Subaru Forester vs Subaru Outback

The Forester is one of Subaru's top sellers and one of the more popular compact crossovers in its segment as well, so it's hard to blame the automaker for not wanting to mess with a working formula. They seem to have focused more on refining than redoing it. In fact, the most obvious updates are to the vehicle's looks, which many would argue are inconsequential-but that's not a criticism.

Verdict: The 2025 Subaru Forester improves on the outgoing version with a better-equipped base model, more advanced tech and safety offerings, and a blessedly quieter cabin. If it's not the most beautiful crossover we've ever seen, well, at least that's authentic to the Forester brand.

It dates back to the days of the raised station wagon, before a crossover was a must-have—or even a thing. It’s now in its sixth generation, and it was just refreshed last year, but while others have ballooned into mini-SUVs, the Outback has clung steadfastly to the station wagon shape. The 2024 Outback comes in Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims, further differentiated by powertrain. Updates for this year include feature-enriched trim levels and trim-specific aesthetic tweaks.

Verdict: Not everyone needs or wants a massive vehicle. With its higher ride height and excellent visibility, the Outback delivers the peace of mind many seek from an SUV in a smaller and more practical package. The broad trim spectrum means you can get a luxury experience at a lower price point or a no-nonsense version much cheaper.