Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2018 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Volkswagen Golf / GTI 2021

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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: $34,452

Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring   
Difference: $3,823

Calculate Payments

  Down Payment Interest Rate Term
Model Year201820182021
ModelForesterForesterGolf / GTI
Trim2.5i Touring2.0XT TouringGTI Autobahn
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Hatch
Base Price $33,090 $36,090 $36,945
Auto-dimming rearview mirror 245 245  
Cargo net 68 68 100
All-weather floor mats 81 81 235
Door sill trim plates 53 53  
Auto-dimming rearview mirror 158 158  
Cargo net 44 44 80
All-weather floor mats 52 52 185
Door sill trim plates 34 34  
Options (change) 447 447 335
Options (change) 288 288 265
Destination 915 915 995
Total Price $34,452 $37,452 $38,275

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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.

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

Lowest Adjusted Price: Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring
Lowest Adjusted Invoice: Volkswagen Golf / GTI GTI Autobahn
TrueDelta Adjusted Price Difference: $7,343
TrueDelta Adjusted Invoice Difference: $27,551
Model Year201820182021
ModelForesterForesterGolf / GTI
Trim2.5i Touring2.0XT TouringGTI Autobahn
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Hatch
Engine170hp H4250hp H4228hp I4
TransmissionCVTCVT-8M6
DrivetrainAWDAWDFWD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway)/ MPG/ MPG/ MPG
Audio (watts, speakers)440, 8440, 8400, 9
Tire (rear if not all the same)225/55-18225/55-18225/40-18
Total Price$34,452$37,452$38,275
Adjustments for Features-3,520-3,8200
Feature-Adjusted Total Price$30,932$33,632$38,275
Cost Above Minimum$0$2,700$0

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Features Comparison: Subaru Forester vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI

Model Year201820182021
ModelForesterForesterGolf / GTI
Trim2.5i Touring2.0XT TouringGTI Autobahn
Body4dr SUV4dr SUV4dr Hatch
Transmission and Drivetrain 
CVT$1000  
8-speed manually-shiftable CVT $1100 
6-speed manual  $150
AWD$1700$1700 
FWD  $0
Accessories 
Heated steering wheel$100$100 
Lead vehicle start alert$25$25 
PIN Code Access$10$10 
Power liftgate$350$350 
Remote app  $25
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety 
Active or whiplash-reducing head restraints, front seats  $0
Automatic braking, high-speed or partial$200$200 
Backup collision intervention$150$150 
Cross-traffic collision intervention, rear  $100
Hill descent control$250$250 
Lane departure prevention, steering-based$200$200 
Lane departure warning$200$200 
Lane sway warning$25$25 
Obstacle detection, rear$250$250 
Pedestrian detection$50$50 
Radar- or camera-based collision preparation system$0$0 
Rollover sensor$50$50 
Secondary collision brake assist  $25
Terrain selector$200$200 
Torque vectoring, brake-based $100$100
Cargo Management 
Air-conditioned storage compartment  $50
Cargo mat  $40
Cargo tray$40$40 
Rear seat pass-through  $100
Roof rails$250$250 
Climate Control 
Heated windshield washer nozzles  $15
Rain-sensing wipers  $175
Rear air vents  $100
Variable intermittent wipers$75$75 
Wiper de-icer$25$25 
Drivetrain 
Limited-slip front differential  $500
Exterior 
Body kit  $0
Bodyside cladding (gray/black)$250$250 
Deep-tinted rear windows$275$275 
Painted brake calipers (optional)  $0
Infotainment 
Android Auto support  $100
Apple CarPlay support  $100
Larger infotainment display  $0
Mirrorlink support  $0
Navigation map updates, three years$0$0 
Siri Eyes Free support$0$0 
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors 
Auto-dimming headlights$200$200 
Cornering lights  $50
Seats and Interior Trim 
Door sill trim plates$100$100 
Illuminated door sill trim plates  $200
Manual height adjuster, passenger seat  $50
Manual lumbar adjuster, passenger seat  $50
Manual recliner, second row seats$75$75 
Memory system, driver seat$200$200 
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, driver seat  $150
Power lumbar adjuster, driver seat$100$100 
Power recliner, passenger seat  $100
Power release, second row seats$50$50 
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires 
Adaptive dampers - electrical  $500
Electronic systems calibration selector  $200
Sport suspension (upgrade) $0$0
Transmission 
Steering-wheel-mounted transmission controls $100 
Total Value of Features$6,400$6,700$2,880
Value of Feature Adjustments$3,520$3,820$0
Value of Feature Adjustments-3,279-3,5570

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Specifications Comparison: Subaru Forester vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI

Model Year20182021
ModelForesterGolf / GTI
Body4dr SUV4dr Hatch
Wheelbase103.9 in103.8 in
Length180.9 in167.6 in
Width70.7 in70.8 in
Height66.4 in58.2 in
Curb Weight3,323 lb.2,874 lb.
Fuel Capacity15.9 gal.13.2 gal.
Row 1 Headroom41.4 in38.4 in
Row 1 Shoulder Room57.0 in55.9 in
Row 1 Hip Room53.9 in0.0 in
Row 1 Legroom43.0 in41.2 in
Row 2 Headroom39.8 in38.1 in
Row 2 Shoulder Room56.5 in53.9 in
Row 2 Hip Room53.0 in0.0 in
Row 2 Legroom38.0 in35.6 in
Cargo Volume,
Minimum
34.4 ft317.4 ft3
Cargo Volume,
Maximum
74.7 ft353.7 ft3

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Option Package Details
Volkswagen Golf / GTI GTI Autobahn

All-weather floor mats
FeatureValueRequested?
All-weather floor mats75Yes
Cargo mat40No
Total Requested7565%
Total Not Requested4035%

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