Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2008 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Volkswagen Golf / GTI 2011

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Subaru Forester vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI Price Comparison (MSRP)

The sticker prices, before adjusting for remaining feature differences. Usually these are the numbers you will see on the window stickers.

Models in short supply often sell at or even above these prices.

Subaru Forester vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI Invoice Comparison

Lowest Total Price: $28,235

Subaru Forester 2.5 X L.L. Bean Edition   
Difference: $2,595

Lowest Total Invoice: $26,200

Subaru Forester 2.5 X L.L. Bean Edition   
Difference: $3,379

Calculate Payments

  Down Payment Interest Rate Term
Model Year200820082011
ModelForesterForesterGolf / GTI
Trim2.5 X L.L. Bean Edition2.5 XT LimitedGTI
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Hatch
Base Price $26,695 $27,895 $24,295
Base Invoice $24,930 $26,116 $23,323
Bright-finished exhaust tip(s) 42    
All-weather floor mats 55 55 235
Satellite radio 445 445  
Rear spoiler 353 353  
Autobahn Package     5,530
Bright-finished exhaust tip(s) 28    
All-weather floor mats 33 33 176
Satellite radio 334 334  
Rear spoiler 230 230  
Autobahn Package     5,310
Options (change) 895 853 5,765
Options (change) 625 597 5,486
Destination 645 645 770
Total Price $28,235 $29,393 $30,830
Total Invoice $26,200 $27,358 $29,579

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While we strive for accuracy, the site is not error-free, and prices can change at any time.

Dealer Price Quotes

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Request free, no-obligation Subaru Forester dealer quotes or Volkswagen Golf / GTI dealer quotes from dealers using our car quote form.

The process is easy and takes just a minute or two. You'll receive price quotes from local approved dealers within 48 hours.

TrueDelta Value Comparison: Subaru Forester vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI

Lowest Adjusted Price and Invoice: Subaru Forester 2.5 X L.L. Bean Edition
TrueDelta Adjusted Price Difference: $3,150
TrueDelta Adjusted Invoice Difference: $3,884
Model Year200820082011
ModelForesterForesterGolf / GTI
Trim2.5 X L.L. Bean Edition2.5 XT LimitedGTI
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Hatch
Engine173hp H4224hp H4200hp I4
TransmissionA4M5M6
DrivetrainAWDAWDFWD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway)/ MPG/ MPG/ MPG
Audio (watts, speakers)120, 7155, 7300, 8
Tire (rear if not all the same)215/60-16215/55-17225/40-18
Total Price$28,235$29,393$30,830
Adjustments for Features-8900-335
Feature-Adjusted Total Price$27,345$29,393$30,495
Cost Above Minimum$0$2,048$0
Total Invoice$26,200$27,358$29,579
Adjustments for Features-8260-321
Feature-Adjusted Total Invoice$25,374$27,358$29,258
Cost Above Minimum$0$1,984$0

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Features Comparison: Subaru Forester vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI

Model Year200820082011
ModelForesterForesterGolf / GTI
Trim2.5 X L.L. Bean Edition2.5 XT LimitedGTI
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Hatch
Transmission and Drivetrain 
4-speed automatic$800  
5-speed manual $0 
6-speed manual  $150
AWD$1700$1700 
FWD  $0
Accessories 
Proximity key  $250
Tilt steering wheel, manual$150$150 
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual  $250
Universal garage door opener$100  
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety 
Brake assist  $50
Side curtain airbags  $350
Stability control  $400
Traction control  $100
Cargo Management 
Air-conditioned storage compartment  $50
Cargo mat$40 $40
Rear seat pass-through  $100
Roof rack$300$300 
Climate Control 
Automatic climate control, front$200$200 
Heated windshield washer nozzles  $15
Rear air vents  $100
Wiper de-icer$25$25 
Drivetrain 
Limited-slip rear differential$300$300 
Exterior 
Bodyside cladding$350$350 
Hood scoop $100 
Sunroof  $900
Sunroof, large$1100$1100 
Infotainment 
Audio controls on steering wheel  $125
Bluetooth audio streaming  $25
Bluetooth cell phone link  $100
CD changer, in-dash$325$325 
CD player  $125
HD radio  $50
iPod integration  $100
Navigation system  $600
SD Card slot  $25
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors 
Auto-dimming rearview mirror$150  
Automatic-off headlights$25$25 
Compass$0 $0
Illuminated visor mirror, driver  $50
Illuminated visor mirror, passenger  $50
Steering-linked headlights  $150
Trip computer  $150
Visor mirror, driver$10$10 
Visor mirror, passenger$10$10 
Xenon HID headlights  $500
Seats and Interior Trim 
Aluminum trim  $100
Door sill trim plates $100$100
Leather-wrapped steering wheel $150$150
Manual height adjuster, driver seat  $50
Manual height adjuster, passenger seat  $50
Manual lumbar adjuster, passenger seat  $50
Metal pedals  $75
Power fore-aft adjuster, driver seat$100$100 
Power height adjuster, driver seat$100$100 
Power recliner, passenger seat  $100
Power tilt adjuster, driver seat$100$100 
Synthetic suede inserts in leather seating surfaces$0  
Wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel$150  
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires 
Sport suspension (upgrade)  $0
Total Value of Features$6,035$5,145$5,480
Value of Feature Adjustments$890$0$335
Value of Feature Adjustments-8260-321

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Specifications Comparison: Subaru Forester vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI

Model Year20082011
ModelForesterGolf / GTI
Body4dr SUV4dr Hatch
Wheelbase99.4 in101.5 in
Length176.6 in165.4 in
Width68.3 in70.3 in
Height65.0 in58.3 in
Curb Weight3,166 lb.2,969 lb.
Fuel Capacity15.9 gal.14.5 gal.
Row 1 Headroom39.8 in39.3 in
Row 1 Shoulder Room53.5 in54.7 in
Row 1 Hip Room51.6 in0.0 in
Row 1 Legroom43.6 in41.2 in
Row 2 Headroom39.7 in38.5 in
Row 2 Shoulder Room53.6 in52.8 in
Row 2 Hip Room51.6 in0.0 in
Row 2 Legroom33.7 in35.5 in
Cargo Volume,
Minimum
32.0 ft315.0 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Maximum
57.7 ft346.0 ft3

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Option Package Details
Volkswagen Golf / GTI GTI

All-weather floor mats
FeatureValueRequested?
All-weather floor mats75Yes
Cargo mat40No
Total Requested7565%
Total Not Requested4035%
Autobahn Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Leather seating surfaces900Yes
Proximity key250No
Dynaudio, 300W, 8 speakers350No
Navigation system600No
Steering-linked headlights150No
Xenon HID headlights500No
HD radio50No
Audio controls on steering wheel125No
Sunroof900Yes
CD changer, in-dash200No
SD Card slot25No
Total Requested180044%
Total Not Requested225056%

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