Honda Element vs Subaru Forester Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2009 catalog dimensions. Honda Element · Subaru Forester

Same scale for both vehicles. Generic silhouette — proportional to measured length, height, width, wheelbase, and clearance.

Side view
  • Length169.9 in – 170.4 in
  • Height69.5 in – 70.4 in
  • Wheelbase101.4 in
  • Ground clearance6.2 in – 6.9 in
  • Curb weight3,515 lb – 3,624 lb
Front / width
  • Width71.6 in
  • Subaru Forester width70.1 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: Honda Element is 9.3 in shorter (170.2 in vs 179.5 in)
  • Width: Subaru Forester is 1.5 in narrower (71.6 in vs 70.1 in)
  • Height: Honda Element is 3.5 in taller (70.0 in vs 66.4 in)
  • Wheelbase: Subaru Forester has a 1.6 in longer wheelbase (101.4 in vs 103.0 in)
  • Curb weight: Honda Element is 225 lb heavier (3,570 lb vs 3,345 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Curb weight: Honda Element is 225 lb heavier (3,570 lb vs 3,345 lb)
  2. Height: Honda Element is 3.5 in taller (70.0 in vs 66.4 in)
  3. Length: Honda Element is 9.3 in shorter (170.2 in vs 179.5 in)
  4. Width: Subaru Forester is 1.5 in narrower (71.6 in vs 70.1 in)
  5. Wheelbase: Subaru Forester has a 1.6 in longer wheelbase (101.4 in vs 103.0 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageHonda ElementHonda Element is shorter by 9.3 in Check garage fit for Honda Element · garage fit for Subaru Forester
  • Narrower for tight parkingSubaru ForesterSubaru Forester is narrower by 1.5 in
  • Smaller exterior footprintHonda ElementBased on length × width (Honda Element)

Dimension comparison

SpecHonda ElementSubaru ForesterDifference
Length170.2 in179.5 in9.3 in
Width71.6 in70.1 in1.5 in
Height70.0 in66.4 in3.5 in
Wheelbase101.4 in103.0 in1.6 in
Ground clearance6.6 in
Curb weight3,570 lb3,345 lb225 lb

Values use trim midpoints when a model year lists a range (e.g. length 169.9 in – 170.4 in).

Compare by year

Overlapping model years with dimension data.

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