Subaru Forester vs. Subaru Outback: which is better?
Explore how Subaru's Forester compact SUV & Outback crossover estate compare when it comes to style, space, reliability and more in our guide
)
A less obvious choice, Subaru has gained a lot of interest from enthusiasts, and the Outback and Forester models have a lot of key selling points compared with other SUVs and estates you might consider.
They both excel off the beaten track, and have some interesting engine options, but you might be surprised which model suits you best after reading our guide.
Subaru Outback vs. Subaru Forester: which has more style?
)
Starting with their similarities, you can tell that both brands belong to the same company by the way they look, sharing design elements such as the grille area and general layout.
However, there is a key difference in that the Subaru Outback is an estate and the Subaru Forester is an SUV.
The Outback has a long and low shape that’s pretty stylish. Despite its clear intention as a rugged off-road vehicle, it has a premium edge, with plenty of chrome elements used alongside the plastic cladding and protection.
The Forester is a bit of an atypical SUV because it's a lot boxier than many modern rivals, giving it an MPV-like feel. It’s similar in length to the Outback, but it’s much taller.
What is it like to drive a Subaru Outback vs. Forester?
)
Because the Outback is lower, it generally feels more stable on the road, whereas the Forester tends to lean a little more into the corners – but that’s typical of most high-riding vehicles.
If you choose an automatic of either model, you’ll get a CVT gearbox. It provides linear power delivery because there are no gears, so it feels very smooth. However, under hard acceleration, the revs can climb high, and the engine can be noisy until you ease off again.
Newer cars have been fitted with paddle shifters that simulate gears, but it’s not quite the same and most drivers are unlikely to use them, instead leaving the CVT to do its thing.
The Outback and Forester stand out from their rivals because they only come with four-wheel-drive setups. This is good for added grip in wet and slippery conditions, and they have good ground clearance so they can handle some mild off-roading – not that they’re likely to be faced with much more than a muddy field anyway.
You used to get diesel Outback models, but when Subaru rolled out the latest-generation car in 2020, a 169hp 2.5-litre petrol became the only option.
Compared with other cars on the road, which tend to have smaller, more efficient and quicker engines, the Outback feels a bit behind, but it stands out for other reasons. The boxer engine gives it a low centre of gravity, better balance and a smoother ride, so it’s handy for navigating tough terrain.
The Forester also comes with a boxer engine, but it’s a smaller 150hp 2.0-litre unit. The latest models – badged e-Boxer – get mild hybrid technology to help reduce emissions, but it’s still not as efficient as some other SUVs if that’s important to you.
What is the technology in the Subaru Forester and Outback?
)
Subaru isn’t usually what you think of when you want the latest car tech, but things have changed since the introduction of the fifth-generation Forester in 2021 and the sixth-generation Outback in 2020.
For example, the latest-generation Forester comes with adaptive cruise control and plenty of other safety kit, a touchscreen infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry, LED headlights and automatic high beam headlights.
You might consider all of these mod-cons essential these days, but you’ll be surprised how many of this car’s rivals don’t come with them as standard.
The latest Outback is just as impressive, with things like heated front and rear seats, and in the case of higher-spec models, a heated steering wheel and a powered boot lid.
Given their off-road natures, these cars also come with some off-roading technologies, like hill descent control and a drive mode selector.
Subaru Forester vs. Outback dimensions and boot space
)
You might be surprised to hear that, despite the Forester being the taller of the two vehicles and the only SUV, it’s actually slightly smaller.
Including roof bars, it’s 1,730mm tall, which is 5.5cm taller than the Outback, at 1,675mm. However, the Outback is wider and longer, at 1,875mm (plus mirrors) and 4,870mm. The Forester is 1,815mm wide (plus mirrors) and 4,640mm long.
Another figure worth mentioning is ground clearance – the Forester slightly outperforms the Outback here, but the difference is minimal. It’s 220mm for the Forester and 213mm for the Outback. For reference, a Toyota RAV4 has 195mm of ground clearance.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Outback, with its more powerful engine, can tow up to 2,000kg, compared with the mild-hybrid Forester, which is limited to 1,870kg.
In terms of boot size, the Outback estate has the Forester SUV trumped, which might come as a shock. It has 561 litres of space, or up to 1,822 litres with the rear seats folded. The Forester has a 509/1,779-litre space.
Forester vs. Outback: which is more reliable?
There are a lot of key mechanical similarities between these models that give them similarly positive reputations for reliability.
The boxer engine is known for its easy maintenance, and the symmetrical all-wheel-drive system is less complex than some other rivals, so while there are more parts than your standard hatchback, these Subaru models have excellent reputations.
Used Subaru Outback vs used Subaru Forester: which should I buy?
It would be easy to think the Forester makes for a better option, because larger cars tend to have better technical specifications, but this isn’t the case for this pair.
If you want lots of boot space or a higher towing capacity, the Outback is the best pick, and its lower stance helps make it feel more enjoyable on the road.
That being said, if you’re after something more practical, the Forester’s boxy design can be great for loading awkward items, and it has some fuel-saving technology worth considering.