2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its redesign in 2019, retained a somewhat dated appearance, largely carrying over from its previous generation. The most noticeable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru seemed to follow the adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," maintaining the boxy, upright shape that appealed to many SUV shoppers. The Base trim looked plain with its 17-inch steel wheels, but the Forester's clean and unpretentious look stood out among compact crossovers. The Sport model added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a significant visual impact, especially with a complementary paint color like Dark Blue Pearl.

Underneath, the Forester shared the Subaru Global Platform with other models like the Impreza, Crosstrek, Legacy, and Outback. This platform provided a rugged SUV feel while maintaining shared underpinnings with sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons. The interior was practical, with materials designed to withstand years of use. The Sport trim added orange accents and cross-stitching, while higher trims offered leather upholstery and an All-Weather Package with heated seats and mirrors. The Forester's interior was functional, with large knobs for audio and climate control, though the steering wheel's numerous buttons could be confusing.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for 2020, maintained a familiar and comfortable feel, reminiscent of older Subaru models. The analog gauges, steering wheel design, and seat forms were similar to previous versions. However, the Outback's interior was fresher than the smaller Crosstrek, especially if you skipped the base trim with its dual 7-inch touchscreens. The Premium and higher trims featured an 11.6-inch portrait display, which was bright, sharp, and integrated with polished black plastic and chrome trim. The quality of materials was evident, with substantial window switches, dash padding, and surface materials. The Limited and Touring trims offered two-tone leather upholstery, while the Onyx Edition XT featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery with lime green stitching.

Externally, the Outback had gray cladding on its wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, providing protection from scratches. The styling was smooth and plain, with chrome flourishes and bracket-shaped LED running lights. The 2021 model introduced a new brown paint option and standard adaptive LED headlights. The Outback's standout feature was its lifted wagon design, offering a great alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs. This design provided a balance of stability and capability, making the Outback a versatile choice for various driving conditions.

The 2021 Subaru Forester was equipped with a single powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This engine had a boxer configuration, providing a lower center of gravity. The Forester had a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds and came with standard Trailer Stability Assist. While the power felt adequate for most situations, it lacked the thrust needed for highway merging or overtaking, and wind noise was noticeable at higher speeds.

The Forester's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a softly sprung ride that soaked up bumps but had poor body control. There was significant body roll in corners and bounce on uneven pavement, making the ride less comfortable. All-wheel drive (AWD) was standard, with a sophisticated drivetrain featuring X-Mode for different surfaces. Sport models had Dual X-Mode with "Snow/Dirt" and "Snow/Mud" modes. Higher trims included hill-descent control and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, enhancing off-road capability. However, for serious off-roading, options like the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk or Ford Bronco Sport were better choices.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine was a 2.5-liter flat-four, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. This engine struggled to move the Outback's weight, especially when loaded with passengers and cargo, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT models offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, providing a significant improvement in power and refinement. The turbo engine was quieter, smoother, and more capable of keeping up with traffic.

The Outback's handling was designed for comfort, with long-travel springs and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it suitable for rough roads and off-road conditions. Subaru's electronically-variable AWD system was proactive, driving all four wheels and reacting quickly to varying torque needs. X-Mode optimized the vehicle's performance for tougher conditions, with additional driving modes on the Onyx Edition XT. The Outback's off-road capability was impressive, making it more proficient than many crossovers and SUVs.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a roomy feel, though it could let in a lot of sunlight. The Forester had 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded, offering more space than some competitors. However, it lacked a sliding second-row bench and had a smaller phone-storage cubby. A power liftgate was available on higher trims, and the interior featured large knobs for audio and climate control, though the steering wheel's numerous buttons could be confusing.

The 2021 Subaru Outback had impressive ground clearance, allowing it to go places larger vehicles could. It offered 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, with ample headroom and legroom in all seating positions. Outward visibility was excellent, and storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front center console. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The Outback's best feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, providing convenient and cost-effective storage solutions.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and front-row USB ports. Higher trims added an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio, navigation, and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls, but the screen was slow to boot up. Additional screens displayed secondary information, though the setup seemed overly complex.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system had outdated graphics and typefaces, but it included modern tech like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The single large screen on higher trims was more cohesive and useful than the dual-screen setup on the base model. Subaru EyeSight was standard, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on cameras, which could be less effective in certain conditions compared to systems that also use radar.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. The Forester also featured a driver-monitoring system to ensure driver attentiveness.

The 2021 Subaru Outback had a strong and stiff chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. It earned a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Outback offered additional driver assists on higher trims, including blind-spot monitoring, rear emergency braking, and a driver-attention monitor. Subaru EyeSight was standard, providing adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking.