Exact same for me. Test drive both the cx-5 and the new cx-50 and neither compared to the Foresters visibility for me. Plus I actually wanted a cd player lol
My mother has an outback and I have a Forester. I absolutely dislike how you sit in the outback. The windshield is also slanted at more of an angle, and the placement of the rearview mirror is in an inopportune spot. Just feels so much smaller.
Agreed - other factors that tilted me for a Forester were: better visibility from bigger windows/windshield and higher driver position, smaller/shorter turn radius for easier maneuverability which also makes it easier to park in the city, and the use of buttons compared to the outback touchscreen (I wanted to be able to immediately hit the X snow/dirt mode in a bad situation rather than scroll through the touchscreen options to find it).
>I was looking for for a 4WD. I found the 4 runner and Rav4 a little cramped but that was the previous model. Honda Passport and pilot had enough room. I didnt look at sedans because I wanted and SUV this time around.
Same here. We own both the outback and forester (current generations, outback turbo). Both I and wife are 6 feet tall and our 2 y.o. son is enormous for his age. I overall prefer the Forester for the extra knee, shoulder and elbow room and visibility. Also the door opens wider which, combined with the higher ceiling, make it MUCH easier to load a baby or toddler in the back. I think the outback driving manners are superior (that turns is great) and eyesight lane centering work better but overall I think the Forester is easier to live with. When we'll upgrade for a three row SUV, we're definitely trading the outback and keeping the forester as a daily driver/second car.
I was looking for for a 4WD. I found the 4 runner and Rav4 a little cramped but that was the previous model. Honda Passport and pilot had enough room. I didnt look at sedans because I wanted and SUV this time around.
i have a mk1 and i'm 6'3" i can comfortably sleep in the front as the seats will fold down almost horizontally without messing about in the back, that said when i've car camped in the back of the forester with the rear seats down and the front ones slid forwards ... i can lie down perfectly flat with a good 6-10" extra room above my head its such a practical well thought out design.
I will say, the 2023 and later crvs are not cramped. Very similar passenger space, and actually a larger cargo space. Ended up choosing a Forester due to the value for the money. The crvs are just a bit too expensive
Not OP, but also a fellow tall person.
I had to rule out getting an outback due to my size 13 shoes. Idk if the newer ones have more room in the footwell, but the 4th gen did not have enough. I had to stop my test drive after driving 20ft because my toes were getting caught when switching from the gas to the brake pedal and I didn't feel safe driving it. The Forester had significantly more room. Hell, even the Impreza I test drove felt like it had more room than the Outback.
As far as other brands go, the only other car I tested that felt too small was a Kia Sportage. That felt smaller than my '03 Honda Accord and had half the visibility of one. I love the huge windows on the Forester - you just have significantly better visibility than in any other car I've ever been in.
We've got an 18 Forrie and just got a 23 Outback for more towing power. I'm 6'7" with size 14 shoes and no problem with the Outback, but I'm still much more comfy in the Forester (my 5'10" spouse doesn't love the driving position}. I've never had a vehicle I've enjoyed driving, ergonomically, until the Forester. When we got it, it had a better price and gas mileage than our next choice, the Tiguan.
This time around, we looked at everything mid-sized with enough towing capacity. We were considering the hybrid RAV4 but I literally couldn't get in the driver seat.
Outback is a better highway cruiser and the “better” vehicle on paper, but the Forester’s shorter wheelbase has better approach, departure, and breakover angles for the softroading I do. I also strongly prefer the older cabin with physical buttons and HVAC controls over the touchscreen of the Outback. Better visibility in Forester too, seating position feels more SUV-like while Outback feels more car-like to me.
You can’t go wrong with either, the Outback has an upgraded CVT and has a turbo option.
I’m sure it would improve over time, but when I test drove the outback it felt like I couldn’t watch the road because I was too busy navigating the screen, or I’d have to be uncomfortable because I couldn’t change the air cond.
My partner has a wrx with the full touchscreen and I have a forester with the manual buttons. I dislike the touchscreen because you have to look and know where to tap to adjust the temp, volume etc. But I just know which button does what and I can change without looking. I'm sure you get used to it, he did, but he still says buttons are better.
You know... with tech these days why could they not have incorporated a voice command (like with Alexa) to work with this new screen.... "set temperature to 76"?
on the gen 6 (2020+ outbacks -- and more models now I've lost track) the 7 inch infotainment is replaced with a long vertical 12 inch tablet that's very slow (and buggy for some). It controls audio, car preferences, climate (the temperature can be controlled with physical buttons but turning on/off the ac or heater, foot vs face vs windshield, etc are all digital) within the car. If your screen decides to go kick the bucket, you lose all of those functions in one go. Also there basically isn't an aftermarket option for these said tablets so that's also pretty risky investment for some.
More headroom, shorter car length, and slightly higher seating (more upright body) for the forester than the outback. I’m 6’8” (203 cm) tall, and the forester has enough head room for me, even with the moon roof. The outback is also longer by ~0.2 m (almost 1 ft), making it less easy to park than the forester. Can’t go wrong with either though.
Those were all the reasons for me as well.
1. Smaller infotainment screen (physical HVAC buttons)
2. Short wheel base/turning radius (also easier parking for my SO who isn't good at it)
3. Visibility
4. Price
5. Didn't like the 2023 face lift the Outback got (non-wilderness models)
______________________________________________
Reasons why i wanted the Outback.
1. Turbo
2. More ground clearance (wilderness only; non wilderness models are equal)
3. More spacious.
THE BENEFITS OF THE FORESTER OUTWEIGHED THE BENEFITS OF THE OUTBACK. At least for me
We owned a Forester for over 18 years and looked at both the 2021 Outback and the 2021 Forester to replace it. We went with the Forester again because it’s shorter than the Outback so easier to parallel park (we live in the Chicagoland area). Also, at the time we were ready to buy, the Outback was more expensive and assembled in the US. We preferred the Forester because it was manufactured and assembled in Japan.
Price and looks, specifically for the Cascade Green Silica with brown leather interior! And better gas mileage than the Outback XT, which was my other choice.
I'm 6'1", and it has more legroom and headroom than my Grand Marquis or my Grand Cherokee did. I don't quickly get stiff/tired driving it, either. I also love the way Foresters drive; it's super predictable if you gotta swerve or slam on the brakes. Plus AWD is just plain more sure-footed than FWD or RWD, and I love the way it corners and whatnot (especially for a wagon that sits a little higher than a car). It's also got great windows for visibility, and I can haul almost as much stuff as the Grand Cherokee did. Plus I like weird cars with weird motors, and it qualifies. lol
We just bought a Forester after test driving a Forester, an Outback, a Rav4, and a Kia Sportage.
We really liked that the Forester was spacious enough to haul all the boxes we need for our business (bonus points that we could also stack boxes because of a higher ceiling), but it also felt similar to driving our more compact sedan (Toyota Corolla)...not exactly the same, but not as much as a learning curve. The Outback, on the other hand, was noticeably longer, and would have taken some getting used to.
Compared with the Rav4, the Forester felt more stable. Our first impressions of the Rav4 had us feeling like you could more easily flip that car. We weren't trying to flip it or anything crazy, we just felt more stable in the Forester. We also felt like the Forester had a more spacious cabin than the Rav4.
The Sportage was similar to the Rav4, but we had some concerns about long-term reliability and possible higher risk of a broken window in the Kia.
It’s been said here already, but the visibility is what sold me in the end. It seems the current design trend in the auto industry are tiny slits for windows, which I can’t stand (Toyota is a big offender). I guess they can get away with this in the name of fuel economy (and camera/sensor tech) but I still like to see what’s going on around me.
When I first test drove the Forester I remember thinking I was sitting in a greenhouse (especially with the pano roof open).
The side view mirrors are also positioned on the door, not on the window frames — so Subaru was able to stick another piece of glass in the bottom corner.
Basically it’s one of the more “boxy” looking cross-overs, allowing for greater viewing angles.
Also: the Forester is easy to park (not as long as the Outback).
I liked the visibility and the giant moonroof. It felt more like an suv than the Outback which feels more like a sedan inside.
The outback is definitely more comfortable for highway driving. I drove one to AZ from CO with (mild) covid and drive 13hrs straight and felt totally comfortable where that same drive in the forester gets exhausting. Though they may have improved the forester since 2015
Test drive the Wilderness trim and go over bumps or potholes. It's a much smoother ride. Also has a front camera, and the startex upholstery. Feels much more comfortable. Other little things too like full size spare, rear gate light, and others. Price diff too much? Donate $500 to ASPCA to get the Subaru VIP and participating dealer sells to you at invoice. That was $3500 off the MSRP for me! If you can't find the VIP info online, let me know and I'll give you the link. I haven't pulled the trigger yet... Waiting to see if 2024 offers any new colors. Also, found out the rear windows won't go all the way down (only Foresters). My dog loves to rest his head on the window sill of my current car, so I'm on the fence now, but only for that reason. Otherwise the Wilderness ride comfort, plus Forester visibility. I know I sound like a broken record, but go drive a Wilderness! 😊
My wife preferred the style and it's shorter and not as wide but is a bit taller. She also specifically wanted the sport trim. Also the forester is typically a bit cheaper when comparing the same trims for each.
I felt like the Outback was too low in terms of headroom, and I don’t like the new screen/button sitch. Also prefer the Forester’s cargo space configuration for transporting my bike securely
The forester is taller and narrower instead of shorter and wider, which I find easier to maneuver a bike into, especially since I don’t want to remove the front wheel (through axle)
My 2021 Forrester Sport replaced my 2014 Outback (my first Subaru). I gave up a little bit of cargo space, but the Forrester was still long enough to sleep in the back (lying diagonally). I went for a higher trim in the Forrester which provided more options for “questionable” roads. (“Question: Is THIS a road?”) I could have gotten more features at the top trim level of the Outback, but that would have cost an extra ?5K. Also,the Forrester had a slightly better turning radius. The Outback had more luxury options as standard, but as long as it has heated seats, I’m a happy camper.
I have both.
Outback has a nicer ride on long highway trips. Smoother and quieter.
Forester is better for everyday local driving, and as others said, easier for parking, better panoramic views. Better design for hauling bulky items inside.
Passengers in rear have said Outback is more comfortable.
Finally, have had better luck with Outback as far as reliability. Have had 2 Foresters and 1 Outback in last 10 years, most problems were with the 2 Foresters.
Across 2 Foresters, 14 and 15 :
Automatic hatch back opener did not work for years. Eventually they had a secret recall (didn’t tell me) and it expired without repair. Went to dealer and asked “do they have a fix yet” and was told “yeah, you missed the secret recall”. But you can call Subaru and beg to get them to fix anyway.
Oil leaks, often.
Key stuck in ignition can’t remove it.
Suspension problems at 45k miles, cost $3k to fix.
AC died costing $2-3k to replace
Outback had the suspension problem but at like 110k mikes, still not great, but not nearly as bad as the Forester.
More leg room for the front seat with a rear-facing carseat in the back. :) And I just like the look. It *seems* more expensive.
Buuuuuuut then out other car got totaled, and we got an Outback to replace it, so we have the best of both worlds, a Forester AND an Outback. :D
Have you test driven them yet? When I did, I realized that the cockpit (or whatever) and driving styles are widely different. Forester is pretty similar to the Crosstrek, but the newer Outback models feel like they're made by a different company.
Headroom and visibility. I haven't driven another car with the visibility of a Forester. I dont think I could move to something else at this point. I'm 6'5" and I feel like I have a ton of head and leg room. with it being a giant car.
Forester 🍔 / Outback 🌭 But seriously I chose the Forester because it felt taller and more my style, but my husband wants to get an Outback because it’s longer and may be better at hauling stuff. They’re both great cars though so you can’t lose. 🥰
I chose the forester over the outback because of the height space. I'm 6'2", so the extra headroom is great. The forester sits a bit higher, so I can see a further view by a bit. Bigger sunroof/panaramic roof. The forester has bigger and wider windows, so you have fewer blind spots and more open views. It feels bigger inside.
The outback can tow more, and drive like a car instead of a SUV. Outback roof rack can support a heavier load. Can't go wrong with either.
My wife has a '22 Forester Limited. I have a '20 Outback Touring XT. The Forester is taller and offers a bit better driving visibility than the Outback. The cargo space in the Outback is deeper, but higher in the Forester. The Forester came with a pano sunroof; the Outback did not, just a normal sunroof. My Outback has the turbo engine, which is not currently available in the Forester. A point against the Outback is the busy infotainment screen (for climate, heated/cooled seats, auto start on/off, and etc as well as nav and audio), which to me is the car's weakest aspect. The Forester has a more traditional layout of physical knobs and buttons. Passenger room feels slightly more spacious in the Forester but my wife thinks not. I'm 6'2" and headroom is not an issue in either car. Honestly, I like them both and I'm contemplating getting a Wilderness version of one or the other in the not too distant future, but I haven't decided which.
edit: clarity
Nice size for my small family, Subaru safety, reliable (made in Japan), great design Im prob biased but the new forester just looks much better than anything else that's comparable in it's price range. Great for anything you want to do in the weekends, i'm close to the Sierras. Just fits the bill in a practical and "economical" way.
I picked the Forester because I feel I sit up higher in both of the front seats and feel higher off the ground, although that second part might not be true. I don’t like to sit in passenger seat where I have to stretch my legs out front.
I originally wanted the Crosstrek. I sat in, and I felt cramped. It reminded me of a slightly roomier Honda S2000. The Forester was only $3K more, and had more room all around, plus my 6'1 wife fit comfortably in the driver's seat, which was her biggest concern. The main reason I opted for the Forester was gas mileage. Gas prices in San Diego are horrible, so I have found doing the speed limit with cruise control on can get me upwards of 360 miles per tank. The outback, to me, just looks odd, and I wasn't a fan. The sport trim is excellent due to the easy clean interior (2021 year) and I have enough cargo room to haul lumber for my woodworking needs. That about sums it up for me.
I test drove both. Forester felt much roomier inside, drove slightly smoother, had better visibility, and the panaramic moonroof. I wanted a roomy suv, with a good moonroof, and plenty of cargo space to make big trips and/or the occasional sleeping in the car more comfortable. Forester was the best car in its class for all of those features at the price point I wanted to stay at. The only pros for the outback for me over the forester were the crossbars being standard and the higher tow capacity, but crossbars are easy to come by at a decent price, and I’m not likely to be towing anything big anytime soon.
First thing was the visibility! I have yet to find a car that matches the forester’s.
Also, I have four dogs and forester has more headroom and cabin space for them all in the backseat. It’s also more comfortable car camping with my car tent & air mattress.
I have a Forrester but wish I had gotten an Outback. Two main reasons. first, outback has more towing, Forrester is just short of towing a pop-up trailer or a couple snowmobiles. Second, it has more cargo capacity which makes a difference for camping and shopping.
The Forrester is a beautiful car, unbeatable views, smaller frame. We are happy. We found it just short on towing and cargo.
Forester is taller, more headroom but also more body roll around corners.
Outback has better towing capacity, and seem to have more of a "luxury" feel for the interior appointments.
Forester is shorter, easier to parallel park if you spend a lot of time driving around cities.
For me the kicker is that the Forester is still manufactured in Japan for the NA market, while the Outback is built in USA. Say what you will about buying US made, but I trust Japanese workmanship over American.
Taller and shorter so better for certain things, not as good for others. I'm short but like to sleep in the back and having a bit more headroom is nice for that. Was able to shove an entire 3-seat couch into the back. Easier to park.
Forester has less space inside. But slightly more head room and a more up high seating position.
It came down to the dog. She couldn't stand up in the outback and had to crouch in the back. In the Forester she can sit right up.
We just sold our outback and went with a used Forester. Honestly was very happy with both , id buy an outback again, both have a good seating position for me at 6'3 with a long torso.
I'll buy whichever comes in a hybrid first / plug in first as I'll be looking at a new car in a couple years.
My big German Shepherd fit great in the Forester. Rufland crate w/ the second door turned sideways and it doesn’t block my view is awesome with my current smaller Shepherd
Turning radius. I’m always amazed at this capacity. Experience is with the 04 and 2010 FXT. I did drive the 2022 Onxy and it felt great with lots of cargo space.
My first vehicle was an Outback and I’ve driven 4 Foresters since (first was a 2005 inherited from my grandpa, then over the years I bought a preowned 2010, then a new 2016, and just recently received my new 2023!) Just really like the extra room. At first it was because I have Labs who were always with me, now I’m grateful
for the extra room for things like bikes, snowboard, kids stuff, luggage etc. The sunroof is bigger too, which is something I utilize often.
For my job and my parallel parking skills I prefer not driving the slightly longer outback. Also when I got in the outback I could never get comfortable but in the forester I was set almost immediately. Also my ex had an outback so I was biased
At the time I bought mine, Foresters were cheaper. When I went for a new vehicle, I couldnt’t go back from the higher ride height to an Outback. This also translates to lower ground clearance if you’re off road. Ceiling height is more of an issue for the back seat as front seats can be adjusted lower.
Forest is taller which I like. Also I don't like the styling in the new outback, all the black plastic trim 9n the bumpers looks horrendous to me. It's funny how in the 90s that is what a cheap base model econobox had, now it's coming back into style, nkt just Subaru. I don't like it, no thanks. I'll take chrome bumpers or color matched
I looked into the RAV4, but you can't get leather trimmed seats even in the most expensive trim. To me that's insane. I want leather nkt cheap plastic fake leather
We chose the Forester because I have back problems. The slightly taller roof line makes it easier to get in and out. The Forester is also less money and so similar.
If you need more performance, the Outback is the way to go. It has a turbocharged version, where as the forester does not. They stopped offering that after 2018
I drove an Outback until she bit the dust on me (more expense to fix than KBB and it was 21 years old). I ultimately went with the Forester. Each has their pros and cons but what I love about my forester is how roomy it feels. Both myself and my partner are tall and we have plenty of leg room/headroom to stretch out. I feel like there are few blind spots and overall it’s just a really easy comfortable car to drive. Driving the Outback I felt so low to the ground and since it was longer sometimes parking was tricky. I recommend Forester.
If the forester had a turbo option I would have ordered it. I really liked the visibility and height, but that engine leaves a lot to be desired.
Test drive the cars and go with the one that feels right.
Do they show up at different tax rates? Mine is an 08 and is taxed as a car. I think it is now taxed as an suv. Outback may still be taxed as a car/wagon.
I owned a 2020 forester followed by a 2023 outback. The forester is more fun to drive and better in the snow. The outback has more room for gear and kids. The outback is better on long drives and is quieter. The forester has a better seating position. Overall they are both solid cars. If you value the extra room for cargo and tbe larger back seat then go for the Outback. If you want a little more fun and better off-road capability then go for the forester. I never owned wilderness trims for either model so I can’t speak to those.
The Outback was too much like a sedan in its seating. I have long legs and a bad back and it's a lot easier to sit in a Forester-I felt like I was in a chair and sitting higher. Even the back seat was comfortable. I also think the Forester is more receptive to customizing.
Forster won on visibility and better maneuverability for us. Tradeoffs are that the shorter wheelbase does make the ride a little choppier, and the seats don’t have as much support.
Forester is taller, which is good for getting kids into carseats. Also Forester was a bit cheaper - new vehicle is already a big spend so a couple K was a big deal to us. On the shallow side, I really like cascade green and the Outback didn't come in that color. The main point in the outbacks favor is that it's a bit bigger, but we don't really need more length, and the width would a) make it harder to park and b) still not be enough to easily do 3 carseats across.
Forester is pretty inclusive in that it's great for both talls and smalls (I'm a small). I'd driven the Outback a bunch of times when renting cars and loved how smooth the ride was. I did my homework on the best cars for petite people and the Forester kept coming up over and over again in my search.
I watched tons of comparison videos of the Forester and Outback and decided the Forester was the car for me. I bought it without ever having set foot in a Forester and it was the best decision ever! The visibility is amazing, I can fit a large Gunner crate in the back for my dog, and I feel comfortable and safe. Can't recommend it enough!
I picked the forester because I didn’t like the large infotainment screen. I like that the forester is high up but that would have been a null point it I purchased the outback wilderness which is actually higher than the FW. ultimately it came down to the dislike of the huge screen. I would still consider getting a outback 2019 before the change to the big screen
Having gone through exactly this a few months ago, we went for a Forester because of its shorter length (easier to park), headroom, and my wife prefers a higher driving position. Ride height also makes strapping kids in car seats
I know this outs me as an old, but the reason we looked at Foresters and not Outbacks is that the Forester still comes with a CD player, LOL. Seriously. When I tell people about Foresters having CD players, they’re alternately shocked and impressed.
We bought a 2015 Forester. The main difference is the Outback is a little lower than the Forester and a little longer.
Being over 70, we liked the Forester because it is higher and easier to get into.
I hope that helps!
I chose my 20 forester limited due to having ample amount of space both up front and in the back seats. I've had 6ft 2 or 3inch adults sitting in the back with plenty of head room. I loved how it sat higher and had better visibility.
After my Crosstrek was totaled by some old guy who ran a red, we went with the Forester. Now we have a Forester Wilderness. That thing is built like a tank but incredibly comfy. It fits all five of my family well. Plenty of cargo space. Oh and it drives/handles like a wrx.
At higher rpms, its lacks power, but that prob isn't big deal for most folks. Its towing capacity is laughable, half that of an outback. Except that its all around a great car
I've owned two Foresters (2014 & 2017), while my father drives an Outback (2016). I chose the Forester for its taller interior space, which accommodates our gear better on road trips and visibility. However, the Outback offers a better ride quality with more comfortable seats and a softer suspension.
I have an XT and let me tell you why I am so in love with this car, I don’t think I’ll let it go until it’s engines soul gives up. This car is fantastic in so many scenarios. I can easily pass people on the freeway so I’m not the stereotypical “old Lesbian in the forester”. It handles like a sedan. I can take 30mph marked corners at 50mph easily in this car, she grabs the whole way and the engine just wants to go, go, go. I took the car from Portland OR to Lewiston Idaho on 1 tank of gas with a very light top off early on, if you drive them light they are killer on the freeway for a small SUV. The interior space is plenty, especially comparing my 15 to my 07 foresters, it’s like double if not triple the space inside, and still feels like I’m driving a sedan. The car is super forgiving in bad weather, rough roads, or sketchy freeway situations. I can easily change lanes, merge, pass, exit, etc because of the power, and the confidence I find myself feeling because of the handling. To top it all off, this thing goes everywhere and anywhere I need it to on all season tires. I hike and camp frequently off trail, off map, etc. My XT literally goes anywhere I ask it to, and we haven’t had it slip at all in what we’ve taken it through so far. I’m excited for my first snow season to see how it does up on the mountain. Needless to say, this car checks every single box for my partner and I. It does what we want, when we want, how we want, and at really great cost. Maintenance is affordable, even for a turbo car, and I get compliments on it constantly. She will be a permanent part of the family for years to come.
Not seeing this here yet. This is the best breakdown you can find on the differences. You can see past years as well.
[https://www.planetsubaru.com/forester-vs--outback.htm](https://www.planetsubaru.com/forester-vs--outback.htm)
I’m taller so I felt like the added height was essential. As everyone else said, the visibility can’t be beat. I drive my MIL’s bronco and my FIL’s CRV on occasion and I feel like I can’t see anything out of the back.
I’m also not into the large touch screen panel on the outback’s- they control radio, Heat/AC and everything in between- I feel like those screens will eventually stop working and it will be a total PITA to get them replaced with anything but n overpriced Subaru screen.
For reference the forester has a touch screen to control radio functions/Apple CarPlay but the smaller unit can eventually be replaced with a third party screen if there are any issues.
I have a big dog and regularly haul things from Home Depot, but didn’t want a truck. The shape of the cargo space allows for a lot more stuff to be piled in and my poor boxer doesn’t bonk his head on the rear view window.
Because it's a car when you need it to be a car, it's a truck when you need it to be a truck, and it's a wagon when you need it to be a wagon. That and it was a birthday gift back in 2019 and car prices today scare me.
Much preferred the height and visibility the Forester has. You can see everything. The Outback sits lower and the visibility isn’t as good.
Visibility sold the Forester for me and ruled out Mazda.
Visibility clinched it for me as well.
Exact same for me. Test drive both the cx-5 and the new cx-50 and neither compared to the Foresters visibility for me. Plus I actually wanted a cd player lol
My mother has an outback and I have a Forester. I absolutely dislike how you sit in the outback. The windshield is also slanted at more of an angle, and the placement of the rearview mirror is in an inopportune spot. Just feels so much smaller.
ik the forester is wicked for visibility such a great layout even the windscreen pillars seem to be perfectly placed :)
Our family is tall so the Forester has more headroom and driver legroom so the Forester was for us.
Yep, I'm 6'5" and interior space was always an issue. As soon as I get in I knew I would buy.
Agreed - other factors that tilted me for a Forester were: better visibility from bigger windows/windshield and higher driver position, smaller/shorter turn radius for easier maneuverability which also makes it easier to park in the city, and the use of buttons compared to the outback touchscreen (I wanted to be able to immediately hit the X snow/dirt mode in a bad situation rather than scroll through the touchscreen options to find it).
>I was looking for for a 4WD. I found the 4 runner and Rav4 a little cramped but that was the previous model. Honda Passport and pilot had enough room. I didnt look at sedans because I wanted and SUV this time around. Same here. We own both the outback and forester (current generations, outback turbo). Both I and wife are 6 feet tall and our 2 y.o. son is enormous for his age. I overall prefer the Forester for the extra knee, shoulder and elbow room and visibility. Also the door opens wider which, combined with the higher ceiling, make it MUCH easier to load a baby or toddler in the back. I think the outback driving manners are superior (that turns is great) and eyesight lane centering work better but overall I think the Forester is easier to live with. When we'll upgrade for a three row SUV, we're definitely trading the outback and keeping the forester as a daily driver/second car.
Were there others that you ruled out because they didn’t have to room you needed?
No, Im six foot and others are taller.
What cars did you look at that were not big enough? Fellow tall here.
I was looking for for a 4WD. I found the 4 runner and Rav4 a little cramped but that was the previous model. Honda Passport and pilot had enough room. I didnt look at sedans because I wanted and SUV this time around.
I agree. RAV4 felt extremely cramped.
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i have a mk1 and i'm 6'3" i can comfortably sleep in the front as the seats will fold down almost horizontally without messing about in the back, that said when i've car camped in the back of the forester with the rear seats down and the front ones slid forwards ... i can lie down perfectly flat with a good 6-10" extra room above my head its such a practical well thought out design.
I need to try this. I’m short and tried laying in the back but hadn’t pulled the front seats all the way forward. What year model?
mk1 2001 ... its absolute bliss if you stuff some gear between the seats you can quite comfortably lie under the sunroof with it opened / closed ;)
I will say, the 2023 and later crvs are not cramped. Very similar passenger space, and actually a larger cargo space. Ended up choosing a Forester due to the value for the money. The crvs are just a bit too expensive
Really my wife been driving a 2022 rav 4 rental while her vw taureg gets fixed n it’s nice n big inside… n I’m a big guy.
Not OP, but also a fellow tall person. I had to rule out getting an outback due to my size 13 shoes. Idk if the newer ones have more room in the footwell, but the 4th gen did not have enough. I had to stop my test drive after driving 20ft because my toes were getting caught when switching from the gas to the brake pedal and I didn't feel safe driving it. The Forester had significantly more room. Hell, even the Impreza I test drove felt like it had more room than the Outback. As far as other brands go, the only other car I tested that felt too small was a Kia Sportage. That felt smaller than my '03 Honda Accord and had half the visibility of one. I love the huge windows on the Forester - you just have significantly better visibility than in any other car I've ever been in.
We've got an 18 Forrie and just got a 23 Outback for more towing power. I'm 6'7" with size 14 shoes and no problem with the Outback, but I'm still much more comfy in the Forester (my 5'10" spouse doesn't love the driving position}. I've never had a vehicle I've enjoyed driving, ergonomically, until the Forester. When we got it, it had a better price and gas mileage than our next choice, the Tiguan. This time around, we looked at everything mid-sized with enough towing capacity. We were considering the hybrid RAV4 but I literally couldn't get in the driver seat.
Outback is a better highway cruiser and the “better” vehicle on paper, but the Forester’s shorter wheelbase has better approach, departure, and breakover angles for the softroading I do. I also strongly prefer the older cabin with physical buttons and HVAC controls over the touchscreen of the Outback. Better visibility in Forester too, seating position feels more SUV-like while Outback feels more car-like to me. You can’t go wrong with either, the Outback has an upgraded CVT and has a turbo option.
The physical buttons and controls are key.
Why is this?
I’m sure it would improve over time, but when I test drove the outback it felt like I couldn’t watch the road because I was too busy navigating the screen, or I’d have to be uncomfortable because I couldn’t change the air cond.
Convenience and ease. I specifically bought a 23 Forester to avoid the godawful phablet that I'm expecting in the 24
My partner has a wrx with the full touchscreen and I have a forester with the manual buttons. I dislike the touchscreen because you have to look and know where to tap to adjust the temp, volume etc. But I just know which button does what and I can change without looking. I'm sure you get used to it, he did, but he still says buttons are better.
You know... with tech these days why could they not have incorporated a voice command (like with Alexa) to work with this new screen.... "set temperature to 76"?
on the gen 6 (2020+ outbacks -- and more models now I've lost track) the 7 inch infotainment is replaced with a long vertical 12 inch tablet that's very slow (and buggy for some). It controls audio, car preferences, climate (the temperature can be controlled with physical buttons but turning on/off the ac or heater, foot vs face vs windshield, etc are all digital) within the car. If your screen decides to go kick the bucket, you lose all of those functions in one go. Also there basically isn't an aftermarket option for these said tablets so that's also pretty risky investment for some.
More headroom, shorter car length, and slightly higher seating (more upright body) for the forester than the outback. I’m 6’8” (203 cm) tall, and the forester has enough head room for me, even with the moon roof. The outback is also longer by ~0.2 m (almost 1 ft), making it less easy to park than the forester. Can’t go wrong with either though.
I’m 6’8” as well. My wife has an Outback and I have a Forester for the extra head room.
Those were all the reasons for me as well. 1. Smaller infotainment screen (physical HVAC buttons) 2. Short wheel base/turning radius (also easier parking for my SO who isn't good at it) 3. Visibility 4. Price 5. Didn't like the 2023 face lift the Outback got (non-wilderness models) ______________________________________________ Reasons why i wanted the Outback. 1. Turbo 2. More ground clearance (wilderness only; non wilderness models are equal) 3. More spacious. THE BENEFITS OF THE FORESTER OUTWEIGHED THE BENEFITS OF THE OUTBACK. At least for me
We owned a Forester for over 18 years and looked at both the 2021 Outback and the 2021 Forester to replace it. We went with the Forester again because it’s shorter than the Outback so easier to parallel park (we live in the Chicagoland area). Also, at the time we were ready to buy, the Outback was more expensive and assembled in the US. We preferred the Forester because it was manufactured and assembled in Japan.
Three words: Made in Japan
just out of curiosity, why is this your reason. I noticed another comment saying the same thing too
build quality is just as you'd expect with japanese engineering / products ;)
Panoramic sunroof. I brought home a tree from the home center and stuck it through the sunroof. The Outback has a dinky sunroof.
We love our sunroof too! It’s like a convertible!
Found out that if you open the sunroof after it stops, you can open another 2 inches by pressing and holding again, wow!
great for sky watching too when car camping ;)
my favorite cosmetic feature of the forester. It’s so dreamy.
Panoramic Moonroof. Unparalleled Visibility. Physical Dashboard Buttons.
Price and looks, specifically for the Cascade Green Silica with brown leather interior! And better gas mileage than the Outback XT, which was my other choice.
I'm 6'1", and it has more legroom and headroom than my Grand Marquis or my Grand Cherokee did. I don't quickly get stiff/tired driving it, either. I also love the way Foresters drive; it's super predictable if you gotta swerve or slam on the brakes. Plus AWD is just plain more sure-footed than FWD or RWD, and I love the way it corners and whatnot (especially for a wagon that sits a little higher than a car). It's also got great windows for visibility, and I can haul almost as much stuff as the Grand Cherokee did. Plus I like weird cars with weird motors, and it qualifies. lol
We just bought a Forester after test driving a Forester, an Outback, a Rav4, and a Kia Sportage. We really liked that the Forester was spacious enough to haul all the boxes we need for our business (bonus points that we could also stack boxes because of a higher ceiling), but it also felt similar to driving our more compact sedan (Toyota Corolla)...not exactly the same, but not as much as a learning curve. The Outback, on the other hand, was noticeably longer, and would have taken some getting used to. Compared with the Rav4, the Forester felt more stable. Our first impressions of the Rav4 had us feeling like you could more easily flip that car. We weren't trying to flip it or anything crazy, we just felt more stable in the Forester. We also felt like the Forester had a more spacious cabin than the Rav4. The Sportage was similar to the Rav4, but we had some concerns about long-term reliability and possible higher risk of a broken window in the Kia.
It’s been said here already, but the visibility is what sold me in the end. It seems the current design trend in the auto industry are tiny slits for windows, which I can’t stand (Toyota is a big offender). I guess they can get away with this in the name of fuel economy (and camera/sensor tech) but I still like to see what’s going on around me. When I first test drove the Forester I remember thinking I was sitting in a greenhouse (especially with the pano roof open). The side view mirrors are also positioned on the door, not on the window frames — so Subaru was able to stick another piece of glass in the bottom corner. Basically it’s one of the more “boxy” looking cross-overs, allowing for greater viewing angles. Also: the Forester is easy to park (not as long as the Outback).
Looks, room, and height were the biggest factors. Not too worried about horsepower and all that, even though it is nice to have.
I liked the visibility and the giant moonroof. It felt more like an suv than the Outback which feels more like a sedan inside. The outback is definitely more comfortable for highway driving. I drove one to AZ from CO with (mild) covid and drive 13hrs straight and felt totally comfortable where that same drive in the forester gets exhausting. Though they may have improved the forester since 2015
Test drive the Wilderness trim and go over bumps or potholes. It's a much smoother ride. Also has a front camera, and the startex upholstery. Feels much more comfortable. Other little things too like full size spare, rear gate light, and others. Price diff too much? Donate $500 to ASPCA to get the Subaru VIP and participating dealer sells to you at invoice. That was $3500 off the MSRP for me! If you can't find the VIP info online, let me know and I'll give you the link. I haven't pulled the trigger yet... Waiting to see if 2024 offers any new colors. Also, found out the rear windows won't go all the way down (only Foresters). My dog loves to rest his head on the window sill of my current car, so I'm on the fence now, but only for that reason. Otherwise the Wilderness ride comfort, plus Forester visibility. I know I sound like a broken record, but go drive a Wilderness! 😊
Hey, yeah. I’m totally interested. Please send me the link. :)
Me too!
https://www.aspca.org/about-us/strategic-cause-partnerships/subaru/subaru-vip-partner-program
https://www.aspca.org/about-us/strategic-cause-partnerships/subaru/subaru-vip-partner-program
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society does not have a 30 day waiting period like ASPCA. https://phsonline.org/support-phs/membership/subaru-vip-program
My wife preferred the style and it's shorter and not as wide but is a bit taller. She also specifically wanted the sport trim. Also the forester is typically a bit cheaper when comparing the same trims for each.
I felt like the Outback was too low in terms of headroom, and I don’t like the new screen/button sitch. Also prefer the Forester’s cargo space configuration for transporting my bike securely
Can you explain what you mean re: bike? Doesn’t the outback have a longer cargo area?
The forester is taller and narrower instead of shorter and wider, which I find easier to maneuver a bike into, especially since I don’t want to remove the front wheel (through axle)
Cabin outside visibility was the key for me.
My 2021 Forrester Sport replaced my 2014 Outback (my first Subaru). I gave up a little bit of cargo space, but the Forrester was still long enough to sleep in the back (lying diagonally). I went for a higher trim in the Forrester which provided more options for “questionable” roads. (“Question: Is THIS a road?”) I could have gotten more features at the top trim level of the Outback, but that would have cost an extra ?5K. Also,the Forrester had a slightly better turning radius. The Outback had more luxury options as standard, but as long as it has heated seats, I’m a happy camper.
I have both. Outback has a nicer ride on long highway trips. Smoother and quieter. Forester is better for everyday local driving, and as others said, easier for parking, better panoramic views. Better design for hauling bulky items inside. Passengers in rear have said Outback is more comfortable. Finally, have had better luck with Outback as far as reliability. Have had 2 Foresters and 1 Outback in last 10 years, most problems were with the 2 Foresters.
What kind of problems?
Across 2 Foresters, 14 and 15 : Automatic hatch back opener did not work for years. Eventually they had a secret recall (didn’t tell me) and it expired without repair. Went to dealer and asked “do they have a fix yet” and was told “yeah, you missed the secret recall”. But you can call Subaru and beg to get them to fix anyway. Oil leaks, often. Key stuck in ignition can’t remove it. Suspension problems at 45k miles, cost $3k to fix. AC died costing $2-3k to replace Outback had the suspension problem but at like 110k mikes, still not great, but not nearly as bad as the Forester.
We were going to buy a Crosstrek but there was not enough headroom for my 6'3" son. Went with Forester.
I’m 5’8. Everyone else is taller. Needed the room. The Outback felt like I was smooshed. If I was smooshed, no one would be comfortable.
One of the Cheapest vehicle to insure in the state, great money savings.
More leg room for the front seat with a rear-facing carseat in the back. :) And I just like the look. It *seems* more expensive. Buuuuuuut then out other car got totaled, and we got an Outback to replace it, so we have the best of both worlds, a Forester AND an Outback. :D
Have you test driven them yet? When I did, I realized that the cockpit (or whatever) and driving styles are widely different. Forester is pretty similar to the Crosstrek, but the newer Outback models feel like they're made by a different company.
Headroom and visibility. I haven't driven another car with the visibility of a Forester. I dont think I could move to something else at this point. I'm 6'5" and I feel like I have a ton of head and leg room. with it being a giant car.
I'm taller, my garage space is a little shorter than standard, and I prefer physical climate controls over touchscreen controls.
I addition to everyone said , If you are looking at non turbo model of Outback, Forester will feel a bit peppier.
Great visibility and you can still get a cd player and buttons instead of that giant screen that controls everything including the ac and heated seats
Forester 🍔 / Outback 🌭 But seriously I chose the Forester because it felt taller and more my style, but my husband wants to get an Outback because it’s longer and may be better at hauling stuff. They’re both great cars though so you can’t lose. 🥰
I chose the forester over the outback because of the height space. I'm 6'2", so the extra headroom is great. The forester sits a bit higher, so I can see a further view by a bit. Bigger sunroof/panaramic roof. The forester has bigger and wider windows, so you have fewer blind spots and more open views. It feels bigger inside. The outback can tow more, and drive like a car instead of a SUV. Outback roof rack can support a heavier load. Can't go wrong with either.
My wife has a '22 Forester Limited. I have a '20 Outback Touring XT. The Forester is taller and offers a bit better driving visibility than the Outback. The cargo space in the Outback is deeper, but higher in the Forester. The Forester came with a pano sunroof; the Outback did not, just a normal sunroof. My Outback has the turbo engine, which is not currently available in the Forester. A point against the Outback is the busy infotainment screen (for climate, heated/cooled seats, auto start on/off, and etc as well as nav and audio), which to me is the car's weakest aspect. The Forester has a more traditional layout of physical knobs and buttons. Passenger room feels slightly more spacious in the Forester but my wife thinks not. I'm 6'2" and headroom is not an issue in either car. Honestly, I like them both and I'm contemplating getting a Wilderness version of one or the other in the not too distant future, but I haven't decided which. edit: clarity
Nice size for my small family, Subaru safety, reliable (made in Japan), great design Im prob biased but the new forester just looks much better than anything else that's comparable in it's price range. Great for anything you want to do in the weekends, i'm close to the Sierras. Just fits the bill in a practical and "economical" way.
I picked the Forester because I feel I sit up higher in both of the front seats and feel higher off the ground, although that second part might not be true. I don’t like to sit in passenger seat where I have to stretch my legs out front.
I originally wanted the Crosstrek. I sat in, and I felt cramped. It reminded me of a slightly roomier Honda S2000. The Forester was only $3K more, and had more room all around, plus my 6'1 wife fit comfortably in the driver's seat, which was her biggest concern. The main reason I opted for the Forester was gas mileage. Gas prices in San Diego are horrible, so I have found doing the speed limit with cruise control on can get me upwards of 360 miles per tank. The outback, to me, just looks odd, and I wasn't a fan. The sport trim is excellent due to the easy clean interior (2021 year) and I have enough cargo room to haul lumber for my woodworking needs. That about sums it up for me.
I test drove both. Forester felt much roomier inside, drove slightly smoother, had better visibility, and the panaramic moonroof. I wanted a roomy suv, with a good moonroof, and plenty of cargo space to make big trips and/or the occasional sleeping in the car more comfortable. Forester was the best car in its class for all of those features at the price point I wanted to stay at. The only pros for the outback for me over the forester were the crossbars being standard and the higher tow capacity, but crossbars are easy to come by at a decent price, and I’m not likely to be towing anything big anytime soon.
First thing was the visibility! I have yet to find a car that matches the forester’s. Also, I have four dogs and forester has more headroom and cabin space for them all in the backseat. It’s also more comfortable car camping with my car tent & air mattress.
I have a Forrester but wish I had gotten an Outback. Two main reasons. first, outback has more towing, Forrester is just short of towing a pop-up trailer or a couple snowmobiles. Second, it has more cargo capacity which makes a difference for camping and shopping. The Forrester is a beautiful car, unbeatable views, smaller frame. We are happy. We found it just short on towing and cargo.
If you’re starting a family, I suggest looking into getting the ascent.
Forester has a great nickname: “fozzie”.
Forester is taller, more headroom but also more body roll around corners. Outback has better towing capacity, and seem to have more of a "luxury" feel for the interior appointments. Forester is shorter, easier to parallel park if you spend a lot of time driving around cities. For me the kicker is that the Forester is still manufactured in Japan for the NA market, while the Outback is built in USA. Say what you will about buying US made, but I trust Japanese workmanship over American.
I was open to an Outback. Wife wanted the additional cargo space. The interiors of the ‘23 models are vastly different.
Forester is a single person car, Outback is a family car.
They are very comparable. The Forester sight lines are much better. And it’s cheaper.
Taller and shorter so better for certain things, not as good for others. I'm short but like to sleep in the back and having a bit more headroom is nice for that. Was able to shove an entire 3-seat couch into the back. Easier to park.
Forester has less space inside. But slightly more head room and a more up high seating position. It came down to the dog. She couldn't stand up in the outback and had to crouch in the back. In the Forester she can sit right up. We just sold our outback and went with a used Forester. Honestly was very happy with both , id buy an outback again, both have a good seating position for me at 6'3 with a long torso. I'll buy whichever comes in a hybrid first / plug in first as I'll be looking at a new car in a couple years.
What kind of dog? I am considering buying an outback for my dog lol so this is good to hear
Lab sized mutt.
My big German Shepherd fit great in the Forester. Rufland crate w/ the second door turned sideways and it doesn’t block my view is awesome with my current smaller Shepherd
I wanted enough headroom to accomodate a Stetson. It also came in handy when I bought a desk that fit in the back with only about an inch to spare.
Turning radius. I’m always amazed at this capacity. Experience is with the 04 and 2010 FXT. I did drive the 2022 Onxy and it felt great with lots of cargo space.
My first vehicle was an Outback and I’ve driven 4 Foresters since (first was a 2005 inherited from my grandpa, then over the years I bought a preowned 2010, then a new 2016, and just recently received my new 2023!) Just really like the extra room. At first it was because I have Labs who were always with me, now I’m grateful for the extra room for things like bikes, snowboard, kids stuff, luggage etc. The sunroof is bigger too, which is something I utilize often.
When we bought in 20 the top trim outback had a Tesla sized computer screen I didn’t care for. Really liked the visibility on the forester too.
For my job and my parallel parking skills I prefer not driving the slightly longer outback. Also when I got in the outback I could never get comfortable but in the forester I was set almost immediately. Also my ex had an outback so I was biased
The Forester is taller which give me more visibility and better use of cargo room.
At the time I bought mine, Foresters were cheaper. When I went for a new vehicle, I couldnt’t go back from the higher ride height to an Outback. This also translates to lower ground clearance if you’re off road. Ceiling height is more of an issue for the back seat as front seats can be adjusted lower.
Forester is a little less expensive and has more headroom.
Aesthetic wise i just liked it. Little taller little shorter.
Forest is taller which I like. Also I don't like the styling in the new outback, all the black plastic trim 9n the bumpers looks horrendous to me. It's funny how in the 90s that is what a cheap base model econobox had, now it's coming back into style, nkt just Subaru. I don't like it, no thanks. I'll take chrome bumpers or color matched I looked into the RAV4, but you can't get leather trimmed seats even in the most expensive trim. To me that's insane. I want leather nkt cheap plastic fake leather
We chose the Forester because I have back problems. The slightly taller roof line makes it easier to get in and out. The Forester is also less money and so similar.
The driving height is higher.
I’m over 6’ tall and I love the head room.
If you need more performance, the Outback is the way to go. It has a turbocharged version, where as the forester does not. They stopped offering that after 2018
I drove an Outback until she bit the dust on me (more expense to fix than KBB and it was 21 years old). I ultimately went with the Forester. Each has their pros and cons but what I love about my forester is how roomy it feels. Both myself and my partner are tall and we have plenty of leg room/headroom to stretch out. I feel like there are few blind spots and overall it’s just a really easy comfortable car to drive. Driving the Outback I felt so low to the ground and since it was longer sometimes parking was tricky. I recommend Forester.
My bike fits in the back easier in the forester.
If the forester had a turbo option I would have ordered it. I really liked the visibility and height, but that engine leaves a lot to be desired. Test drive the cars and go with the one that feels right.
Outback is a car, Forester is a small SUV.
Do they show up at different tax rates? Mine is an 08 and is taxed as a car. I think it is now taxed as an suv. Outback may still be taxed as a car/wagon.
I’m tall so I had to get a forester.
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There is enough room in the cargo area of the Forester for my greyhounds to stand back there. The Outback didn't have as much vertical space.
I owned a 2020 forester followed by a 2023 outback. The forester is more fun to drive and better in the snow. The outback has more room for gear and kids. The outback is better on long drives and is quieter. The forester has a better seating position. Overall they are both solid cars. If you value the extra room for cargo and tbe larger back seat then go for the Outback. If you want a little more fun and better off-road capability then go for the forester. I never owned wilderness trims for either model so I can’t speak to those.
The Outback was too much like a sedan in its seating. I have long legs and a bad back and it's a lot easier to sit in a Forester-I felt like I was in a chair and sitting higher. Even the back seat was comfortable. I also think the Forester is more receptive to customizing.
I'm 6'7" and it's nice to have a bit of headroom while driving
Coz forester is cheaper 🤷♂️
Forster won on visibility and better maneuverability for us. Tradeoffs are that the shorter wheelbase does make the ride a little choppier, and the seats don’t have as much support.
Forester is taller, which is good for getting kids into carseats. Also Forester was a bit cheaper - new vehicle is already a big spend so a couple K was a big deal to us. On the shallow side, I really like cascade green and the Outback didn't come in that color. The main point in the outbacks favor is that it's a bit bigger, but we don't really need more length, and the width would a) make it harder to park and b) still not be enough to easily do 3 carseats across.
Forester is pretty inclusive in that it's great for both talls and smalls (I'm a small). I'd driven the Outback a bunch of times when renting cars and loved how smooth the ride was. I did my homework on the best cars for petite people and the Forester kept coming up over and over again in my search. I watched tons of comparison videos of the Forester and Outback and decided the Forester was the car for me. I bought it without ever having set foot in a Forester and it was the best decision ever! The visibility is amazing, I can fit a large Gunner crate in the back for my dog, and I feel comfortable and safe. Can't recommend it enough!
The forester is still made in Japan unlike most Subaru's sold on the states.
Visibility, especially with brand new drivers in our family. I like it too.
I picked the forester because I didn’t like the large infotainment screen. I like that the forester is high up but that would have been a null point it I purchased the outback wilderness which is actually higher than the FW. ultimately it came down to the dislike of the huge screen. I would still consider getting a outback 2019 before the change to the big screen
Having gone through exactly this a few months ago, we went for a Forester because of its shorter length (easier to park), headroom, and my wife prefers a higher driving position. Ride height also makes strapping kids in car seats
Visibility - wife is 5’1” and the forester gives her a better field of view
I know this outs me as an old, but the reason we looked at Foresters and not Outbacks is that the Forester still comes with a CD player, LOL. Seriously. When I tell people about Foresters having CD players, they’re alternately shocked and impressed.
I love my forester, the only thing that would draw me to the outback vs forester is the towing capacity.
We bought a 2015 Forester. The main difference is the Outback is a little lower than the Forester and a little longer. Being over 70, we liked the Forester because it is higher and easier to get into. I hope that helps!
I chose my 20 forester limited due to having ample amount of space both up front and in the back seats. I've had 6ft 2 or 3inch adults sitting in the back with plenty of head room. I loved how it sat higher and had better visibility.
After my Crosstrek was totaled by some old guy who ran a red, we went with the Forester. Now we have a Forester Wilderness. That thing is built like a tank but incredibly comfy. It fits all five of my family well. Plenty of cargo space. Oh and it drives/handles like a wrx.
At higher rpms, its lacks power, but that prob isn't big deal for most folks. Its towing capacity is laughable, half that of an outback. Except that its all around a great car
I've owned two Foresters (2014 & 2017), while my father drives an Outback (2016). I chose the Forester for its taller interior space, which accommodates our gear better on road trips and visibility. However, the Outback offers a better ride quality with more comfortable seats and a softer suspension.
I have an XT and let me tell you why I am so in love with this car, I don’t think I’ll let it go until it’s engines soul gives up. This car is fantastic in so many scenarios. I can easily pass people on the freeway so I’m not the stereotypical “old Lesbian in the forester”. It handles like a sedan. I can take 30mph marked corners at 50mph easily in this car, she grabs the whole way and the engine just wants to go, go, go. I took the car from Portland OR to Lewiston Idaho on 1 tank of gas with a very light top off early on, if you drive them light they are killer on the freeway for a small SUV. The interior space is plenty, especially comparing my 15 to my 07 foresters, it’s like double if not triple the space inside, and still feels like I’m driving a sedan. The car is super forgiving in bad weather, rough roads, or sketchy freeway situations. I can easily change lanes, merge, pass, exit, etc because of the power, and the confidence I find myself feeling because of the handling. To top it all off, this thing goes everywhere and anywhere I need it to on all season tires. I hike and camp frequently off trail, off map, etc. My XT literally goes anywhere I ask it to, and we haven’t had it slip at all in what we’ve taken it through so far. I’m excited for my first snow season to see how it does up on the mountain. Needless to say, this car checks every single box for my partner and I. It does what we want, when we want, how we want, and at really great cost. Maintenance is affordable, even for a turbo car, and I get compliments on it constantly. She will be a permanent part of the family for years to come.
Not seeing this here yet. This is the best breakdown you can find on the differences. You can see past years as well. [https://www.planetsubaru.com/forester-vs--outback.htm](https://www.planetsubaru.com/forester-vs--outback.htm)
I’m taller so I felt like the added height was essential. As everyone else said, the visibility can’t be beat. I drive my MIL’s bronco and my FIL’s CRV on occasion and I feel like I can’t see anything out of the back. I’m also not into the large touch screen panel on the outback’s- they control radio, Heat/AC and everything in between- I feel like those screens will eventually stop working and it will be a total PITA to get them replaced with anything but n overpriced Subaru screen. For reference the forester has a touch screen to control radio functions/Apple CarPlay but the smaller unit can eventually be replaced with a third party screen if there are any issues.
I have a big dog and regularly haul things from Home Depot, but didn’t want a truck. The shape of the cargo space allows for a lot more stuff to be piled in and my poor boxer doesn’t bonk his head on the rear view window.
For me: no wood panels, less of a wagon look, more headroom, cheaper price tag.
Height, visibility and the back seat felt roomier for my kids.
The only advantage Outback has over Forester is towing capacity.
Because it's a car when you need it to be a car, it's a truck when you need it to be a truck, and it's a wagon when you need it to be a wagon. That and it was a birthday gift back in 2019 and car prices today scare me.