By Robert Emslie
Companies offering multiple options in the same category confuses me. I mean, take Levi’s as an example: they have 501-style jeans, why on Earth do they need anything else?
When it comes to two cars from the same brand seemingly taking up the same spot at the family table I get even more flummoxed, and that’s the case with the other brother of the same mother that is the Subaru Outback and Subaru Forester. I mean, they’re almost exactly the same, and that raises the question, why would you buy one over the other?
Okay Subaru fans (Subaru is numero uno in customer loyalty, so I know you’re out there) give us all an explanation as to why you would choose an Outback over a Forester, or vice versa.
Image: PlanetSubaru
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Jeff Glucker
Outback is the better vehicle.
But…why? I’d take the Forester due to the slightly bigger greenhouse.
Only bigger in perception – in actuality the Outback has .8 inches more front headroom and an inch and a half more rear headroom and an inch more shoulder room.
I knew nothing about either one, so I did the comparisons on their web site (and a really good site it is, bravo Subaru). Looks like the only real differences are that the Outback costs $1200 more, and for that you get a bigger gas tank, 1 mpg better rating, and a slightly bigger rig. So yeah, why does Subie still make a Forester?
That’s not much! But the rear most windows appear to be much biggr, offering a better view out?
In Norway, the Outback 2.0D starts at 62000$, the Forester 2.0D at 47500$ (price list; base + tax = full price). That’s probably why I see significantly more Foresters around here…
It rides better. You sit a little lower and you feel like more of a rally driver. The interior is nicer. There a lot more rear seat space and legroom. The trunk is bigger. I reviewed the new Outback and found significantly improved over the previous model:
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2015/02/review-2015-subaru-outback-2-5i-premium/
Since they rounded off the Forester, it’s hard to tell them apart.
Hey…Planet Subaru in Hanovah, Massachusetts! Probably the best Subaru dealer in the nation. That’s where my dad bought his 2007 B9 Tribeca. Still has it with over 90,000 miles. I have been telling him to live a little and get the Forester XT (turbo). Even with the CVT, it is still somewhat fun.
Forester
http://onlytruecars.com/data_images/gallery/02/subaru-forester-xt/subaru-forester-xt-11.jpg
Outback; only because it’s on a mid size platform, not a stretched compact (impreza) platform.
Forester. Because turbo
When the Forester came out it was much closer to its Impreza roots and the Outback was far bigger and more refined. Not sure now. However, the Forester used to be the only small SUV you could get with a manual transmission.
On one hand, the Outback speaks to me for inexplicable reasons, and it’s still available with a stick up here. On the other hand, the Forester also has the three pedal option, and feels airier, especially with the panoramic roof. I like the idea of the turbo, but not with a mandatory automatic.
Ultimately, I probably skew Outback, just because it still puts up the facade of being a car, just one that spent a few bucks at MECC.
I like the Forester. I can get a manual with lots of features including the panorama sunroof and all-weather package. Between the two vehicles, the Forester has a shorter turning radius, the body is 10″ shorter and 2″ narrower, and slightly higher. These are all good things when we are on tighter, less maintained National Forest roads. We get almost 30 mpg on the highway so the fuel tank will go longer without stopping than I can. They are both good choices, but the Forester meets our needs better. It’s not a road demon, but the acceleration is fine for the purpose and it handles well. I have other choices in the garage when I want to go faster. We have a 2004 with 200K and a 2010 with 120K. They have served us faithfully. We will soon be adding a 2016.
We have a 2010 with 140k. Replaced an 01.The bigassed sunroof sealed the deal.
Downsides: Auto trans is horribly numb. Only 4 speeds Subaru? Really? Engine is gutless from 2000 to 3500 rpm. Just flat as a board. Too much wind noise at the cowl.
Wouldn’t buy a new Forester as Mutha refuses to drive a standard any motr and I am not going to drive a car with a freakin cvt.
Forester for two ironclad reasons:
1. It’s nicknamed Fozz.
2. I can say, “It’s basically a WRX.”
Forester.
It’s designed from scratch to perform a specific task set (light offroading while carrying a weekend’s worth of equipment), whereas the Outback is a reworked version of a wagon version of a vehicle designed originally to do something else entirely (go very quickly in suboptimal road conditions). It’s a very good conversion but it’s a conversion nonetheless.
That being said, 2007 was the last year for desirable Subarus as far as I’m concerned.
501? Seriously? I’d love to hear the anti-vaxxer level logic behind your denial that the zipper equipped 505 isn’t superior. I mean we’re all post middle age men who have to pee constantly, right?
Zippers are dangerous, man! 501s are much more wedding-tackle friendly.
I have an 02 Outback, I’ll have the Honda.
I have an 02 Outback, I’ll have the Honda..
Legacy GT.