Compare the2025 Subaru ForesterVS 2025 Cadillac XT4

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
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 Cadillac XT4 has not been tested.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Forester. But it costs extra on the XT4.

The Forester Touring’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The XT4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Forester and the XT4 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, 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 and rear cross-path warning.

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 Cadillac XT4:

	Forester	XT4
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	24.4%	28%
Neck Compression	39 lbs.	43 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	211	350
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	33.1%	34%
Neck Compression	53 lbs.	77 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 Cadillac XT4:

	Forester	XT4
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	56	114
Chest Movement	.4 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	84 lbs.	185 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	167	204
Spine Acceleration	34 G’s	35 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Subaru Forester (Vehicles built after April 2025) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The XT4 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Warranty

There are over 13 percent more Subaru dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it 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 Subaru Forester Hybrid’s reliability 36 points higher than the XT4 and the Subaru Forester is rated 71 points higher than the XT4.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 21st.

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 XT4 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Forester gets better mileage than the XT4:

			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
		2.5 DOHC flat-4	25 city/28 hwy
XT4
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/29 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/28 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Forester Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XT4 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Forester uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XT4 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Forester has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the XT4. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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 XT4 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Forester stops shorter than the XT4:

	Forester	XT4
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

The Forester’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the XT4’s (58.4% to 41.6%). This gives the Forester more stable handling and braking.

The Forester Sport handles at .82 G’s, while the XT4 Sport AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Forester Premium/Limited Hybrid’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the XT4’s (35.1 feet vs. 38 feet). The Forester’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the XT4’s (35.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Forester has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT4 (8.7 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Forester to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Forester Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 2.5 inches higher than on the XT4 (9.2 vs. 6.7 inches).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Forester Touring is quieter than the XT4 Sport AWD:

	Forester	XT4
At idle	27 dB	39 dB
Full-Throttle	73 dB	75 dB

Passenger Space

The Forester has 9.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XT4 (110.8 vs. 101.3).

The Forester has 1.8 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 3.9 inches more rear hip room and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the XT4.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Forester Premium/Sport/Wilderness/Limited/Touring’s rear seats recline. The XT4’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Forester is 1.5 inches lower than the XT4 (15.5” vs. 17”). The Forester’s rear step up height is .3 inches lower than the XT4’s (17.25” vs. 17.5”).

Cargo Capacity

The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XT4 with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 22.5 cubic feet). The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XT4 with its rear seat folded (74.4 vs. 48.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Forester easier. The Forester’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.9 inches, while the XT4’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The Forester’s cargo area is larger than the XT4’s in almost every dimension:

	Forester	XT4
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36.5”/70.7”	37.5”/67.4”
Max Width	51.2”	50”
Min Width	43.3”	38.7”
Height	34.9”	26.6”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Forester Wilderness/Limited/Touring’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XT4 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Forester is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XT4. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The Forester Premium/Sport/Limited/Touring’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches. The XT4’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The XT4’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Forester’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Forester to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XT4 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Subaru Forester retains 62.8% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 48.25% resale value of the 2025 Cadillac XT4 after five years, which can save the Subaru’s owner up to $9954.14081 in depreciation.

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 Cadillac XT4 isn't recommended.

The Subaru Forester outsold the Cadillac XT4 by almost 8 to one during 2024.

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