2025 Subaru Forester vs. Outback Model Comparison | Features & Specs Compared | McLaughlin Subaru

Adventure is out there, and the 2025 Subaru Forester and 2025 Subaru Outback are prepared to get you there. Both are five-passenger SUVs with energetic capabilities, but which is right for you? To help you make that determination, the team at McLaughlin Subaru in Moline, IL, has crafted an in-depth 2025 Subaru Forester vs. Outback comparison to assist in your research. 

If either the new Subaru Forester or new Subaru Outback has caught your eye, be sure to head over to our Forester inventory and Outback inventory to explore your options. If you find one or more SUVs you’d like to see in person, use our online form to schedule a test drive. Before setting out, double check our directions — we’re located near Bettendorf and Davenport, IA. Have questions? Give us a call at (309) 797-5654 or contact us online. 

New Subaru Forester Key Features

The new Subaru Forester is a versatile SUV designed for commuting and family adventures alike. Built to seat five passengers, it has a roomy cargo capacity, fuel-efficient engine, and offers a large 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen. To learn more about the Subaru Forester, take a look at our review. Want to save on a Forester? Consider our current offers. 

New Subaru Outback Key Features

The new Subaru Outback is the SUV for you if you’re looking for a fun-to-drive SUV with the capacity to handle expansive cargo. Plus, the Outback Wilderness trim option offers enhanced off-roading capabilities. For more details on the Subaru Outback and its features, check out our review. To save on an Outback, be sure to consider our current offers. 

Exterior Design Differences

The 2025 Subaru Forester and 2025 Subaru Outback are both classy SUVs. For your convenience, both offer a hands-free power rear gate that allows you to easily access the cargo hold within. While both offer LED fog lights, only the Outback Wilderness trim comes with LED fog lights with a unique hexagonal style. Also specific to the Outback Wilderness trim is a 9.5-inch ground clearance ideal for off-roading — all other Outback and Forester models come with an 8.7-inch ground clearance. If you prefer a low-profile roof rail style, only the Forester offers this style. However, both SUVs do come standard with raised roof rails. Choose between 17- to 19-inch wheels for the Forester or 17- to 18-inch wheels on the Outback. 

Available Forester and Outback exterior features include: 

• Hands-free power rear gate
• LED steering responsive headlights and fog lights
• Panoramic power moonroof
• Windshield wiper de-icer
• Raised roof rails

Interior Cargo Space & Features

Quality materials are paired with classic style inside both the 2025 Subaru Forester and 2025 Subaru Outback. Both interiors can be upholstered in cloth, water-repellent StarTex®, or leather, and the Outback also offers Nappa leather seat upholstery on select trims. Optimize your seating position with a ten-way power driver’s seat in the Forester or stretch out even further with 12-way driver’s seat power adjustability in the Outback. Outback drivers also have access to two-position memory settings for their seat and outside mirror for quick recall. Other features exclusive to the Outback include ventilated front seats and a smart auto-dimming rearview compass mirror with HomeLink®.

Of the two, the Outback offers more cargo space overall — 75.6 cubic feet behind the front row and 32.6 cubic feet behind the second row. Meanwhile, the Forester offers 69.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats and 27.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Both SUVs have reclining 60/40-split flat-folding rear seatbacks. To quickly lower the rear seat, the Forester also exclusively offers one-touch folding rear seatbacks. 

Available Forester and Outback interior features include: 

• Eight-way power front passenger’s seat
• Heated front seats and rear outboard seats
• Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Dual-zone automatic climate control system

Connect effortlessly with the information and entertainment you need easy access to thanks to the technology in the 2025 Subaru Forester and 2025 Subaru Outback. Both offer a range of infotainment touchscreen sizes that go from dual 7-inch touchscreens to a single 11.6-inch screen. To reduce cord clutter, both also offer available wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. The Forester offers available Subaru Live Traffic with the infotainment system, while the Outback offers SiriusXM® Traffic®. The Outback is also exclusive with an available CD player. 

Available Forester and Outback technology features include: 

• SUBARU STARLINK® dual 7-in. Multimedia or 11.6-in. Multimedia Plus or Navigation
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio capability
• SiriusXM Travel Link®
• HD Radio™
• Harman Kardon® premium audio system
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi® capability

Engine Specs Offered

The 2025 Subaru Outback and 2025 Subaru Forester each offer engines with impressive fuel economy ratings and lively performance capabilities. The Forester offers one capable engine, while the Outback offers two engine options. Not only does the Outback offer two dynamic engine options, but it can tow light trailers easily — it boasts a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds when equipped with the available 2.4L turbocharged SUBARU BOXER® four-cylinder engine. The Forester allows you to maximize its fuel efficiency with up to 33 highway MPG. For more rugged terrain, turn to the available dual-function X-MODE® offered on both SUVs, which improves driving performance in snowy and muddy conditions.

See engine specs for both models in the accompanying table.

2024 Subaru Outback vs. Forester Comparison | Moline, IL

Capable power, enhanced technology, and spacious accommodations set the 2024 Subaru Outback and 2024 Subaru Forester up for success. Which of these two five-passenger Subaru SUVs are right for you, though? Find out by reading through this 2024 Subaru Outback vs. Forester comparison put together by the McLaughlin Subaru team. You can also head over to our Outback review and Forester overview for further information. 

Interested in giving one or both of these Subaru SUVs a test drive? Check out our Outback inventory and Forester inventory, pick out your favorite, and schedule a test drive at our Moline, IL, dealership. Be sure to explore your leasing options in the form of our current Outback deal and Forester offer as well. Have questions? Get in touch with us by phone at (309) 726-4684 or through our contact form. Our Quad Cities dealership is proud to serve residents of Bettendorf and Davenport, IA, as well as surrounding communities.

2024 Subaru Outback vs. Forester Exterior Styling

Both the 2024 Subaru Outback and Forester are distinguished Subaru SUVs with swooping silhouettes. They both offer 17- or 18-inch wheels and LED steering responsive headlights, fog lights, and daytime running lights. Both SUVs have a Wilderness trim option which comes with eye-catching hexagonal-style fog lights. What are some differences? Besides size — the Outback is larger and has a higher available ground clearance — the Outback also offers power-folding side mirrors and does not come with a roof spoiler. Meanwhile, the Forester stands out with a stylish roof spoiler and you can reach out and manually fold the side mirrors. 

View exterior dimensions for both SUVs in the accompanying table. 

2024 Subaru Outback vs. Forester Interior Amenities

Find your nirvana in either the 2024 Subaru Forester or Outback. Comfort is key, and both offer several similarities, including available front seat backrest and temperature adjustments and infotainment options. The differences reside in infotainment display sizes, number of premium sound speakers, and the style of the moonroof. The Outback glass moonroof offers a tilt/sliding function, while the Forester has a sleek panoramic moonroof. Select buttons from the standard 6.5-inch or available 8-inch infotainment display on the Forester, or reach for the dual 7-inch displays on the Outback or the optional 11.6-inch display. If you choose a higher trim level, you can elevate your music experience through the Harman Kardon® premium audio system on either SUV, which is available with nine speakers on the Forester and 12 speakers on the Outback. 

Shared 2024 Subaru Outback and Forester interior and infotainment features include: 

Interior:

• Dual-zone automatic climate control system

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle

• Ten-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support
• Eight-way power front passenger’s seat
• Reclining rear seatbacks
• Heated front seats, rear outboard seats, and steering wheel

• Two-position driver's seat memory

Infotainment:

• Four- or six-speaker sound system
• SUBARU STARLINK Multimedia, Multimedia Plus, or Multimedia Navigation
• SiriusXM® Satellite Radio
• SiriusXM Traffic® and Travel Link®
• CD player
• HD Radio™
• Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
• AM/FM stereo
• Bluetooth®
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi® capability

2024 Subaru Outback vs. Forester Seating & Storage Capacity

Discover the room you need for cargo and passengers in either the 2024 Subaru Outback or Forester. Both offer similar capacities, but the Outback ultimately has more cargo space, while the Forester offers the better front legroom. Use the 60/40 split flat-folding rear seats inside either SUV to configure your cabin as needed. Both SUVs offer power rear gates, but only the Outback gate has hands-free functionality as an option. 

View interior dimensions in the accompanying table. 

2024 Subaru Outback vs. Forester Performance & Fuel Economy

The 2024 Subaru Outback and 2024 Subaru Forester offer engines with excellent fuel economy. You’ll find the Forester offers slightly better highway MPG. Both SUVs are equipped with symmetrical all-wheel drive and Lineartronic® CVT (continuously variable transmission) with adaptive control. Lineartronic CVT on select Forester trims comes with seven-speed manual mode, while the Forester Wilderness has eight-speed manual mode. Meanwhile, the Outback Lineartronic CVT is offered with eight-speed manual mode. 

View engine specs for both SUVs in the accompanying table. 

2024 Subaru Outback vs. Forester Safety Features

You can rest easy knowing contemporary driver assist technology options are available with both the 2024 Subaru Outback and Forester. The only real differences between the driver assistance options on each SUV lie within the EyeSight® driver assist technology suite. The Outback EyeSight suite includes lane keep assist and automatic emergency steering, which is replaced with a :pre-collision braking system and pre-collision throttle management on the Forester. 

Shared 2024 Subaru Outback and Forester driver assist features include: 

• Reverse automatic braking
• Blind spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert
• Hill descent control
• DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System
• LED headlights, daytime running lights, and fog lights
• High beam assist
• Rear vision camera
• 180-degree front-view monitor
• EyeSight driver assist technology
• Lane departure and sway warning
• Advanced adaptive cruise control with lane centering

2023 Subaru Outback vs. 2023 Subaru Forester | Features & Performance

Do you prefer the look and practicality of a wagon body style ― or an SUV? In this comparison review of the 2023 Subaru Outback and 2023 Subaru Forester, we go beyond exterior design styling to illuminate what each model offers in terms of comfort, performance, and convenience. 

Both the 2023 Subaru Outback and 2023 Subaru Forester deliver a freedom-loving, adventure-seeking Subaru driving experience with the ability to leave the pavement and venture off onto a backwoods trail. An elevated ride height lessens the worry you might have with a vehicle with lower ground clearance. Want more rugged capability? The 2023 Outback and 2023 Forester offer a Wilderness trim option that features more off-roading equipment and features so you can explore those off-the-grid spots and settle into your perfect campsite.

Find your favorite 2023 Subaru Outback or 2023 Subaru Forester at McLaughlin Subaru in Moline, IL. Search our Outback inventory or Forester inventory to locate a trim that interests you, then contact us at (309) 726-4684 or start a chat to schedule a test drive.

For more model-specific information, visit our Outback review and Forester review pages.

Interior Comfort & Technology

A keyless entry system makes it easy for you to enter and secure your 2023 Outback or 2023 Forester, while convenient push-button start waits for you to place your foot on the brake to ensure the vehicle is under your control when ignition occurs.

A power rear gate offered on both models includes such conveniences as automatic close, a height memory function, and a vehicle lock button. The Outback also adds hands-free capability.

Other comfort and convenience features you’ll find on the Outback and Forester include:

• Automatic or dual-zone climate control system
• Manually- or power-adjustable front seats with two-position driver’s seat and power mirror memory
• Cloth, StarTex® water-repellent, or leather-trimmed upholstery ‒ Forester adds a sport cloth option and Outback features perforated Nappa leather-trimmed upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Heated rear outboard seats
• Reclining 60/40 split, flat-folding rear seatbacks
• Heated, leather-wrapped, three-spoke steering wheel with integrated controls
• Six-speaker sound system with or without a CD player or a 576W Harman Kardon® audio system with 12 speakers (Outback) or nine speakers (Forester)
• SUBARU STARLINK® Multimedia systems with or without navigation and 7- or 11.6-in. displays (Outback) or 6.5- or 8-in. displays (Forester)
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi® capability
• USB ports

Dimensions & Cargo Space

Up to five family members or friends can pile into the 2023 Subaru Outback and 2023 Subaru Forester. Expandable cargo area into the rear seat area adds versatility should you need to transport bulky or long items.

*Varies slightly by trim.

**Base trim features 41.2 and 39.6 inches of headroom space.

2023 Subaru Outback vs. Forester Colors

2023 Subaru Outback

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

2023 Subaru Forester

• Geyser Blue
• Crystal Black Silica
• Cascade Green Silica
• Crystal White Pearl
• Horizon Blue Pearl
• Sapphire Blue Pearl
• Crystal Black Silica
• Cascade Green Silica
• Autumn Green Metallic
• Brilliant Bronze Metallic
• Magnetite Gray Metallic
• Ice Silver Metallic

Engine, Transmission, & Towing Capacity

Dependable and capable, both the 2023 Subaru Outback and 2023 Subaru Forester feature SUBARU BOXER® gas-powered engines that pair with a Lineartronic® CVT with adaptive control and eight-speed (Outback) or seven-speed (Forester) manual mode. Agility and traction control are further enhanced thanks to the Subaru symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) system with X-MODE® technology.

The 2023 Forester also features Subaru SI-DRIVE® sport mode to help you balance a sporty ride with fuel-efficient driving.

*The Wilderness trim, when properly equipped, delivers up to 3,000 pounds of maximum towing capacity.

Safety & Driver Assistance Technology

Renowned for its safety focus, Subaru equips both the 2023 Outback and 2023 Forester with passive and active safety features to help protect and support you when you’re behind the wheel and commanding the road.

Among the advanced tech features you’ll find is a biometrics-reading DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System® that monitors your facial features with an infrared camera to look for and detect signs of fatigue or distraction. You’ll be alerted so you can avoid causing an accident.

 Other safety features you’ll find with both the Outback and Forester:

• Comprehensive airbag system
• High beam assist
• LED daytime running lights
• Anti-theft security system with engine immobilizer
• EyeSight® driver assistance system
• 180-degree front view monitor
• Brake assist
• Brake override system
• Reverse automatic braking
• Rear vision camera
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Blind spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert
• LATCH child seat mounting system
• SUBARU STARLINK Safety and Security connected services

2023 Subaru Outback vs. Forester Price

The 2023 Subaru Outback has a starting MSRP of $28,395; in comparison, the 2023 Subaru Forester starts at $26,395 MSRP.