	0.9 in
Headroom, Row 2	40.0 in	36.8 in	3.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	55.6 in	56.3 in	-0.7 in
Hip Room, Row 2	0.0 in	52.8 in	-52.8 in
Legroom, Row 2	38.0 in	35.9 in	2.1 in
Total Legroom	81.1 in (over 2 rows)	78.1 in (over 2 rows)	3 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	33.5 ft³	14.7 ft³	18.8 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	68.3 ft³	14.7 ft³	53.6 ft³

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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2013 Subaru Forester

2013 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2014	Beyond visibility, people buy crossovers to get more space for people and cargo. As in previous Subaru Foresters, the 2014's ceiling is cathedral-high. I could have worn a top hat inside. If you're very tall, and have been seeking a compact vehicle in which you'll easily fit, you've found one. If, on the other hand, you've been seeking expansive elbow room, the Honda CR-V has more of it. And legroom? A combined (first and second row) figure of 81 inches tops every other compact SUV, including the otherwise segment-leading Honda (79.6 inches) and Toyota RAV-4 (79.8 inches). The Chevrolet Equinox offers another tenth of an inch, but with a 188-inch length (vs. the Forester's 181) and 4,083-pound curb weight (vs. the Forester 2.5i's 3,366) it's not truly compact. Subaru has worked no such miracles with shoulder room. At 56.5 inches, the Forester's is typical of the compact crossover class. Add in a small driveline hump (absent in the Honda) and three adults won't happily share the rear seat for long. But how many car owners put three adult-sized people in the second row for long, anyway? Measurements don't tell the entire story. The Honda's rear seat cushion is too low to the floor to provide adults with thigh support, and its rear seatback can be reclined to only two nearly identical positions. In constrast, the Forester's passengers enjoy a comfortably high rear seat that reclines through a broader range. One negative for rear seat comfort: unlike the Ford Escape (but like nearly all other compact crossovers, including the CR-V), the Forester has no rear air vents. Thanks to the tall, square rear body, cargo space is also the best in the segment, though not by as large a margin as the rear seat. Up front, there are plenty of bins in which to stash your stuff. see full Subaru Forester review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2013 Subaru Forester

2013 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2014	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	Huge rear seat for the car's size see full Subaru Forester review
2014	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	Excellent rear seat comfort and rear seats are 60/ 40 and easy to fold flat. rear seats also have recline function which is nice ... excellent leg room see full Subaru Forester review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2008 Lexus ES

2008 Lexus ES Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2008	4dr Sedan 272-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Similar to the front seats, super comfortable and soft. A lot of leg room with an average-sized driver + passenger up front. Rear moonroof gives off the feel of a huge ceiling. see full Lexus ES review

2008 Lexus ES Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2008	4dr Sedan 272-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	the seams in a seat should run front to rear vs. left to right this would make the seat more comfortable. the Toyota Camry leather seats are definitely more comparable... I think Lexis wanted a sportier looking seat but sacrificed comfort in doing see full Lexus ES review
2008	4dr Sedan 272-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	There is simply not enough legroom and three passengers will probably feel very cramped in the back as well. see full Lexus ES review
2007	4dr Sedan 272-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Had a ton of trouble with front seat comfort - had to trade it in after only 4 mos. Even my daughter's Sonata was more comfortable. Did everything i could to rectifiy - even had firmer cushions put into driver seat. Others have had the same issue. see full Lexus ES review
2007	4dr Sedan 272-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Most awful front seats i have ever experienced in 40 yrs of driving. I have done everything i can to make it comfortable. Even had extra firmer padding added to the driver seat. Pain in my leg and lower back is unbearable - check forums for Lexus owners - seems to be a problem with taller men and even some women. Never ever had a problem like this in any car i have had or driven. Strange issue. see full Lexus ES review
2007	4dr Sedan 272-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	If tall person sits in front seat, rear seat will not have a lot of legroom. Otherwise, very comfortable. Poor interior lighting in rear (front is bad, too, but slightly better). see full Lexus ES review

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