SIBLING RIVALS -- 2025 Subaru Forester vs. Subaru Outback: Comparison

Are you looking to buy a Subaru Outback, Forester or any new vehicle? Go to carconfections.com/new-car-quotes/ to get the BEST price and access to invoice pricing information!

On 3rd Outback. 2 over 200,000 miles with no issues 21 with almost 100k already. I feel the outback rides better and is quieter. Plus I like the longer cargo area. Average over 33mpg. Always almost 600 miles to a tank is awesome for traveling.

One reason not to buy any of Subaru's current model, based on my experience as an owner of a 2024 Outback and 2019 Forester, is the 12-inch touch screen that controls almost everything. Touch screens rely entirely on sight, making it nearly impossible to build muscle memory like with physical controls. They're often slow and require taking eyes off the road, increasing the risk of accidents. Using them often requires taking your eyes off the road or constantly shifting your focus between the screen and the road Carmakers are willingly ignoring the fact that things can go south in a blink of an eye. Tech is good but it has to be implemented in such a way that controls are accessible and purpose fit. I will reiterate: touch screens lack tactile feedback and rely entirely on sight and you either have to constantly shift focus between the road and the screen or stare at the screen which is clearly not fit for purpose nor accessible. Also the position is seated far below the driver's line of sight which increases the driver's response time when operating the touch screen. In a UI/UX perspective, Subaru and automakers who do the same thing will earn a failing grade. More on this is how bad the implementation of AC controls are and I can summarize it like this: cramped and buried. Cramped on a tiny portion of the screen and buried the remaining controls under menus. Remember, things can go south in a blink of an eye. If you chose a trim that has the driver monitoring system, it will scream at you for fumbling on the screen which is them sort of penalizing you for how bad they have implemented things.

Bring the Turbo XT engine back to Forrester!

I've always liked the Outback and with the Forester shooting up in price this latest redesign being almost identical to the Outback in price, I'd easily go Outback.

I would have loved a comparison between FULLY loaded Outback and Forester... I really enjoy and appreciate your content.

Great comparison!We were headed towards the 2025 Forester, but after test-driving a 2024 Outback XT, we changed our minds!

I bought a slightly used 2023 Subaru Outback touring XT 3 months ago. Three big things that I wanted that the Forester didn't have, was the updated infotainment with wireless play, the turbo and ventilated seats. The new Forester takes care of two of those things, which is why I believe we will be trading in my wife's old Nissan Rogue SUV for the new Forester next year, possibly a hybrid model.

You two do a great job on these comparison videos-showing what you’re talking about and the point system really help clarify the differences. Keep them coming!!

Wife had a 2018 Forrester touring reserved her a 2024 Forrester. While waiting for the Forrester I ended up with a 2024 white outback touring 2 weeks later we canceled the Forrester and she got a 2024 outback limited....in white

I like the fog lights on the Outback better than the Forester.

The new 2025 FORESTER looks like a FORD and not a SUBARU. Very sad.

The rear seat windows on the Outback roll down all the way. The rear seat windows on the Forester only go down ⅔ of the way.

I followed the link to your web page, but could not find how to get invoice pricing. Can you help?

Does blind spot system beep on the new Forester to alert the driver?? Honda, mazda, hyundai, kia, chevy offer the audible beep.

Going to the dealer tomorrow for my first Subaru.. I have a Scion FRS and love it. Tomorrow i'll either drive out with an Outback or an Ascent! Probably an outback though!

My wife hates wagons, that’s ironic since she is from South Africa and wagons are a big seller, so I need to try and sell her on the outback as my next car. Should be fun.

Love your car video 📹 😍

Funny story, in Japan, the Outback offers a digital guage cluster, but again, not available for US models. F However I am still going for an outback being the fact that I own a 2020 outback

Was thinking of getting a forester 2025 but when I saw it at the dealership, I went for the outback 2024 instead.