For less than $2k, I'd take
For less than $2k, I'd take the Forester all day, every day. The Crosstrek Clearance is possible + 0.1 Inch taller. Wow. The wheelbase has very little difference as well, so the break-over metric isn't improved much. Overall length is a legitimate argument for trails, but I'd still rather have the 6-7 extra inches in the Forester. Also, I would much rather have the Japenese built Forester over the Indiana-built Crosstrek. Go camping in a Forester and tell me you are good with less space.