Subaru Forester vs Subaru Outback
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Subaru Outback
Overview
| Spec | Subaru ForesterForester SUV | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Forester SUV | Premium |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Subaru ForesterForester SUV | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $29,995 (best) | $34,995 |
| Lowest listing price | $13,997 | $7,995 (best) |
| Median listing price | $27,995 (best) | $42,338 |
| Highest listing price | $42,263 (best) | $53,175 |
| For sale now | 89 | 174 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Subaru ForesterForester SUV | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 29 MPG (best) | 28 MPG |
| City MPG | 26 MPG | 26 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 33 MPG (best) | 32 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 16.6 gal | 18 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Subaru ForesterForester SUV | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 180 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Cylinders | flat 4 | flat 4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Subaru ForesterForester SUV | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 74.4 cu ft | 80.5 cu ft (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,510 lbs (best) | 3,741 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in | 8.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 in | 108.1 in (best) |
| Length | 183.3 in | 191.7 in (best) |
| Width | 72 in | 74 in (best) |
| Height | 68.1 in (best) | 67.5 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Subaru ForesterForester SUV | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 3 | None reported (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Subaru Forester | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forester SUV $29,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Premium $34,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Premium $33,385 MSRP | Limited $41,715 MSRP |
| 3 | Premium Hybrid $34,730 MSRP | Limited XT $44,365 MSRP |
| 4 | Sport $36,105 MSRP | Wilderness $44,995 MSRP |
| 5 | Limited $37,695 MSRP | Touring $45,395 MSRP |
| 6 | Sport Hybrid $37,930 MSRP | Touring XT $47,995 MSRP |
| 7 | Wilderness $38,385 MSRP | — |
| 8 | Limited Hybrid $38,995 MSRP | — |
| 9 | Touring Hybrid $41,545 MSRP | — |
| 10 | Touring $41,595 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Subaru Forester89 for sale
See all
Used2020 Subaru Forester
Premium
Crystal White Pearl•Black95,634 mi$17,995Wholesale Direct Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Used2019 Subaru Forester
Limited
Silver•black42,576 mi$21,000Kia of Clermont
Clermont, FL
Certified2026 Subaru Forester
Wilderness
Magnetite Gray Metallic•Gray2,648 mi$34,674Dulles Kia Leesburg
Leesburg, VA
Used2023 Subaru Forester
Wilderness
White•Gray16,392 mi$29,551Kia on Atlantic
Jacksonville, FL
Used2022 Subaru Forester
Limited
Blue•lighting37,321 mi$25,263Kia of Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel, FL
Used2024 Subaru Forester
Wilderness
Magnetite Gray Metallic•gray40,325 mi$30,265Classic Nissan Newport News
Newport News, VA
Subaru Outback174 for sale
See all
Used2013 Subaru Outback
2.5i
Satin White Pearl•Saddle Brown146,791 mi$8,990Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Used2024 Subaru Outback
Limited XT
Crystal White Pearl•Warm Ivory13,467 mi$30,686Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Used2023 Subaru Outback
Limited XT
Autumn Green Metallic•Warm Ivory74,887 mi$24,386Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Used2025 Subaru Outback
Premium
White•Black2,572 mi$30,096Kia on Atlantic
Jacksonville, FL
Used2024 Subaru Outback
Wilderness
Crystal Black Silica•gray35,213 mi$31,531Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Used2016 Subaru Outback
2.5i
Ice Silver Metallic•Black85,540 mi$15,531Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Subaru Forester vs Subaru Outback FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Subaru Forester or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Subaru Outback on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Subaru Forester or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Subaru Forester starts lower at $29,995. Live Subaru Forester listings start at $13,997. Live Subaru Outback listings start at $7,995.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Subaru Forester or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Subaru Forester leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (29,995).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Subaru Forester or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Subaru Forester leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (35).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Subaru Forester or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Subaru Outback leads on horsepower in this comparison (260).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Subaru Forester or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Subaru Forester leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (3,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Subaru Outback?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Subaru Forester (5/5 NHTSA overall); Subaru Outback (Not Rated/5 NHTSA overall).