2024 Subaru Outback vs 2025 Subaru Forester

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its rugged yet refined appearance, with the Wilderness trim receiving a subtle update featuring a new front fascia and LED fog lights. The dark gray cladding contrasted beautifully with the Autumn Green Metallic color of the Touring XT model, offering a surprisingly appealing aesthetic. The Outback's various trims showcased different levels of black and chrome exterior fittings, with the Touring trim displaying the most chrome, which was tastefully executed. Wheel designs varied across trims, with the Wilderness trim featuring matte black 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Onyx Edition and higher trims sported larger 18-inch wheels with a machine finish. Inside, the top-trim Touring XT impressed with its Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, offering a luxurious feel uncommon for Subaru, which typically prioritizes capability over luxury.

In contrast, the 2025 Subaru Forester underwent a more noticeable visual transformation, focusing on practicality and capability. The exterior featured standard roof rails and 17-inch alloy wheels, with a smoother, more generic design that some might find lacking in distinct Subaru DNA. The Forester Sport trim introduced bronze accents, replacing the previous red, and sported 19-inch wheels. The interior maintained the Forester's spacious feel, with a new dark headliner designed to resist marks from pets and gear. The Forester Sport received StarTex upholstery with brown contrast stitching, while higher trims offered genuine leather seating. The cabin's new structural dash elements added a more intentional design, enhancing the overall interior experience.

The 2024 Subaru Outback was powered by a 2.5-liter flat-four Boxer engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, upgraded to a 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and Lineartronic CVT were standard across the lineup. The turbocharged engine in the Touring XT provided a more robust driving experience, with the CVT mimicking the feel of an eight-speed transmission. The Outback's suspension and reasonably sized wheels contributed to a comfortable ride, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, increasing to 9.2 inches in the Wilderness trim, which also featured all-terrain tires and an advanced X-Mode for off-road adventures.

The 2025 Subaru Forester retained its 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, with a slight increase in horsepower over the previous model. The Symmetrical AWD and Lineartronic CVT were standard, with the X-Mode system available from the Premium trim level. The Forester Sport and higher trims featured a dual-function X-Mode, enhancing stability and traction on challenging terrain. The Forester's performance was stable and confident on various surfaces, including snow and mud, with seamless X-Mode activation. The Forester's fuel economy was rated at 26 mpg city, 33 highway, and 29 combined, with a slight decrease for Sport and Touring trims. A hybrid version was anticipated but not yet available.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space despite its sleek design. It provided more front-row headroom than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, with ample legroom in both front and rear seats. The cargo area measured 32.6 cubic feet with seats up and 75.6 cubic feet with seats folded, surpassing the RAV4 in total cargo volume. The Outback featured dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat from the Premium trim, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and power moonroof available on higher trims. The hands-free power liftgate and retractable roof rails added convenience.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced a hands-free power liftgate, powered on the Sport trim and foot-activated on Limited. The cargo space increased slightly to 29.6 cubic feet with seats up and 74.4 cubic feet with seats folded. The Forester's roomy second row contributed to its competitive cargo space, though it fell short compared to some rivals. The interior featured a dark headliner and power-adjustable seats, with heated and ventilated options available on higher trims. The Forester Touring added driver’s seat memory and heated rear seats, enhancing comfort and convenience.

The 2024 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen on all but the base trim, which retained dual 7-inch screens. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from the Premium trim, with USB-C and USB-A ports available. The Starlink multimedia platform offered standard connectivity features, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system available on most trims. The climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with hard buttons for essential functions.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced the 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment system on all but the base trim, featuring wireless smartphone integration. The base model retained dual 7-inch screens with wired connectivity. Premium trims and above included USB-A and USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Touring trim added a voice-activated navigation system and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, with additional driver-assistance features available in packages for Sport and Limited trims. The Starlink connected services suite offered new capabilities, including Valet Mode and Remote Vehicle Configuration.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It featured the EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. Reverse automatic braking became standard on the Onyx trim, with additional safety features like a wide-angle camera and driver-attention monitor available on the Touring trim.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced Emergency Stop Assist, available on Touring trims with the driver distraction-mitigation system. The EyeSight suite was standard, with enhancements for 2025, including a wider field of view and an electric brake booster. The Forester was too new for crash-test ratings, but the 2024 model received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, indicating high safety expectations for the new model.