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.
Which is bigger: Outback or Forester?
The biggest differences between the Outback and Forester are their shapes, sizes, and classifications. The Forester is a compact crossover, which gives it a small SUV silhouette with up to 72.2 inches of width and 182.7 inches of length – about 9 inches fewer than the Outback. However, the Forester has a boxier shape and is about 2 inches taller than the Outback, with a height of up to 68.9 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 191.9 inches of length, up to 66.9 inches of height (including roof rails), and up to 74.6 inches of width – 2 inches more than the Forester.
Due to its longer wheelbase, lower height, 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.
Length:
Up to 191.9 inches
Width:
Up to 74.6 inches
Height:
Up to 66.9 inches
Wheelbase:
108.1 inches
Base Curb Weight:
3,641 - 3,946 pounds
Length:
182.7 inches
Width:
Up to 72.2 inches
Height:
Up to 68.9 inches
Wheelbase:
Up to 105.1 inches
Base Curb Weight:
3,454 - 3,620 pounds
Which has a more powerful engine and greater towing capacity: Outback or Forester?
Both the Outback and the 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 32 MPG highway and 26 MPG city with the standard engine.
The differences come in with the direct-injection turbocharged engine available only on Outback's Onyx XT, Limited XT, Touring XT, and Wilderness trims. This engine delivers 260 horsepower – 78 more than the 182-horsepower Forester and standard Outback engine – and 277 pound-feet of torque compared to the 176 pound-feet of torque for Forester and the Outback Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring models. This extra power gives the Outback more maximum towing capacity at up to 3,500 pounds
Engine:
2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER engine
(Available 2.4-liter Turbocharged SUBARU
BOXER engine)
Horsepower:
182 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 to 3,500 pounds
Engine:
2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER engine
Horsepower:
182 hp at 5,800 rpm
Towing Capacity
1,500 pounds
3,000 pounds (Wilderness)
Which has more ground clearance: Outback or Forester?
When looking at the base models of the Outback and 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 9.2 inches.
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Wilderness Ground Clearance:
9.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Wilderness Ground Clearance:
9.2 inches
Which has more passenger and cargo space: Outback or Forester?
Outback offers ample passenger room with up to 109 cubic feet but features a larger maximum cargo area at up to 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats lowered. The Forester gives you slightly more interior space with up to 111.6 cubic feet of passenger room and up to 74.2 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.
Passengers:
Seating for up to 5
Maximum Cargo Space:
75.6 cubic feet
Interior Passenger Room:
107.5 cubic feet (Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT, Wilderness, and Touring XT trims with moonroof)
109 cubic feet (Base, Premium, Limited, and Wilderness trims without moonroof)
Passenger Legroom:
42.8 inches (front)
39.5 inches (rear)
Passenger Headroom:
Up to 40.1 inches (front)
39.1 inches (rear)
Passengers:
Seating for up to 5
Maximum Cargo Space:
Up to 74.2 cubic feet
Interior Passenger Room:
107.6 cubic feet (Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims with moonroof)
111.6 cubic feet (Base trim without moonroof)
Passenger Legroom:
43.3 inches (front)
39.4 inches (rear)
Passenger Headroom:
Up to 41.2 inches (front)
Up to 39.6 inches (rear)
Build and Price
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.
MSRP:
$28,895 - $42,795*
MPG:
Up to 32/26 MPG highway/city**
MSRP:
$27,095 - $37,395*
MPG:
Up to 33/26 MPG highway/city**
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Autumn Green Metallic
Brilliant Bronze Metallic
Cosmic Blue Pearl
Crimson Red Pearl
Crystal Black Silica
Crystal White Pearl
Dark Mahogany Pearl
Geyser Blue
Ice Silver Metallic
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Autumn Green Metallic
Brilliant Bronze Metallic
Cascade Green Silica
Crimson Red Pearl
Crystal Black Silica
Crystal White Pearl
Geyser Blue
Horizon Blue Pearl
Ice Silver Metallic
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Sapphire Blue Pearl
Base
Premium
Onyx Edition
Limited
Touring
Onyx Edition XT
Wilderness
Limited XT
Touring XT
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. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named the Forester as an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK for 2023 and has received the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK 17 times (2007-2023), more than the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. The Subaru Outback is an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ for ten years running (2013-2023).
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 Outback and 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® Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). 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.
2024 Subaru Outback Transmission
2024 Subaru Forester Available Transmissions
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.
2024 Subaru Outback Multimedia Touchscreens
2024 Subaru Forester Multimedia Touchscreens
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 rugged Forester Wilderness.
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 32 MPG highway and 26 MPG city on most trims. Like the Forester, the Outback Wilderness and XT trims have lower MPG ratings.
2024 Subaru Outback Miles Per Gallon**
2024 Subaru Forester Miles Per Gallon**
The Outback has a larger fuel capacity than the Forester. The Outback’s gas tank size is 18.5 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.
2024 Subaru Outback
Fuel Capacity:
18.5 gallons
Driving Range:
Over 590 miles
2024 Subaru Forester
Fuel Capacity:
16.6 gallons
Driving Range:
Over 540 miles