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Subaru Outback vs. Forester
If you’re shopping for a Subaru, you may have narrowed your search to the Subaru Outback and Subaru Forester – two of our best-selling models. These safe, capable, and reliable SUVs are both built with quality Subaru engineering, so there are some similarities. They both share the legendary all-weather traction of our standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, at least 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the confidence of our advanced Subaru safety features, and convenient technology like standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration. But there are very important differences between them as well. Below, we break down some of these distinctions so you can pick the Subaru that’s perfect for your lifestyle.
The biggest differences between the Subaru Outback and Subaru Forester are their shapes, sizes, and classifications. The Forester is a compact crossover, which gives it a small SUV silhouette with up to 72.4 inches of width and up to 183.3 of length – more than 8 inches fewer than the Outback. However, the Forester has a more compact shape and is slightly taller than the Outback, with a height of up to 69.3 inches. The Outback, with its longer body shape and wheelbase, is a midsize crossover designed for smooth, controlled handling. This gives it a longer, more drawn-out shape, with up to 191.7 inches of length, up to 68.3 inches of height (including roof rails), and 74 inches of width – 2 inches more than the standard Forester.
Due to its longer wheelbase and more substantial weight, driving the Outback could feel smoother over rough roads and trails compared to the Forester. Conversely, the Forester, with its taller, slightly more nimble body style, may make parallel parking in crowded city streets easier, and retailers report that some buyers appreciate the higher driver position of a more standard compact SUV.
2026 Touring shown
2026 Subaru Outback Dimensions
Length:
191.7 inches
Width:
74 inches
Height:
67.5 inches
68.3 inches (Wilderness)
Wheelbase:
108.1 inches
Base Curb Weight:
3,741 - 3,982 pounds
2026 Touring shown
2026 Subaru Forester Dimensions
Length:
183.3 inches
182.9 inches (Wilderness)
Width:
72.0 inches
72.4 (Wilderness)
Height:
68.1 inches
69.3 inches (Wilderness)
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
104.9 inches (Wilderness)
Base Curb Weight:
3,510 - 3,675 pounds
Both the Subaru Outback and the Subaru Forester use the time- and trail-tested SUBARU BOXER® engine to power their standard all-wheel drive systems. Every SUBARU BOXER engine is built with a unique horizontal layout, giving both vehicles a lower center of gravity and a finely tuned balance between power and fuel efficiency. In fact, their estimated fuel economy is almost the same, with Forester reaching up to 33 MPG** highway and 26 MPG city and the Outback getting up to 31 MPG highway and 25 MPG city with the standard engine.
The differences come in with the direct-injection turbocharged engine available only on Outback's Limited XT, Touring XT, and Wilderness trims. This engine delivers 260 horsepower – more than the 180-horsepower Forester and the 180-horsepower standard Outback engine – and 277 pound-feet of torque compared to the 178 pound-feet of torque for Forester and the 178 pound-feet of torque for Outback Premium, Limited, and Touring models. This extra power gives the Outback more maximum towing capacity at up to 3,500 pounds
2026 Subaru Outback
Engine:
2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER engine
(Available 2.4-liter Turbocharged SUBARU
BOXER engine)
Horsepower:
180 hp at 5,800 rpm (2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER engine)
260 hp at 5,600 rpm (2.4-liter Turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine)
Towing Capacity
2,700 pounds
3,500 pounds (Wilderness, XT trims)
2026 Subaru Forester
Engine:
2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER engine
Horsepower:
180 hp at 5,800 rpm
Towing Capacity
1,500 pounds
3,500 pounds (Wilderness)
When looking at the base models of the Subaru Outback and Subaru Forester, or even higher trims like the Limited or Touring, you’ll see the exact same ground clearance height of 8.7 inches. While they both share the ability to ride above large rocks or deep snow, many of their competitors can’t say the same. This lets both Outback and Forester take on the trails and weather conditions where other brands just can’t go.
It’s only when comparing the Outback Wilderness and Forester Wilderness that the differences become apparent. While both Wilderness models feature boosted clearance and standard front skid plates for truly rugged off-road adventures, the Outback Wilderness offers a higher 9.5 inches of ground clearance compared to the Forester Wilderness at 9.3 inches.
2026 Subaru Outback
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Wilderness Ground Clearance:
9.5 inches
2026 Subaru Forester
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
2026 Wilderness Ground Clearance:
9.3 inches
Outback offers ample passenger room with up to 112.3 cubic feet but features a larger maximum cargo area at up to 80.5 cubic feet with the rear seats lowered. The Forester gives you slightly less interior space with up to 110.8 cubic feet of passenger room and up to 74.4 cubic feet of cargo room with the standard 60/40-split flat-folding rear seatbacks folded down.
But when it comes to cargo and passenger volume, you can’t choose solely based on numbers. It’s how that space is configured that truly sets the Outback and Forester apart from one another. Due to its taller height, the Forester provides about an inch more front passenger headspace than the Outback, and when it comes to cargo, the longer total cargo layout of the Outback can be better suited to oversized objects like bikes, which can even be hauled with both wheels left on if laid on their side.
2026 Subaru Outback
Passengers:
Seating for up to 5
Maximum Cargo Space:
80.5 cubic feet
Interior Space:
111.1 cubic feet (Premium, Limited, Touring, Wilderness, Limited XT, and Touring XT trims with moonroof)
112.3 cubic feet (Premium and Wilderness trims without moonroof)
Passenger Legroom:
43 inches (front)
39.5 inches (rear)
Passenger Headroom:
Up to 41 inches (front)
40.5 inches (rear)
2026 Subaru Forester
Passengers:
Seating for up to 5
Maximum Cargo Space:
Up to 74.4 cubic feet
Interior Space:
106.6 cubic feet (Premium, Sport, Limited, Wilderness and Touring trims)
110.8 cubic feet (Base trim)
Passenger Legroom:
43.3 inches (front)
39.4 inches (rear)
Passenger Headroom:
Up to 41.2 inches (front)
Up to 39.6 inches (rear)
Now you’ve explored some of the major differences in specs and features between the Subaru Outback and Forester, but online research can only take you so far. Each vehicle has its own unique personality, driving feel, and customization options. You can start by building your own Outback and Forester with our online tools and try each vehicle out in a test drive at your local retailer to find the Subaru SUV that’s perfect for you.
2026 Subaru Outback
MSRP:
$34,995 - $47,995*
MPG:
Up to 31/25 MPG highway/city**
Touring shown
2026 Subaru Forester
MSRP:
$29,995* - $41,595*
MPG:
Up to 33/26 MPG highway/city**
Touring shown
2026 Subaru Outback Exterior Color Options
Certain colors are only available on select trims
Crimson Red Pearl
Crystal Black Silica
Crystal White Pearl
Deep Emerald Green Pearl
Geyser Blue
*Wilderness only
Ice Silver Metallic
Magnetite Gray Metallic
River Rock Pearl
Sapphire Blue Pearl
2026 Subaru Forester Exterior Color Options
Certain colors are only available on select trims
Autumn Green Metallic
Crimson Red Pearl
Crystal Black Silica
Crystal White Pearl
Dark Mahogany Pearl
Daybreak Blue Pearl
+ $395 paint upgrade
Geyser Blue
*Wilderness only
Ice Silver Metallic
Magnetite Gray Metallic
River Rock Pearl
+ $395 paint upgrade
Sapphire Blue Pearl
2026 Subaru Outback Available Trims
Premium
Limited
Touring
Wilderness
Limited XT
Touring XT
2026 Subaru Forester Available Trims
Base
Premium
Sport
Wilderness
Limited
Touring
Safety is one area in which Outback and Forester are very similar and both vehicles have been recognized by safety experts.
This recognition is based on trusted Subaru safety engineering like the Subaru Global Platform. Both the Outback and Forester are built on this protective architecture, which uses high-strength steel to provide durable crash protection and rigidity. They are also both equipped with industry-leading active safety systems like standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which gives you an extra set of eyes on the road, and, if need be, an extra foot on the brake when you drive
The Subaru Outback and Subaru Forester both feature standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive across every trim for outstanding capability. The balanced design of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive creates uniform stability and delivers an optimal distribution of power for maximum traction in virtually any weather or road condition. It delivers better handling, improved efficiency, and a quicker response to road conditions than competitors’ optional systems.
X-MODE®, standard on Outback and available on Forester, works in conjunction with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive to optimize your traction on slippery surfaces and includes Hill Descent Control, which helps you descend difficult grades. Select Outback and Forester trims offer an enhanced dual-function X-MODE that lets you choose settings for specific conditions like deep snow, dirt, and mud.
The Outback and Forester both use the Subaru Lineartronic® CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). The CVT system features two pulleys that can vary in width connected by a steel chain. By changing this width, the CVT can create an infinite “gearing” across its range, which lets it continuously and smoothly adapt to performance demand by keeping the engine in its most efficient operating range. Both vehicles also offer available manual modes, which allow you to move through these “gears” using paddle shifters and give you more precise engine control.
2026 Subaru Outback Transmission
- Lineartronic® CVT with Adaptive Control and 8-speed manual mode with paddle shifters (Standard on all trims)
2026 Subaru Forester Available Transmissions
- Lineartronic® CVT with Adaptive Control (Standard on Base and Premium trims)
- Lineartronic® CVT with Adaptive Control and 8-speed manual mode (Standard on Sport, Limited, Wilderness, and Touring trims)
Like every new Subaru, the Outback and Forester feature two standard warranties. The Subaru Limited Factory Warranty provides limited bumper-to-bumper coverage for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first, and the Powertrain Warranty covers the engine, transmission, and all-wheel drive and lasts for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.
You can also purchase extended coverage for both vehicles through the Subaru Added Security® Program, which offers two different plans. The Classic Plan covers major parts, including the engine, all-wheel drive (AWD), and transmission (as well as towing and car rental), while the Gold Plus Plan adds coverage to air conditioning, electrical, steering, front suspension, brakes, and other systems.
2026 Subaru Outback Multimedia Touchscreens
- MySubaru Connected Services® Multimedia with dual 7-inch touchscreens (Standard on Base trim)
- MySubaru Connected Services® Multimedia Plus with 11.6-inch touchscreen (Standard on Premium, Onyx Edition, Onyx Edition XT, and Wilderness trims)
- MySubaru Connected Services® Multimedia Navigation with 11.6-inch touchscreen (Standard on Limited, Touring, Limited XT, and Touring XT trims. Optional on Premium, Limited, and Wilderness trims)
2026 Subaru Forester Multimedia Touchscreens
- MySubaru Connected Services® System with dual 7-inch touchscreens (Standard on Base trim)
- MySubaru Connected Services® Multimedia Plus System with 11.6-inch touchscreen (Standard on Premium, Sport, Wilderness, and Limited trims)
- MySubaru Connected Services® Multimedia System with Navigation with 11.6-inch touchscreen (Standard on Touring trim. Optional for Limited and Wilderness trims)
The good news is that both the Subaru Outback and Subaru Forester are fuel-efficient SUVs. Thanks to the SUBARU BOXER engine and expert engineering, both models offer excellent fuel economy while still providing ample power and off-road capability. Both vehicles have similar gas mileage, but the Forester has a slight edge over the Outback, with 33 MPG highway and 26 MPG city on all trims except the Forester Sport, Wilderness, and Touring trims.
While the Subaru Outback still offers excellent fuel economy, as the heavier of the two vehicles it falls slightly behind the Forester in efficiency, with 31 MPG highway and 25 MPG city on most trims. Like the Forester, the Outback Wilderness and XT trims have lower MPG ratings.
2026 Subaru Outback Miles Per Gallon**
- 31/25 MPG highway/city (Premium, Limited, and Touring trims)
- 29/21 MPG highway/city (Limited XT and Touring XT trims)
- 27/21 MPG highway/city (Wilderness)
2026 Subaru Forester Miles Per Gallon**
- 33/26 MPG highway/city (Base, Premium, and Limited trims)
- 32/25 MPG highway/city (Sport and Touring trims)
- 28/24 MPG highway/city (Wilderness)
The Outback has a larger fuel capacity than the Forester. The Outback’s gas tank size is 18 gallons, while the Forester’s gas tank holds 16.6 gallons of fuel. As a result, the Outback’s overall driving range on one tank of gas is slightly higher than the Forester’s.
2026 Subaru Outback
Fuel Capacity:
18 gallons
Driving Range:
More than 550 miles
Actual range will vary with driving conditions, weather, and your vehicle’s condition.
2026 Subaru Forester
Fuel Capacity:
16.6 gallons
Driving Range:
More than 540 miles
Actual range will vary with driving conditions, weather, and your vehicle’s condition.
