The Subaru Forester Has Been a Consumer Reports Top Pick for 13 Years. The Crosstrek Is Following Its Lead.

Some automotive awards come and go with each new model year. The Subaru Forester has now landed on Consumer Reports’ Annual 10 Top Picks list for 13 consecutive years, which means its latest win is part of a much longer story. For 2026, the Forester was named Consumer Reports’ Best Compact SUV, while the Subaru Crosstrek earned Best Subcompact SUV for the third year in a row. This is also the third consecutive year the two Subaru SUVs have appeared on the Top Picks list together.

At Zappone Subaru in Norwich, that combination makes plenty of sense to us. The Forester and Crosstrek take two different approaches to the practical Subaru SUV, but both give Central New York drivers standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, useful ground clearance and comfortable everyday drivability. Both are also now available with hybrid powertrains for 2026. If either sounds like your kind of Subaru, you can Shop Our New Subaru Inventory or check our New Vehicle Specials before visiting us at 4814 State Hwy 23 in Norwich.

What Does It Actually Take to Become a Consumer Reports Top Pick?

This isn’t an award based on one impressive feature or a quick first drive. Consumer Reports says its Top Picks rank among the highest-scoring vehicles in their respective categories, with Overall Scores incorporating road-test performance, predicted reliability, owner satisfaction and safety performance.

That makes the Forester’s 13-year run particularly interesting. SUVs have changed considerably during that time, as have the expectations surrounding safety, efficiency, technology and everyday usability. Yet the Forester has continued earning a place on this very short list. The Crosstrek is building a streak of its own. Its 2026 recognition is its third consecutive selection as Consumer Reports’ Best Subcompact SUV.

Why the 2026 Subaru Forester Keeps Making the List

The Forester’s appeal has never depended on being overly complicated. Consumer Reports highlighted its comfortable ride, spacious interior, visibility, safety credentials and standard full-time Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. For 2026, there’s another significant addition to that formula: the Forester Hybrid. Consumer Reports found that the hybrid delivered a 5-mpg advantage over the conventional Forester in its testing while retaining a mechanical full-time AWD system.

That gives shoppers another way to configure a Forester depending on how and where they drive. Someone commuting around Norwich every day may prioritize efficiency, while another driver heading through rural Chenango County roads throughout a Central New York winter may be particularly interested in its standard AWD capability. You can compare available versions in our New Subaru Forester Inventory, or browse our Certified Pre-Owned Subaru Inventory if you’re interested in an earlier Forester.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Does More With a Smaller Footprint

The Crosstrek takes many of the qualities people associate with Subaru and packages them into something smaller. Consumer Reports specifically praised its ride quality, handling, versatility and ground clearance, noting that it remains comfortable even when a drive ventures off pavement. For 2026, every gas-powered Crosstrek receives a 180-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission and AWD. Consumer Reports achieved 29 mpg overall with the gas model in its testing. There’s also a new Crosstrek Hybrid, which carries an EPA-estimated 36 mpg combined rating.

That combination makes the Crosstrek an interesting option for drivers who don’t necessarily need the additional space of the Forester but still want the ground clearance and AWD capability that come in handy around Upstate New York. Browse our New Subaru Crosstrek Inventory to compare what’s currently available at Zappone Subaru.

Forester or Crosstrek? It Comes Down to How Much Subaru You Need

These two SUVs earning Consumer Reports Top Pick honors in the same year makes for a useful comparison because they’re not trying to fill exactly the same role. The Crosstrek is the smaller of the two, making it an appealing choice for drivers who want an easy-to-manage daily vehicle with genuine all-weather and light off-pavement capability. The Forester gives you more interior space and the upright, visibility-focused layout that has helped make it such a longstanding favorite among compact SUV shoppers.

Both also offer hybrid options for 2026, so choosing between them no longer means choosing one model simply because you want an electrified powertrain. If you’re replacing your current vehicle, you can use our Value My Trade tool before your visit and compare its estimated value against the Forester and Crosstrek models you’re considering.

Subaru EyeSight Adds Another Layer to Everyday Driving

Safety also plays a role in Consumer Reports’ Top Pick evaluations, and both models offer Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. Depending on model and configuration, EyeSight technologies can monitor traffic movement, help optimize cruise control and provide driver-assistance functions designed to add another level of awareness behind the wheel.

If you’d like to understand what these systems actually do rather than simply reading their names on a feature list, our Subaru EyeSight page is a useful place to start before your test drive.

Come Compare the 2026 Forester and Crosstrek at Zappone Subaru

Thirteen consecutive Top Pick selections for the Forester and three for the Crosstrek give shoppers another reason to put both SUVs on the test-drive list. The more important question is which one fits your daily life better.

Visit Zappone Subaru at 4814 State Hwy 23 in Norwich, NY to compare the Forester and Crosstrek in person. You can browse our New, Pre-Owned and Certified Pre-Owned Subaru Inventory, check current Subaru Specials, or ask our team about available Subaru Military and College Graduate incentives. And once you’ve found your Subaru, we’re here for everything that follows. Our Subaru Service Department and Tire Center can help keep it ready for the roads ahead, while our Rent a Subaru program can help keep you moving when you need temporary transportation.

Tags: Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru Forester
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