Subaru Forester vs. Subaru Outback | 2023 Comparison + The Best Model Year For Every Budget

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) categorizes these Subarus differently. Based on cabin passenger volume and cargo space, the Forester is classified as a small SUV, while the Outback is considered a midsize SUV. Interestingly, there’s not much difference inside. Most Forester trims have 107.6 cubic feet of passenger volume against 109.0 cubic feet for the Outback. This translates into an interesting comparison of interior measures (not always in the Outback’s favor), which we’ll look at later. 

Engine Options & Specifications:

The separation between the Forester and Outback in Subaru’s lineup starts to take shape under the hood. There’s only one engine available with the Forester: the tried-and-true 2.5-liter four-cylinder. With 182 horsepower and a zero to 60 MPH time of 8.1 seconds, it’s a powerplant best described as “pokey.”

While the same engine is also used in the Outback (with a 0-60 MPH time of 8.6 seconds), Subaru upgrades more premium trims with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder unit. Horsepower is dialed up significantly (to 260 ponies), enabling these Outbacks to reach 60 MPH from a standstill in an impressive 5.8 seconds. To put this performance in perspective, the punchier Outback is as fast as a Ford Mustang EcoBoost. 

Neither the Forester nor the Outback will win awards for fuel economy. Most trims (Forester and Outback) with the 2.5-liter engine are rated for 26 MPG in the city and 32-33 MPG on the highway. This isn’t necessarily terrible but yields about 5%–10% less than what the Toyota RAV4 (also with a non-turbo 2.5-liter engine) delivers.

If towing is a typical activity, then learning each vehicle’s trailering capability may be a deciding factor. Most Forester trims can pull up to 1,500 pounds (the Forester Wilderness is rated for 3,000 pounds). With the base engine, an Outback can tow 2,700 pounds. This capability increases to 3,500 pounds for Outbacks with the turbo engine. When it comes to towing, chalk one up for the Subaru Outback. 

Transmission Options & Specifications:

The Forester versus Outback contest comes out to tie with the transmission. Both vehicles use the same continuously variable transmission (CVT). A CVT is a bit more high-tech than a conventional automatic gearbox and is designed to balance fuel economy and performance. See the “Tech Talk” section below the charts to learn about CVTs.

TECH TALK: CVTs

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) does not use gears like a typical automatic transmission. Instead, it has two pulleys connected by a belt. One pulley connects to the engine, and the other connects to the wheels. The belt transfers the power between the pulleys. This setup allows the pulleys to continuously change positions as needed. The CVT automatically adjusts the pulleys as required, providing smooth and efficient power delivery.

One of Subaru’s trademarks is standard all-wheel drive (AWD) on all non-sports car models (the BRZ fastback coupe is rear-wheel drive). So, both the Forester and Outback are strictly AWD. This drivetrain comparison is another tie. 

S = Standard

NHTSA Safety Ratings

Subaru makes a point of playing up safety in its marketing, rivaling Volvo for hammering this message. It’s an effort that makes perfect sense, given that FIXD surveys show Forester and Outback owners use their cars more for family transportation than anything else (44% for Forester, 43% for Outback). 

These Subarus also spend a lot of time on the road for commuting and long-distance driving duties (31% for Forester and 26% for Outback), activities we categorize as “lots of driving.” 

It all emphasizes the importance of solid crash test results, which Subaru delivers. The Forester and Outback received a perfect 5 out of 5 for overall safety in tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The same results with frontal and side crash tests reinforce these noteworthy achievements. It doesn’t get any better than this. 

If there’s any shortfall, both vehicles score a 4 in NHTSA’s rollover evaluation. However, this is a typical result for elevated cars like SUVs and pickups. 

IIHS Awards:

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) takes a somewhat different approach to safety testing. In particular, it focuses on its small frontal overlap crash test, which the organization feels represents a more real-world scenario (a single car running into a fixed object). IIHS also looks at side impact crashes, roof strength, headlight effectiveness, and advanced driver safety technologies (like automatic emergency braking). 

While tested vehicles receive a Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor grade, the true measure comes if a car gets a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ designation. If “Good” is a “B” grade, Top Safety Pick notches things up to an “A-,” and the Top Safety Pick+ signifies an “A+.”

There’s certainly nothing wrong with the 2023 Forester receiving a Top Safety Pick. However, the 2023 Outback’s Top Safety Pick+ designation gives it a slight leg up.

Airbags & Head Restraints:

Given the Forester’s and Outback’s sameness in so many areas, it’s unsurprising to see both vehicles match up with identical airbag setups. In addition to the typical front and side-impact units for the front row, Subaru includes side curtain airbags that protect both rows in the event of a side-impact collision or rollover. The driver also gets a knee airbag that positions the body to lessen injury in an accident. 

Neither the Forester nor the Outback comes with overhead airbags. This newer technology replaces traditional front-row units (steering wheel and dashboard) with overhead devices. Active head restraints are usually found in specialty and high-end vehicles to minimize whiplash injuries. Mainstream cars like the Forester and Outback aren’t usually equipped with this feature.

Semi-Autonomous Driving:

Don’t expect cutting-edge technology like hands-free driving in a Subaru; that’s not this automaker’s approach. Instead, Subaru introduces proven systems consistent with its cars’ reputation (deserved or not) as safe and reliable transportation.

That’s why you’ll only find semi-autonomous driving tech like adaptive cruise control (ACC) in the 2023 Forester and Outback. ACC automatically adjusts a car’s speed to maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead. It reduces the need for constant braking and accelerating in stop-and-go traffic. However, ACC is not autonomous—the driver still needs to steer and remain alert at all times.

Subaru also includes lane keep assist and lane centering to ensure drivers of the 2023 Forester and Outback stay within their lanes. This technology works through an alert system, sensors,  and subtle steering corrections (drivers can turn off these features).

Reverse automatic braking (RAB) is another handy safety feature that applies the brakes when reversing if sensors detect an obstacle behind the vehicle. It can warn the driver and auto-brake if needed. This helps avoid backing into objects. RAB is standard on most mid-tier and higher Forester and Outback trims. It’s an option with Forester Sport and Outback Onyx Edition. RAB is unavailable with the base and Premium trims (Forester and Outback).

Driver Warning Systems & Telematics:

Packaged under Subaru’s EyeSight label, the 2023 Forester and Outback have numerous standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), technologies designed to minimize or prevent accidents. 

At a minimum, all trims get forward collision warning (FCW) and lane departure warning (LDW). FCW alerts a driver if an obstacle is detected ahead, and LDW signals if the driver has steered outside the traffic lane. As part of its pre-collision braking system, automatic emergency braking is included with the Forester and Outback. This technology will automatically apply the brakes if a potential forward collision is identified (pedestrian detection is part of this system). 

Other ADAS technology creates a dividing line between the Forester and Outback trims. Blind-spot monitoring (BSM) and rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA) aren’t available on base versions and are optional with the second-from-the-bottom Premium (Forester and Outback). However, all higher trims get BSM and RCTA as standard equipment. 

Both cars (all trims) come with a rear seat reminder, so no one gets unintentionally left behind.

If ADAS technology appears like alphabet soup, check out an effort from AAA, Consumer Reports, J.D. Power, and other groups working to standardize the terminology for these systems. 

Road Visibility Features:

While base versions of the Forester and Outback don’t have all the safety tech, Subaru gets bonus points for equipping all trims with adaptive headlights. This feature, usually found in more expensive cars, adjusts the direction of the headlights based on steering input to improve visibility when driving at night. Equally as helpful are standard LED headlights and automatic high beams. A rearview camera is included, too, but this is a legal requirement. 

Compared to other mainstream SUVs, these Subarus lag somewhat due to a lack of advanced visibility equipment. Not even the top-tier trims have a head-up display (projects critical driving information like vehicle speed directly onto the windshield) or rain-sensing windshield wipers.

Interior Features:

Although the 2023 Forester and Outback may not have every technological bell and whistle, phone-centric shoppers can breathe easier because Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. 

Since Subaru is popular in northern states, making heated front seats standard on most Forester and Outback trims makes sense. Only those who buy the base versions are left out in the cold. 

And speaking of heated seats, some automakers offer this feature through a subscription service. This hasn’t yet happened in the U.S., but in certain countries, BMW offered heated seats for a monthly fee. The advantage is you can shut off the service during warm months, but you’ll need to keep paying (or pay a one-time upfront fee) to activate the heated seats. Recently, BMW announced it was backing away from this practice. Moving forward, the automaker will only charge a subscription for software-based services (like upgraded navigation). Hardware-based features will be part of the vehicle’s initial purchase price. 

One industry study shows mixed results for consumer acceptance of features on demand (FoD), with about one-fifth not even being aware of the concept. 

Interior Dimensions:

The modestly larger Outback excels in many interior dimensions, especially cargo space. While most Foresters offer 26.9 cubic feet behind the second row, the Outback has 32.6 cubic feet. This may not seem like much of a difference, but the extra capacity will matter to those who regularly stuff their cars with groceries and gear. 

The Outback’s extra bulk also helps with better rear headroom and greater front and rear hip room. Interestingly, the Forester’s 43.3-inch front legroom beats the Outback by half an inch, which could be a selling point for taller front-row occupants. 

Otherwise, the interior dimensions for the Forester and Outback are only separated by fractions of inches.

Exterior Features:

Wheels may also be an afterthought for many car buyers. But wheel size can impact ride quality. Larger rims can translate into better traction and cornering but may result in a bumpier ride. Bigger wheels also offer better aesthetics by filling out the wheel wells more completely. This is why the higher the trim, the larger the wheel. Different materials (steel or alloy) and finishes also help separate the wheels among the various trim levels. 

Let’s restate the obvious if we haven’t painted a proper picture. The Subaru Forester and Outback are family cars, dashing any hopes for bright colors. Muted reds, blues, greens, and golds don’t exactly spice up the exterior, but at least they’re available in addition to the usual white, black, silver, and gray offerings. 

Try the performance-oriented WRX sports sedan if bright colors and a Subaru badge are a must-have. 

Exterior Dimensions:

Another factor differentiating the Forester and Outback is exterior size. Not only is the Outback 9.2 inches longer, but it’s also 2.7 inches wider. This extra bulk probably isn’t meaningful for most suburban drivers, but a larger exterior can make the Outback more challenging to park in tight spaces. The Forester is two inches taller, which is evident when seeing how its greenhouse compares to the more low-slung Outback. 

And except for the Wilderness trims, the Forester and Outback have the same ground clearance (8.7 inches), giving both equal footing when tackling speed bumps and dirt roads. The Forester Wilderness has a 9.2-inch ground clearance, while the Outback Wilderness has a modest advantage with 9.5 inches between the ground and chassis. 

There’s not much to say about Forester and Outback warranty coverage. Both get the same factory warranty from Subaru: three years or 36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and powertrain (engine, transmission, and drive axles) protection for five years or 60,000 miles. The bumper-to-bumper warranty also includes roadside assistance. 

Owners have a lot to say about their Subaru Foresters and Outbacks, and most of it is favorable. A review of recent Reddit (Reddit: r/whatcarshouldIbuy) comments offered insight into these thoughts. 

Strikingly, many commenters heaped praise on their respective Subarus, not realizing that other models had the same features. One Redditor, for instance, touted how well their Forester’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system made it great for “handling various road conditions.” A capability also ingrained in the Outback. The same can be said for the EyeSight driver-assist system. 

Yet, other feedback helped clarify how the Forester and Outback stand apart. Several Redditors felt the Outback is better because of its more spacious interior and larger cargo space. Another remarked that Outback’s longer wheelbase provided a smoother and more comfortable ride. But the Forester has its share of champions, with a higher seating position and better visibility among this car’s preferred qualities. 

Perhaps one commenter explained how to choose between the two. The Outback is preferable for prioritizing “cargo space and off-road capabilities,” while the Forester is best for those who “want a slightly smaller and more nimble SUV.”