2021 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Subaru Outback
Overview | |
MSRP$24,795 | MSRP$26,795 |
Average price$25,913 | Average price$26,888 |
Listings2748 | Listings2098 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.5 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.8 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
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2021 Subaru Forester Reviews SummaryThe Subaru Forester was one of the original compact crossover SUVs. Along with the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4, it helped introduce a vehicular genre that is now displacing traditional sedans from American driveways. That means the Forester has more competition than ever. What was once a small market segment has swelled with the addition of compact SUVs like the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Nissan Rogue, Volkswagen Tiguan, and the modern version of the Jeep Cherokee. To keep pace with the competition, the Forester has packed on technology—and pounds. While the first-generation Forester (affectionately nicknamed “toaster” by fans because of its boxy shape) was genuinely compact, the current version has the footprint of a midsize SUV from two decades ago. This version was introduced for the 2019 model year, so it doesn’t change much for 2021. The only news is the addition of three standard safety features—steering-responsive LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a rear seatbelt reminder—standard fog lights and keyless access with push-button start for the Premium trim level, and additional equipment reshuffling on other trim levels. The 2021 Subaru Forester is available in five trim levels—Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring—all with standard all-wheel drive (AWD). Our test car was the mid-range Sport model. | |
2021 Subaru Outback Reviews SummaryThe Outback, like any Subaru, is an old soul in a young person’s body. It embraces a rosier past of automotive history, back when cars were just cars and drivers were concerned only with driving. It’s conservative, unhip to fashion, and slow. Yet the 2021 Outback—a raised, all-wheel drive (AWD) station wagon like the first 1995 model—has all of today’s essentials and extra technology. Subaru just skips the fripperies and focuses on what people really need: Generous space, go-anywhere capability, reliability, low cost, high resale, and safety. It’s not all that innovative or stylish, but a Subaru Outback tackles the everyday banalities of life as few other cars can. | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.5L 182 hp H4 | Engine2.5L 182 hp H4 |
Drive TrainAWD | Drive TrainAWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower182 hp @ 5800 rpm | Horsepower182 hp @ 5800 rpm |
MPG City26 | MPG City26 |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway33 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.5L 182 hp H4 | Engine Name2.5L 182 hp H4 |
Torque178 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | Torque178 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
Horsepower182 hp @ 5800 rpm | Horsepower182 hp @ 5800 rpm |
DrivetrainAWD | DrivetrainAWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City26 | MPG City26 |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway33 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space31.1 cu ft | Cargo Space32.5 cu ft |
Curb Weight3453 lbs | Curb Weight3634 lbs |
Height67.5 in | Height66.1 in |
Length182.1 in | Length191.3 in |
Width80.9 in | Width82.0 in |
Wheelbase105.1 in | Wheelbase108.1 in |
Maximum Payload1438 lbs | Maximum Payload1071 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity1500 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity2700 lbs |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $24,795 | $26,795 |
Average price | $25,913 | $26,888 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.5 | 4.8 |
Expert reviews | 7.5 out of 10Read full review | 7.8 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | The Subaru Forester was one of the original compact crossover SUVs. Along with the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4, it helped introduce a vehicular genre that is now displacing traditional sedans from American driveways. That means the Forester has more competition than ever. What was once a small market segment has swelled with the addition of compact SUVs like the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Nissan Rogue, Volkswagen Tiguan, and the modern version of the Jeep Cherokee. To keep pace with the competition, the Forester has packed on technology—and pounds. While the first-generation Forester (affectionately nicknamed “toaster” by fans because of its boxy shape) was genuinely compact, the current version has the footprint of a midsize SUV from two decades ago. This version was introduced for the 2019 model year, so it doesn’t change much for 2021. The only news is the addition of three standard safety features—steering-responsive LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a rear seatbelt reminder—standard fog lights and keyless access with push-button start for the Premium trim level, and additional equipment reshuffling on other trim levels. The 2021 Subaru Forester is available in five trim levels—Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring—all with standard all-wheel drive (AWD). Our test car was the mid-range Sport model. | The Outback, like any Subaru, is an old soul in a young person’s body. It embraces a rosier past of automotive history, back when cars were just cars and drivers were concerned only with driving. It’s conservative, unhip to fashion, and slow. Yet the 2021 Outback—a raised, all-wheel drive (AWD) station wagon like the first 1995 model—has all of today’s essentials and extra technology. Subaru just skips the fripperies and focuses on what people really need: Generous space, go-anywhere capability, reliability, low cost, high resale, and safety. It’s not all that innovative or stylish, but a Subaru Outback tackles the everyday banalities of life as few other cars can. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.5L 182 hp H4 | 2.5L 182 hp H4 |
Drive Train | AWD | AWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 182 hp @ 5800 rpm | 182 hp @ 5800 rpm |
MPG City | 26 | 26 |
MPG Highway | 33 | 33 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.5L 182 hp H4 | 2.5L 182 hp H4 |
Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | 178 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
Horsepower | 182 hp @ 5800 rpm | 182 hp @ 5800 rpm |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 26 | 26 |
MPG Highway | 33 | 33 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 31.1 cu ft | 32.5 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3453 lbs | 3634 lbs |
Height | 67.5 in | 66.1 in |
Length | 182.1 in | 191.3 in |
Width | 80.9 in | 82.0 in |
Wheelbase | 105.1 in | 108.1 in |
Maximum Payload | 1438 lbs | 1071 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 1500 lbs | 2700 lbs |
By: CarGurus + AI
This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.