2021 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Subaru Outback

2021 Subaru Forester

#3 in Mid-Size SUVs

2021 Subaru Outback

#8 in Crossover SUVs

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CVT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Forester CVT	26	33	$23,375	$24,795
Forester Limited CVT	26	33	$29,337	$31,395
Forester Premium CVT	26	33	$26,120	$27,795
Forester Sport CVT	26	33	$27,591	$29,395
Forester Touring CVT	26	33	$32,541	$34,895

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CVT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Outback CVT	26	33	$25,187	$26,795
Outback Limited CVT	26	33	$31,451	$33,595
Outback Limited XT CVT	23	30	$35,451	$37,995
Outback Onyx Edition XT CVT	23	30	$32,875	$35,145
Outback Premium CVT	26	33	$27,318	$29,045
Outback Touring CVT	26	33	$35,034	$37,495
Outback Touring XT CVT	23	30	$37,240	$39,945

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$23,375

$25,187

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$24,795

$26,795

Monthly Payment Estimate

$413 / month

$447 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.8

Read Our Full Review

6.8

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

A recent Best Car To Buy winner, the 2021 Subaru Forester notches big wins in utility and safety as one of our most recommended crossover SUVs.

The 2021 Subaru Outback hangs on to its remarkably rugged stance as it grows more refined than ever.

TCC Likes

Remarkable value
Remarkable efficiency
Remarkable space

Capable as ever
Big 11.6-inch touchscreen
A roomy interior

TCC Dislikes

Not especially powerful
Looks haven’t changed much
It’s not free...

Careful styling
Moderate acceleration from base engine
Needs more small-item storage

Fuel Economy

City

26 mpg

Highway

33 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Small SUV 4WD

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Volume (ft³)

111.9

109

Front Hip Room (in)

54.1

55.5

Second Leg Room (in)

39.4

39.5

Front Head Room (in)

41.2

40.1

Passenger Capacity

Second Hip Room (in)

53.6

54.8

Front Shoulder Room (in)

58.2

58.1

Second Head Room (in)

39.6

39.1

Second Shoulder Room (in)

57.2

57.4

Front Leg Room (in)

43.3

42.8

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.8

62.8

Wheelbase (in)

105.1

108.1

Liftover Height (in)

28.4

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

71.5

Track Width, Front (in)

61.6

61.8

Min Ground Clearance (in)

8.7

Length, Overall (in)

182.1

191.3

Height, Overall (in)

67.5

66.4

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

31.1

32.5

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

43.3

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

70.3

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

31.1

32.5

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

51.2

45.2

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

34.8

32.1

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

74.3

75.7

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

35.7

Brakes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.2

11.8

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.6

12.4

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

16.6

18.5

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.4

36.1

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P225/60HR17

P225/65HR17

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P225/60HR17

P225/65HR17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1500

2700

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1500

2700

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)

1500

2700

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

150

270

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

150

270

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3449

3635

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

176 @ 4400

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.5 L/152

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

182 @ 5800

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded H-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.70

3.90

Trans Type

Drivetrain

All Wheel

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.69

4.38

Trans Order Code

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.56

0.67

Trans Description Cont.

CVT w/OD

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.60 - 0.75

4.07 - 0.84

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.56

Summary

Vehicle Name

Subaru Forester

Subaru Outback

Body Style

Sport Utility

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Double Wishbone

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

6.1

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

2021 Subaru Forester

2021 Forester selection looks great
Lease: From $229 for 36 months
Rebates: No factory rebate; dealer discounting possible
Finance: From 0% APR for 48 months

Get Your Price

2021 Subaru Outback

2021 Outback kept in good supply
Lease: From $249 for 36 months
Rebates: None, shop dealers for best pricing
Finance: From 0% APR for 63 months

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