Forester or Outback?

[Sue-Bob]

Hello all, I sadly sold my first Subaru about one year ago.

I bought it when I moved back to Alaska and met my wife in college, I needed a vehicle and traded my laptop for this old all original 232,000 mile Loyal. We sold it with 276,000 miles and still running strong.

Anyways I miss my Subaru and both me and my wife are talking about buying a new one or newer one by summers end, only issue is were undecided about what one we really want.

We both like the Outback an the Forester, she likes sitting up higher and our only concern really is this. She is 4'11 and I am 5'11.

Our current vehicle doesn't fit her well and this is going to be the biggest deciding factor and was hoping some one has some experience in this situation.

I think we are leaning on the O/back more though the Forest is a nice suv.

Any input or thoughts on this comparison would be helpful.

Thanks - Dave

[dalv]

Hey Dave,

New member here that just went thru the same quandary last Saturday while new car shopping. We tried the Rav4, OB, Forester, and Chevy Equinox. My wife was set on the Equinox but after comparison decided the Subaru build quality was much better that the others.
While testing the Subies - we drove a premium OB first and her only complaint was sitting lower that the Trailblazer she has driven for the last 10 yrs. Tried the Forester and she did like the visibility better and sitting height but I noticed immediately the much shorter leg room on the passenger side front seat. I am only 5'7" and felt cramped. Tried to move the seat back but was surprised it was already all the way back. So that made the decision simple for us as we were very impressed with the room in the OB - both front and back seat areas as well as cargo space is bigger.
Then the only decision was Premium or Ltd - see my other post in the OB section.
Either way can't go wrong as they are both great riding cars - OB a little smoother due to longer wheelbase but Forester is nice too.
We are going with the 4 cyl for the mileage, did notice a little more pep in the Forester as it is 300# +/- lighter but the OB has plenty of power for our needs.
Try 'em both and enjoy!!

[upflying]

I drove both before choosing OB. OB is quieter, smoother. Forester a bit nosier, sportier and firmer riding. I like the FB engine in the Forester but the 4 speed EAT is dated. CVT is state of the art in the OB.
Think of the OB as the Buick edition of the Forester.

[Needsnow]

I have yet to hear any friends that own an Outback say, gosh I wish I would have purhcased a Forester. I have heard.....I should have purhcased an Outback.

[vr4Legacy]

Both my parents have Foresters. My dad has the new engine in his. I have driven both, teh 4EAT is definitely the nail in the coffin IMO. My dad drives alot daily (he's a real estate appraiser), I tried to talk him into an OB when he was shopping, but he wanted the smaller forester for mileage. He averages in the lowe 20's, I think he would have done better with a CVT OB. That being said, my mom came from a 2nd gen Legacy wagon, and did not like a long vehicle, which is why she chose the forester.

Also if you look at the pricing, they aren't too far apart, and IMO you get alot more car for the price in an OB, and you won't take a hit in MPG for the size. Also a 3.6 is available in the OB (87 octane), a turbo in the forester (premium fuel), if you prefer more power.

[gangstead]

I went through this as well when I ended up purchasing the OB last month. To me the wagon/SUV distinction is mostly semantics. The OB is pretty much like any other small cross over SUV if you compare all the specs. The Forester and the FB are within an inch or two in almost every measurement internal and external with the exception being length. The OB is about 9 inches longer which translates to a few more cubic feet of cargo space and +2 feet to turning circle.

I test drove a manual OB and manual Forester and even though they have the same HP engine the Forester seemed a lot more sluggish. Must be the gearing since OB is heavier. If you are going auto the CVT in the OB wins. More MPG even though car is bigger and heavier.

I also found the build quality to be higher in the OB. It's little things like the seat recline / lean forward latches operated better and other little interior things felt nicer in the OB.

OB has a couple nice but unnecessary features: pointless electronic parking brake and the manual OB indicates on the dash what gear you are in - I didn't know that was even possible on manuals.

All these advantages of the OB translate to a couple thousand dollars more in selling price. I think it's worth it, but the OB wouldn't be worth ten thousand dollars more. The base Forester is really stripped down if money is your bottom line, but a 2.5X premium and a 2.5i premium are only $1500 apart, about 6% the price of either car.

[sleze]

When I originally entered the dealership, I was intent on looking at the Forrester based on Consumer Reports glowing review of it. While I was waiting for a salesman, I looked it over in the showroom where it was next to an OB. I immediately decided on the OB because the trim, polish and feel of the Forrester just felt cheap compared to the OB. It was the same reason I went with a Passat TDI Wagon over the Jetta TDI Sportwagon for my last car. It just felt more solid.

[waterboy]

I don’t know much about the Forester options. I drove one as part of the Outback selection process, but it was not a good fit for our needs.

The Outback I just purchased, 2.5 Limited, has the powered driver’s seat that moves up/down and tilts. When combined with the extend and tilt capability of the steering wheel, seems like it would be a good solution for the 12" difference in height between you and your wife. The only downside is you don’t get to have repeatable settings for your two preferences.

Otherwise- we are very happy withe 2.5 It has all the room we need both in the seats and the cargo area.

[ob2011]

My understanding is that the Forester is based on the Impreza and the Outback is based on the Legacy. That decided it right there.

[SenecaOutback]

Test drive the Forester first and then a Outback,You'll buy the Outback unless it's a $$ decision......