2023 Subaru Forester vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Subaru Forester maintained a familiar aesthetic, reminiscent of its predecessors over the past two decades. Its Cascade Green Silica paint was a nod to the classic Forester look, often seen in green hues. The Forester's design was utilitarian, with a two-box silhouette and features like flared fenders and pincer-shaped lighting. The Touring trim stood out with its 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim, adding a touch of elegance. Inside, the Forester Touring offered Saddle Brown leather, metallic accents, and a mix of traditional buttons and knobs, making it user-friendly despite its busy appearance.

In contrast, the 2024 Subaru Outback retained its facelifted look from the previous year, with the Wilderness trim receiving a new front fascia and LED fog lights. The Autumn Green Metallic paint on the Touring XT model was striking, offering a unique appeal. The Outback's trims varied in their use of black and chrome fittings, with the Touring trim featuring tasteful chrome accents. Inside, the top-trim Outback impressed with Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, offering a luxurious feel. The Outback's interior was a step up in quality, with different trims offering various seating materials, from cloth to synthetic leather.

The 2023 Subaru Forester was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT mimicked a traditional automatic with eight programmed ratios, and the Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) system offered a Sport mode for enhanced responsiveness. Most trims, except the Base, featured an X-Mode off-road traction management system with various driving modes. The Forester Touring, despite its tamer setup, handled challenging weather conditions in Southern California with ease, showcasing its capability in rain and mud. The Forester's driving dynamics were commendable, with light steering, responsive brakes, and excellent suspension tuning, though the engine's performance was merely adequate.

The 2024 Subaru Outback, true to Subaru's style, featured a "Boxer" engine. The base engine was a 2.5-liter flat-four with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, while the XT trims, including the Wilderness, boasted a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine significantly improved the Outback's performance, managing the vehicle's weight better and increasing towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. The CVT effectively simulated eight gears, and the steering and braking were satisfactory. The Outback's ride comfort was notable, with a well-engineered suspension and substantial ground clearance, especially in the Wilderness trim.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, offering practical features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable seats, and heated elements in various trims. The Forester's visibility was excellent, thanks to its high seating position and large windows. However, the sunroof's lack of tinting could lead to excessive solar heating. The interior provided ample space, with easy entry and exit, though the rear seats could be more supportive. The Forester's cargo area was versatile, with a power liftgate and hidden storage, offering 26.9 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 69.1 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2024 Subaru Outback, despite its sleek design, did not compromise on interior space. It offered more headroom and legroom than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The Outback's cargo area measured 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place and 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Feature availability was a highlight, with dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and a power liftgate standard on most trims. The Outback's heated steering wheel was particularly effective, and the hands-free power liftgate and roof rails added to its practicality.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology might have seemed outdated at first glance, but it offered a user-friendly experience. The Base trim featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available. The Forester's interface was straightforward, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use knobs. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered a mix of old and new technology. The Touring trim was the only one with a CD player, while USB-C and USB-A ports were standard on most trims. The larger 11.6-inch infotainment screen was standard on all but the base trim, which retained a dual-7-inch setup. The Starlink platform included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless connectivity starting from the Premium trim. The climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with some hard buttons for essential functions. Wi-Fi capability and a Harman Kardon audio system were standard on most trims, enhancing the Outback's tech offerings.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight suite, with improved software and cameras for better performance. Models with blind-spot monitoring included Automatic Emergency Steering, and higher trims offered Rear Automatic Braking (RAB). The Touring trim had a DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, a step down from the previous year's Top Safety Pick+ award, but received five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Subaru Outback also earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, maintaining its high safety standards. The EyeSight suite was standard, with features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on the Onyx Edition. The Touring trim added a wide-angle camera, digital rearview mirror, and driver-attention monitor. The Outback received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, matching its predecessor's safety performance.