2024 Subaru Outback vs. Forester: A Comprehensive Comparison

The Subaru Outback and Forester have long been favorites among outdoor enthusiasts, families, and those prioritizing safety and reliability. Both models offer standard all-wheel drive (AWD), generous ground clearance, and advanced safety technologies. Our Huffines Subaru Corinth team has examined the key similarities and differences between the 2024 Outback and Forester, covering aspects such as exterior design, interior features, performance, safety, technology, and pricing. Read on to discover which option is the best for you.

Overview of the Subaru Forester

The 2024 Subaru Forester is a compact SUV that perfectly blends practicality, comfort, and capability. The Forester caters to various preferences and budgets and is available in six trim levels. Under the hood, you’ll find a 2.5-liter BOXER four-cylinder engine that delivers a respectable 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The Forester is ready for any adventure with standard AWD, 8.7 inches of ground clearance (9.2 inches on the Wilderness trim), and a spacious cargo area.

Overview of the Subaru Outback

The 2024 Subaru Outback is a midsize SUV that combines the best of a wagon and an SUV. With nine trim levels, the Outback offers many features and options.

The standard powertrain is the same 2.5-liter BOXER four-cylinder found in the Forester. Still, the Outback also offers an optional 2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER four-cylinder that produces an impressive 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. With its longer, wagon-like silhouette, the Outback boasts more cargo space and towing capacity than the Forester.

Exterior Comparison

The Outback has a longer, more wagon-like profile, measuring 191.9 inches, while the Forester has a more traditional SUV shape and is 9 inches shorter at 182.7 inches. The Forester, however, is slightly taller at 68.1 inches compared to the Outback’s 66.1 inches, giving it a more upright stance. Both models offer a range of wheel sizes (17 to 18 inches), LED lighting, and a variety of exterior colors. Here’s the lineup of colors the Forester comes in:

• Autumn Green.
• Brilliant Bronze.
• Cascade Green.
• Crystal Black.
• Crimson Red.
• Horizon Blue.
• Ice Silver.
• Magnetite Gray.
• Crystal White.

And here’s the list of unique color options for the Outback:

• Crystal Black Silica.
• Cosmic Blue Pearl.
• Ice Silver Metallic.
• Crystal White Pearl.
• Magnetite Gray Metallic.
• Autumn Green Metallic.
• Brilliant Bronze Metallic.
• Crimson Red Pearl.
• Dark Mahogany Pearl.
• Geyser Blue.

Both models’ Wilderness trims feature increased ground clearance, with the Outback Wilderness offering 9.5 inches and the Forester Wilderness providing 9.2 inches.

Interior Comparison

Inside, the Forester and Outback provide spacious and comfortable cabins with seating for up to five passengers. The Forester offers more passenger volume at 111.6 cubic feet than the Outback’s 109 cubic feet. The Forester also has a slight advantage in front headroom (41.2 inches) and legroom (43.3 inches) compared to the Outback’s 40.1 inches of headroom and 42.8 inches of legroom.

However, the Outback takes the lead in cargo capacity, offering 32.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 75.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Forester provides 28.9 cubic feet and 74.2 cubic feet, respectively. Both models feature high-quality materials, comfortable seats, and various interior color options.

Performance and Handling

The Forester and Outback share the same base powertrain: a 2.5-liter BOXER four-cylinder engine paired with a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission and Symmetrical AWD. This engine produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque in both models. The Outback, however, offers an optional 2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER four-cylinder that generates 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, giving it a significant advantage in acceleration and towing capacity.

The standard Outback can tow up to 2,700 pounds, while the turbocharged model can handle up to 3,500 pounds. The Forester’s towing capacity is limited to 1,500 pounds, which increases to 3,000 pounds for the Wilderness trim. Regarding fuel efficiency, the Forester has a slight edge, with EPA-estimated ratings of up to 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, while the Outback achieves 26 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. Both models offer a smooth and comfortable ride, responsive steering, and capable handling thanks to their standard AWD systems.

Safety Features

Subaru prioritizes safety, and both the Forester and Outback come standard with the EyeSight driver-assist technology suite. It includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. Higher trim levels and optional packages add even more safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Outback also has an optional 180-degree front-view camera. Both models have consistently earned high marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for their crashworthiness and safety features.

Technology and Infotainment

The 2024 Subaru Forester and Outback offer a range of technology and infotainment features to keep you connected and entertained on the road. Both models come equipped with the STARLINK infotainment system, with the Outback featuring a dual 7-inch touch-screen setup on the base model and a large 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen on higher trims. The Forester comes standard with a 6.5-inch touch screen, with an 8-inch unit available on select trims.

Both models offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration as standard, and the Outback offers wireless connectivity on certain trims. Other features include navigation, a premium Harman Kardon audio system, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Outback also offers a digital rearview mirror that is unavailable on the Forester.

Pricing and Trim Levels

The 2024 Forester has an MSRP of $27,095, while the 2024 Subaru Outback starts at $28,895. The Forester is available in six trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring. The Outback offers nine trim levels: Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness, Limited XT, and Touring XT. The higher-priced Outback trims, such as the Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT, and Touring XT, come equipped with the more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and additional premium features.

Experience the Subaru Difference at Huffines Subaru Corinth

Choosing between the 2024 Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback ultimately comes down to your specific needs, preferences, and budget. To experience these impressive SUVs firsthand, we invite you to visit us in Corinth, Texas. Our knowledgeable sales staff is dedicated to helping you find the perfect Subaru. Schedule a test drive today and discover why Subaru continues to be a leader in the SUV segment.