Compare/Outback vs. Forester

Configuration-aware comparison

2025 Subaru Outback vs. 2026 Subaru Forester

The Outback spans 182 / 260 horsepower and 9 mapped trim positions; the Forester spans 180 / 194 horsepower and 6. The better fit depends on the exact powertrain, drivetrain and equipment path. This comparison weighs powertrain range, drivetrain, trim structure, capability, seating & cargo, using each vehicle's own verified manufacturer and EPA-sourced facts instead of a single averaged rating. The Outback carries 9 mapped trim positions and 3 linked sources; the Forester carries 6 and 4, so either side can be verified against its own primary record instead of taken on this page's summary alone. Configuration, not badge name, decides which one actually fits. Check the exact trim and powertrain before treating either vehicle's specification as settled.

Checked Aug. 17, 2026United States specifications7 linked sources

Decision fieldSubaru OutbackSubaru Forester

Power182 / 260 hp180 / 194 hp

DrivetrainStandard AWDStandard AWD

Trim map9 published positions6 published positions

Seating55

Powertrain contextPowertrain: 2.5L flat-four or 2.4L turbo flat-four · Output: 182 / 260 hpEngine: 2.5L boxer (gas) / hybrid system · Gas output: 180 hp

Towing contextThe most the 2025 Subaru Outback is published to tow is 2,700 / 3,500 lb.Most Forester trims are rated for 1,500 pounds; Forester Wilderness is rated for 3,500 pounds.

Ranges and maximums describe family-level possibilities. Open each vehicle record before treating a number or feature as applicable to a particular trim.

What separates them

Four decisions that change the answer.

This comparison does not force a universal winner. It identifies the configuration question that matters for each use case.

Powertrain range

Outback: Powertrain 2.5L flat-four or 2.4L turbo flat-four; Output 182 / 260 hp. Forester: Engine 2.5L boxer (gas) / hybrid system; Gas output 180 hp.

Drivetrain

The Outback is represented with Standard AWD; the Forester with Standard AWD. Standard status must be checked by trim.

Trim structure

The Outback comes in 9 trims and the Forester in 6. Package combinations can create additional builds.

Capability

The most the 2025 Subaru Outback is published to tow is 2,700 / 3,500 lb. Most Forester trims are rated for 1,500 pounds; Forester Wilderness is rated for 3,500 pounds.

Seating & cargo

The 2025 Subaru Outback seats 5 (midsize crossover). The 2026 Forester is a two-row compact SUV with seating for five.

Model-year note: the Subaru Outback figures below come from EPA's 2027 records, the nearest model year EPA lists for it.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Subaru Outback: 3 records · Subaru Forester: 4 records.

Decision field	Subaru Outback	Subaru Forester
Exact EPA records	3	4
Model / option labels	2	4
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	2.4L 4-cyl SIDI, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI	2.5L 4-cyl SIDI, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI; Hybrid
Transmissions	Automatic (AV-S8)	Automatic (AV-S6), Automatic (AV-S8)
Fuel types	Regular	Regular
EPA classes	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Combined efficiency	23–27 MPG/MPGe	26–35 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$2400–2800 per year	$1850–2500 per year

Head to head

Subaru Outback vs. Subaru Forester: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Subaru Outback	Subaru Forester
Horsepower	180-260 hp	180 hp
Torque	178-277 lb-ft	178 lb-ft
Curb weight	3,741-3,982 lb	3,510-3,675 lb
Length	191.7 in	182.9-183.3 in
Wheelbase	108.1 in	104.9-105.1 in
Cargo volume	80.5 cu ft	69.1-74.4 cu ft
Towing capacity	n/a	3,500 lb
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	3 years	3 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

On peak horsepower, the Subaru Outback leads: 260 hp against 180 hp.
On peak torque, the Subaru Outback leads: 277 lb-ft against 178 lb-ft.
The Subaru Forester is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 3,510 lb against 3,741 lb.
On length, the Subaru Outback leads: 191.7 in against 183.3 in.
On wheelbase, the Subaru Outback leads: 108.1 in against 105.1 in.
On cargo volume, the Subaru Outback leads: 80.5 cu ft against 74.4 cu ft.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
Both list the same basic warranty: 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Subaru Outback and the Subaru Forester.

2027 Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback is an automotive nameplate used by the Japanese automaker Subaru for two different themed vehicles: a Legacy-derived station wagon, the Outback (1994–present, also sold as Legacy Outback in some markets), and an Impreza-derived off-road themed hatchback, the Outback Sport. Most versions of the Outback wagon and Outback Sport have had all-wheel drive as standard equipment.

Source: Subaru Outback (Wikipedia)

Safety. Based on the fifth generation Legacy, the fourth generation Subaru Outback was introduced in April 2009 at the New York Auto Show, the fifteenth anniversary of the first Outback's introduction at the same event. The Outback was introduced in Japan on May 20, 2009. The "Legacy" prefix has been dropped internationally.

Design. The seventh-generation Outback transitioned to a crossover SUV compared to the raised station wagon of its predecessor with a boxier shape, taller roofline, increased use of exterior body cladding, and its platform is not shared with a sedan car (with the discontinuation of the Legacy in 2025).

NHTSA rated the 2025 Subaru Outback overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (2 campaigns across the latest model years)

November 2023, Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch. Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail. Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
September 2023, Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft. Consequence: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 81 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Subaru Outback, most often about forward collision avoidance (20), unknown or other (18), lane departure (14).

2026 Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is a compact crossover SUV that has been manufactured by Subaru since 1997. The first generation was built on the platform of the Impreza in the style of a taller station wagon, a style that continued to the second generation, while the third-generation model onwards moved towards a crossover SUV design. A performance model was available for the second-generation Forester in Japan as the Forester STi.

Awards: Car and Driver's 5Best Trucks 2004, 2005, 2006 Winner of Wheels Gold star cars award for best compact SUV 2008 Winner of Motor Trend magazine's Sport/Utility of the Year Award in 2009 Best Small Utility in MotorWeek's 2009 Driver's Choice Awards Winner of Motor Trend Magazine's SUV of the Year Award in 2014 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ Subaru Forester Claims Top Honours as AJAC's 2017 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year Winner of New Zealand Motoring Writers Guild Car of the Year Award in 2018

Source: Subaru Forester (Wikipedia)

Safety. MY03-04 Models has a 4-Star ANCAP safety rating. MY05 Forester Model had a mid-life update, which increased its ANCAP safety rating to 5 Stars. In 2006, the turbocharged engine (powering the Forester XT) was awarded International Engine of the Year.

Engines. The fifth-generation Forester was presented on March 28, 2018, at the New York International Auto Show. Like contemporary Subaru models, the fifth-generation model moved the Forester to the Subaru Global Platform. The new platform is said to provide greater handling capability, agility, ride comfort and crash protection.

NHTSA rated the 2025 Subaru Forester overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (7 campaigns across the latest model years)

July 2026, Equipment:Other:Labels. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply… Consequence: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
May 2026, Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. The sliding glass panel of the power moonroof assembly may have been improperly bonded to the sliding frame, allowing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle. Consequence: A detached glass panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
December 2025, Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect and/or incorrectly oriented rear hatch support bracket which can detach without prior warning. Consequence: A rear hatch support bracket that detaches can allow the rear hatch to fall unexpectedly during use and increase the risk of injury.

Owners filed 93 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Subaru Forester, most often about unknown or other (19), fuel/propulsion system (13), visibility/wiper (13).

Comparison answer desk

12 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2027 Subaru Outback or the 2026 Subaru Forester?

Efficiency

The 2026 Subaru Forester lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (30.5 vs. the 2027 Subaru Outback's 25 MPG/MPGe).