Spec Sizes

Honda Element vs Subaru Forester Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2009 vs 2022 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 width71.5 in – 72.2 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: Honda Element is 12.5 in shorter (170.2 in vs 182.7 in)
  • Width: Honda Element is 0.3 in narrower (71.6 in vs 71.8 in)
  • Height: Honda Element is 1.8 in taller (70.0 in vs 68.2 in)
  • Wheelbase: Subaru Forester has a 5.1 in longer wheelbase (101.4 in vs 106.5 in)
  • Ground clearance: Subaru Forester has 2.4 in more ground clearance (6.6 in vs 8.9 in)
  • Curb weight: Honda Element is 33 lb heavier (3,570 lb vs 3,537 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Ground clearance: Subaru Forester has 2.4 in more ground clearance (6.6 in vs 8.9 in)
  2. Length: Honda Element is 12.5 in shorter (170.2 in vs 182.7 in)
  3. Wheelbase: Subaru Forester has a 5.1 in longer wheelbase (101.4 in vs 106.5 in)
  4. Height: Honda Element is 1.8 in taller (70.0 in vs 68.2 in)
  5. Curb weight: Honda Element is 33 lb heavier (3,570 lb vs 3,537 lb)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageHonda Element — Honda Element is shorter by 12.5 in Check garage fit for Honda Element · garage fit for Subaru Forester
  • Narrower for tight parkingHonda Element — Honda Element is narrower by 0.3 in
  • More ground clearanceSubaru Forester — Subaru Forester has 2.4 in more clearance
  • Smaller exterior footprintHonda Element — Based on length × width (Honda Element)

Dimension comparison

SpecHonda ElementSubaru ForesterDifference
Length170.2 in182.7 in12.5 in
Width71.6 in71.8 in0.3 in
Height70.0 in68.2 in1.8 in
Wheelbase101.4 in106.5 in5.1 in
Ground clearance6.6 in8.9 in2.4 in
Curb weight3,570 lb3,537 lb33 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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