2023 Subaru Outback VS 2023 Subaru Forester || Which One Should You Buy?

I’ve been test driving both the Outback (OBV) and the Forester (FV) for weeks now and these are my findings: - The OBV has a lot more leg room for driver and passenger especially, so better for folks with knee problems like me. Also, it has comfort seats that the FV doesn’t have. I have spine and disc issues and could feel the difference. - the OBV is a bit wider too, by an inch+ or so, so it feels more spacious than the FV. - Shorter vehicles tend to maneuver better in snow than longer ones. The FV is shorter. - if you had to sleep inside either vehicle, the Outback is a foot longer—it’d be more comfy. - The infotainment of the OBV is beautiful and millennials love buttons instead of knobs, so it has the potential to sell better in future years because all brands are moving toward larger infotainment systems and one gets used to clicking through the screens. I found it simple to navigate. - The way the OBV Carrie’s a cell phone is far superior than the FV. In the FV you can’t position an iPhone7+ well at all. It’s crazy how poorly designed this is. In the Forester. In the OBV, you can drop it into the cubby hole nicely and the Touring Trim has wireless when you slide it in regardless of size of the iPhone. It’s the little things that sometimes helps us make our decisions, isn’t it? - the FV is made in Japan, the OBV is assembled in Indiana Being an Industrial Engineer that’s well acquainted with Japanese LEAN & TQM, the Japanese are obsessed with perfection in their manufacturing and I’d much prefer a Japanese-made vehicle than an American one. But I’m still liking the OBV better in spite of this. However, it’s perhaps because the FV is Japanese made, that the iPhone holding issue is so poor and I feel cramped on the front seat although I’m only 5’ tall. The Japanese don’t use their devices as ubiquitously as us Americans do. And as far as sitting, for real, the OBV is way more comfortable for me. I wish though that the OBV had also been fully made in Japan because I consider them to be perfectionists. FYI-The VIN numbers starting with J means Japan. When a VIN starts with a number, it’s made here in the US. :) - Geico insurance is $10 more for the OBV Touring and Wilderness than respective FV models in Connecticut. - Property taxes (in states that have this), for OBV will be higher since it costs more. I need to call my city tomorrow to get those numbers. - The FV is awaiting a major redesign in 2025, some say that a hybrid engine is coming. No one really knows yet but that’s the rumor. The current OBV won’t go through a redesign as quickly. - Which one do I like better so far? The Outback! It’s more comfortable for me and I like it’s wagon style much better. It’s more quintessential a look. More classy, not as trendy as boxier SUVs are. But the additional comfort and spaciousness makes a huge difference for me. I’ve yet to work through the numbers and don’t know if I’ll be able to afford an Outback though. I also like both cars better than the RAV4 hybrid, which I’ve also been testing since I drive a Toyota Corolla Hatchback right now. Both Subarus feel less “truck-y” than the RAV4 hybrid. Plus, I don’t drive enough to need a hybrid. Hybrid batteries don’t like to sit. Hope my comments help someone out there! Cheers! 😊

I've owned 2 Outbacks and a Forester. I just ordered a Forester. For me it really comes down to how you use it. I'm a big guy over 6 feet tall. The Forester has unparalleled ease of access (getting in and out) and a cavernous rear cargo area. The Outback is a tiny bit sportier looking and little lower roof height with better access to overhead cargo options and built in cross rails. Almost everything else about them is identical.

I loved my 2019 Mustang GT. It was fun and fast. But I needed something practical and utilitarian so I sold the Stang and went with a 23 Outback Onyx XT and am nowhere regretting the purchase. I miss that hot car but I'm glad I can pull my kayak trailer, load up fishing gear, go off-roading to get to those outdoor spots, and haul a massive telescope for dark sky viewing. No regrets.

Bought an Outback in early 2021. So far, no problems. I tested both the Forrester and Outback and chose the Outback for its “pillowy soft” ride. Opted not to get the turbo and have never regretted it. The non-turbo has sufficient power. Got it just before car prices went through the roof. In fact, they discounted the car by $3000 USD, and gave me 0% financing. I doubt I could get that deal today.

I LOVE the infotainment system on my Forester and hate it on my wife’s Outback.

My wife owns a 23 Forester. I personally miss her 17 Outback. Less tech to break and much more comfort as a taller passenger. As a driver they are similar. I’m only 6’1” but find if I don’t tilt and slide the seat forward my arm hits the pillar(between doors) versus resting on the armrest ahead of me. As someone with leg/muscle aches, I require the seat set back a bit. And my knee rubs a lot on the hard plastic which connects the counsel to the dash, no matter where I sit. Appearance is the only thing I like more about the 2023 Forester. I haven’t had it in harsh conditions, but it appears it’s more dependent on technology/button settings to achieve any additional performance. Both cars have terrible radio/climate controls. Touchscreens do not belong in vehicles, isn’t being on our smartphones while driving illegal? I like the smaller Forester touchscreen versus the massive Outback’s, but then they added another annoying second screen above it. The nob controls on the forester are better than touch, but seriously lacking without a screen. Vehicles are becoming more distracting and complex to operate with time. It should be the other way around.

One point that should have been raised concerning the comparable alternatives automobiles is the potential for battery pack failure/replacement with hybrid CUV/SUVs. The cost of battery pack replacement will need to be included in the cost of ownership and may negate the savings for their better fuel economy. This may be a relevant consideration for owners that expect to keep their cars past 150K miles. Regardless, Shari does a great job of outlining the potential benefits (or lack thereof) relationship between the offered feature.

I've looked at the Forrester and Outback for a bunch of years now. Ultimately, I went for the Outback for it's advantage in cargo space behind the back seats. If you're willing to go with the base trim, you can get the Outback without that 11.6" tablet screen. Also, Subaru recently released a major update for the tablet screen that, on my 2022 Outback Premium at least, solved probably 90% of the issues I had with it. I've been very pleased with my Outback even with the problems with the tablet screen. Now that those appear to be corrected, I'm thrilled with it.

I went with an 2023 Outback. Why? It's the closest thing to a station wagon on the market with a price tag that didn't make me cry. I only really buy station wagons, so the Outback has been my go to since 2007.

Thank you for this information! I'm on only my second Subaru since 2000! I love my 2019 Subaru Forester and hope to have it for many years to come. I do love the look of those Mazdas though. Time will tell.

Great review Shari, Thank You ! In 21 I bought my wife our first Subaru ever. We’ve been driving Toyota’s for 40+ years. Bc we live in a very mountainous area of north central WA state USA, where we get 5-6 feet of snow every winter we had to have a vehicle that has a Great AWD or 4WD system. We looked at the Venza Limited, Rav Limited and Subaru Outback Limited. The rear visibility of both the Venza and Rav was horrible. If the Venza was available in Tan or Brown leather interior, we would have chosen it. The fit and finish and comfort of the Rav was Subpar, the engine and road noise was far worse than my 11 Rav 4WD Limited. My wife fell in love with her Outback. It’s Cinnamon Brown with Ivory interior. (Personally I would have chosen the Brilliant Bronze but it was her birthday gift from me to her). The ride quality, comfort, power train, visibility, safety and AWD are far Superior over the Toyota’s we tested. There was also a Crimson Red available, but she loved the Cinnamon more, so that’s what I bought her. I was so impressed with the quality and the AWD from her Outback that I started looking around for a Forester to replace my 11 Rav. My Forester didn’t have to be new, but it did have to be a low mileage Touring, (bc we HATE Gloomy Grey or Boring Black interior colors) and the Touring has Saddle Brown interior. Last December (2022), I found a 2019 Forester Touring, Certified Subaru with only 4,700 miles. It’s a beautiful Sephia Bronze with Brown interior. It’s so versatile, comfortable, quiet, responsive, handling, etc. My 84 year old dad who is wheelchair bound lives with us. In both our Outback and Forester we don’t have to fold down either or both sides of our rear seats to load his wheelchair. I had to in my 11 Rav and would of had to in the new Venza and Rav. We are so glad that we decided to buy our Subie’s instead of the Toyota’s. Our insurance agent said that to insure the Venza would have increased our yearly premiums by $1K for the Venza and $700 for the Rav. Our insurance increased about $40 more a year for the Outback over her 18 year old Camry. The insurance dropped by almost $300 a year for my Forester than my 11 Rav. The Outback and Forester have achieved the IIHS Safety Plus award. Another reason why it’s cheaper to insure a Subaru is bc they’re not stolen as much as Toyota’s are. When our Subie’s wear out, we’ll replace them with another Subaru. Thanks again for your Review !

Test drove both the 2023 outback and forester. Settled on the 2023 onyx xt. The outback is just way more comfortable and the 2.4 turbo you got the power when you want it. Average around 20mpg in the city and my first long trip 500 miles Averaged 33mpg mostly interstate miles.

It may depends where you live, but insurance cost for a CRV or a RAV4 are far much higher than for a forester/Outback.

That was a GREAT video. I couldn't agree more. I’m also very impressed that you can rattle off all those facts while driving just from memory!

Subie Forester Girl since 2000! Currently have a 2014 Forester Premium!❤

I looked at both cars, but ended up buying an outback. It just seemed like a lot more premium vehicle to me for a similar price. The forester had a larger moonroof, but I don't really care about that. I really like all the cargo space you get with the outback as well. The screen can be a bit laggy when you first start up the car, but it is very easy to get used to. I got the premium trim with the base engine.

Don't forget that both also have native voice recognition, which allows you to control fan speed, temperature, radio preset selection, much more. This is separate from your cell phone's voice recognition. Car Play adds yet more to it. I have no issues with the large touch screen. Hard buttons are provided for the basics I require. Anything else is via touch screen or voice command for me. It works quite well for me. I had an older Forrester and now have the Outback. Both were and are great..

I chose the 2024 Forester Touring. As a senior citizen I find the SUV form factor easier to get in and out of. And 2024 is the 5th and final year of this iteration of the Forester. Hopefully that translates into tried and true reliability.

8.7 inch ground clearance on the Outback, Forrester and Crosstrek (not including wilderness).

He ends on a pessimistic note, citing the competition hybrids. I have checked them out and the hybrid feature saves gas but adds roughly $6,000 usd. That comes out to taking about six years it make up for the average driver. The batteries decline in efficiency too.