| Outback | Forester |
| Ground clearance is the same, at 8.7 inches, so both elude obstacles that snag mortal vehicles. |  |  |
| Outback is almost two inches wider. |  |  |
| Outback is almost eight inches longer. |  | 
|
| Forester is two inches taller. |  |  |
| Outward Visibility: Both have a "command driving position" allowing you to see over traffic in front of you. Forester and Outback were ranked #1 and #3 for best outward visibility among all vehicles! See the graphic. |  |  |
Dawg (and cargo) Space:
See how Blue can stand up better in Forester because it's a little taller. He can lounge better in the Outback because it's longer. So you could say he prefers the waggin'. Notice they have a similar amount of cubic volume, but the space is configured differently. | 
32.5 cubic ft: seats up | 
35.4 cubic ft: seats up |
| Two adult bicycles fit easily inside the Outback, flat with the wheels on. They would fit in a Forester, too, but would require tilting the front wheels or removing them. Forester's extra height pays off here. |  
75.7 cubic ft: seats down |  
76.1 cubic ft: seats down |
| Power Tailgate Option: Optional on both Outback and Forester. Watch our instructional video here. |  |  |
| Total People Space: Both offer about the same amount of people space. | 
109 cubic ft | 
107.8 cubic ft |
| Rear Legroom: given the Forester's shorter overall length, it's surprising to see a little more legroom in the Forester. Both benefit from ingenious scooping of front seats so there's more room for knees. | 
39.5 inches | 
39.4 inches |
| Price: comparably equipped, Outback is about $2,000 more, which buys you a bigger and even more substantial-feeling vehicle. |
Outback models and prices |
Forester models and prices |
| Towing Capacity: Forester can tow a small utility trailer but for a sailboat you'll need the Outback. | 2700 pounds with six preset gear ranges (3,500 pounds with optional turbo engine) | 1500 pounds with two preset gear ranges |
Airbags: Both have the six listed below- Two front airbags (deploy from steering wheel and dashboard);
- Two torso airbags (deploy from the edge of the front seats);
- Two curtain airbags (deploy downward from the roof protecting all four outboard occupants)
PLUS: To prevent "submarining," (sliding forward out of a safe position from under the seat belt) Forester offers a driver knee airbag. Outback gives both front seaters a cushion airbag in the flat part of the seats to hold you in place. |
Eight total airbags
Outback uses two cushion airbags for driver and front passenger to prevent "submarining." (#4 above) | 
Seven total airbags
Forester uses knee airbag for driver to prevent "submarining." (#4 above) |
Crash Tests: Both earn the highest Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest "Top Safety Pick PLUS" ratings.
| 
Outback Test Results | 
Forester Test Results |
| Subaru Eyesight System: Subaru Eyesight System includes pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise, and much more. Both have Subaru's latest, third-generation system, which includes Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Detection, and steering responsive headlights. Only Forester offers DriverFocus. |  |  |
| Optional Moonroof: only Forester offers an enormous panoramic moonroof big enough to eject unwelcome passengers. | 
Regular Size | 
super Size |
| Engines and Fuel Economy: You get the same standard 2.5 liter mill in both cars. Both run regular unleaded. Both are available only with automatic transmission. |  Continuously variable automatic transmission: 26 city, 33 highway 182 horsepower |  Continuously variable automatic transmission: 26 city, 33 highway 182 horsepower |
| Fuel Tank and Max Range: Outback's huge tank gives it mammoth range. | 18.5 gallons, 610 miles | 15.9 gallons, 547 miles |
| Go-go motor option: most folks find the standard engine sufficiently potent, but we can oblige your power hunger. |  Optional 260 horsepower 2.4 liter four cylinder turbo with high-torque Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission 23 city, 30 highway |  Subaru no longer offers an optional 2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder with high-torque Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission so if you need extra power you might want to look at a low-mileage used Forester XT model. 23 city, 28 highway. |
| Rooftop Cargo Solutions: Except on Touring model, Outback offers standard roof rails (the bars that run front to back) AND integrated crossbars (the bars that run side to side). Rails are standard on all Foresters except base model; crossbars optional on all Forester models. | 
Integrated crossbars are posed partially open to show how they work. | 
Optional crossbars (not shown) are easily bolted on to the rails shown here. |
| Planet-exclusive high resolution photo galleries, videos, and much more... |  Planet Outback Center |  Planet Forester Center |
| Digital Brochures |  |  |
