Subaru Forester vs. Volkswagen Tiguan
The 2026 Subaru Forester is the cheaper one to own — roughly $4,821 less over five years, mostly because it holds its value better.
The Subaru Forester is the stronger all-round pick here — cheaper to own with little given up in return.
Last updated July 2026 · National-average estimates
Subaru Forester vs. Volkswagen Tiguan
| Metric | Subaru Forester | Volkswagen Tiguan |
|---|---|---|
| MotiveGrid Score | 79 | 74 |
| Cost of Ownership | 88 | 78 |
| Powertrain | 66 | 52 |
| Driver Assistance | 32 | 49 |
| Livability | 65 | 42 |
| Safety | 79 | 94 |
| 5-Year Cost to Own | $41,382 | $46,203 |
| Depreciation (5-yr) | $11,038 | $15,248 |
| Fuel / Energy (5-yr) | $11,546 | $11,610 |
| Insurance (5-yr) | $9,545 | $9,840 |
| Maintenance (5-yr) | $2,095 | $2,260 |
| Tires (5-yr) | $1,750 | $1,700 |
| Financing (5-yr) | $4,513 | $4,635 |
| Registration (5-yr) | $895 | $910 |
| Starting Price | $29,995 | $30,805 |
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 201 hp |
| MPG (combined) | 29 mpg | 29 mpg |
| Cargo volume | 28.9 cu ft | 26.9 cu ft |
| Seating | 5 | 5 |
| Towing capacity | 1,500 lbs | — |
| Drivetrain | AWD | FWD |
Five measured pillars, weighted into one score.
Cost, Powertrain, Driver Assistance, Livability, and Safety — each scored against its class, then combined into a single MotiveGrid Score. Built by our engineering team and benchmarked against independent sources like NHTSA, IIHS, and CarEdge. How it’s calculated →
Subaru Forester scores higher overall.
Which vehicle is right for you
Subaru Forester is the better pick for long-term ownership — about $4,821 cheaper over 5 years with stronger fundamentals on running cost.
Volkswagen Tiguan still wins if your priority is best for families.
Cost of Ownership
State
Frequently asked questions
Where these rank
- Subaru Forester ranks #1 of 3 in Easiest Compact SUV to Park and #1 of 5 in Best Compact SUV for Tall Drivers.
- Volkswagen Tiguan ranks #7 of 10 in Most Fuel-Efficient Gas SUVs.
What each one costs at the counter
Both five-year totals above count yearly registration. Neither counts what the state takes on the day you sign — sales tax and the title fee. Those are one-time, they are not the dealer’s to negotiate, and on a car at this price they run to four figures in most states. Work out yours:
- Tax, title and license in South Carolinawhat a car costs to own there
- Tax, title and license in Louisianawhat a car costs to own there
- Tax, title and license in Kentuckywhat a car costs to own there
- Tax, title and license in Texaswhat a car costs to own there
- Tax, title and license in Californiawhat a car costs to own there
Compare tax, title and license across all 22 states we cover →