The Forester and Outback nameplates are well-known in the U.S. for their ruggedness and capability, thanks in part to generous ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive. Even though one is a crossover-like wagon and the other is a crossover, the two Subarus have more in common than you’d think besides seating five and having four doors. If you’re set on a Subie and torn between the Forester and Outback or if you’re just curious on how the two popular Subarus compare, keep reading to find out which is more powerful, affordable, versatile, efficient, and safer.
This car comparison is based on our extensive knowledge and understanding of the automotive market but not necessarily on recent driving experience.
Performance Advantage: Forester
When it comes to available engine upgrades, the two Subarus have different approaches. The Forester’s available 2.0XT model is powered by a 250 hp 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-4 with 258 lb-ft of torque. On the Outback, a 3.6R model is powered by a 256-hp, 247-lb-ft 3.6-liter flat-6. Between the Forester 2.0XT and the Outback 3.6R, the Forester is quicker and stops shorter than the Outback. A 2017 Forester 2.0XT we tested hit 60 mph in a quick 6.8 seconds and the quarter mile in 15.5 seconds at 90 mph during Motor Trend testing. A 2015 Outback 3.6R hit 60 mph in 7.3 seconds and the quarter mile in 15.7 seconds at 91.2 mph. The Outback stopped from 60 mph in 129 feet, longer than the Forester’s 115 feet.
The base engine for both vehicles is a 2.5-liter flat-4 that produces 170 hp in the Forester, an additional 5 hp in the Outback, and 174 lb-ft of torque in both applications. With the base engine, the Forester hit 60 mph in 8.7 seconds, beating the Outback’s time of 9.4 seconds.
Cargo Advantage: Outback
This is a close one, but the Outback barely ekes out the victory here with more cargo space behind the second row with 35.5 cubic feet (versus 31.5-34.4) and a slightly lower liftover height of 27.9 inches as opposed to the Forester’s 28.6 inches. For long objects, the Outback’s total cargo length of 77.7 inches tops the Forester’s by 5.8 inches, thanks to the long wagon body. Nobody wants the rear hatch slightly propped open when hauling a long load. However, the Forester does win in maximum cargo volume (rear seats folded down) with 74.7 cubic feet of volume, in comparison to the Outback’s 73.3 cubic feet. Get a Forester with the big moonroof, however, and total cargo capacity shrinks to a still useful 68.5 cubic feet.
Interior Room and Outward Visibility Advantage: Tie
Front and rear legroom are nearly identical in both vehicles. Even so, the Outback’s wider body allows for 1.6-2 more inches of hip room and a bit more shoulder room. When it comes to outward visibility, the Forester wins thanks to its larger windows, but the Outback still provides good visibility when compared to many modern-day crossovers.
Towing and Off-road Advantage: Tie
The Outback wins in towing with a maximum capacity of 2,700 pounds in comparison to the Forester’s 1,500 pounds. Ground clearance is even at a high 8.7 inches, but if you plan to trek on more than your average dirt trail, the Forester has a higher angle of approach, a higher angle of departure, and a higher breakover angle. In other words, the Forester can transverse more rugged terrain without damaging the undercarriage. Both vehicles use Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system for optimum traction on or off-road.
Safety Advantage: Outback
In terms of crash test results, the Outback has received the highest award designations from the IIHS and NHTSA. The 2018 Outback is considered a 2018 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for earning the highest crash test score of Good in all six crash evaluations. The Outback also received the highest score of Good and Good+ for the headlights and LATCH evaluations, respectively. The highest rating of Superior was issued for the front crash prevention test because the Outback avoided collisions in 12- and 25-mph front crash prevention tests, thanks to the EyeSight package of safety tech.
The 2018 Forester is considered a 2018 Top Safety Pick but missed the “+” designation because the crossover received the second-lowest rating of Marginal for the new passenger-side small overlap front crash test but received the highest rating of Good for the rest of the crash evaluations. The second-highest rating of Acceptable was issued for the headlights and LATCH evaluations. The Forester also received the highest rating of Superior for the front crash prevention test by avoiding collisions in 12- and 25-mph front crash prevention tests, thanks to EyeSight. The EyeSight package of driver assist safety features becomes optional on the 2.5i Premium trim and is standard on the Touring trims for both Subaru vehicles. In NHTSA testing, both vehicles received the highest five-star overall safety rating, but the Forester received a four-star rating for the frontal crash test, less than the Outback’s five stars.
Fuel Efficiency Advantage: Forester
When comparing the base 2.5-liter engine, both vehicles have an EPA rating of 28 mpg combined city/highway, but the Forester’s 26/32 mpg city/highway rating just beats the Outback’s 25/32 mpg rating. However, due to the Outback’s larger fuel tank, the wagon has a highway driving range of 592 miles versus the Forester’s shorter 509-mile driving range. The Forester’s available 2.0-liter turbo-four engine is rated at 23/27 mpg (25 combined), and the Outback’s available 3.6-liter flat-6 has a rating of 20/27 mpg (22 combined).
Price Advantage: Forester
Starting at around $3,000 less, the 2018 Forester easily takes this category with its $23,710 starting price, as opposed to the Outback’s starting price of $26,810. If you were never going to consider the Forester’s standard manual transmission, adding a CVT automatic for $1,000 still leaves a price advantage of about $2,000. To be fair, the Outback does offer a little more luxury with features such as attractive wood-like matte-finished interior accents, an available 8.0-inch infotainment screen (instead of the Forester’s available 7.0-inch unit), and a more powerful Harman Kardon premium audio system.
Style Advantage: Tie
The fact that the Subaru Outback is a wagon is probably the X-factor that draws in buyers, yet repels others. With the recent surge of crossovers sales, it’s clear that Americans prefer crossovers, but the Outback — a raised, crossover-like wagon — has continued to sell well. The Outback and Forester sell in similar numbers, and whether you like the design of the boxy Forester or crossover-wagon Outback depends on what you want to see in your driveway or parking spot, a rugged wagon or a more conventional crossover look.
Which one should you choose?
If you don’t mind driving a raised, crossover-wagon, then it’s a hard choice. For someone who wants to save a few bucks and have better on-road performance, go Forester. But if you want a vehicle with slightly better crash test scores, a bit more luxury, and more towing power, try the Outback.
Read our Outback and Forester reviews here:
- 2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i First Test
- 2016 Subaru Forester 2.5i First Test
- 2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R First Test
- 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0XT First Test
The post Car Compare: 2018 Subaru Forester and 2018 Subaru Outback appeared first on Motor Trend.
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