2025 Subaru Forester vs Outback Comparison / Awkward Timing!

Due to an increase in price, the Subaru Forester no longer holds the title has the bargain 2-row family suv in the brand's lineup. So it's time to see if it can justify its cost next to the 2025 Subaru Outback.

Other key competitors to consider would be the Honda CR-V and Passport, Mazda CX-5 and CX-50, Toyota RAV4, Venza and Crown Signia, Nissan Rogue and Murano and a whole host of others.

Thank you, Royal on the Eastside, for letting me test drive the Forester and Outback for today's video!

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00:00 The Basics & Pricing
02:21 Cargo
03:10 Forester Interior
05:42 Outback Interior
06:30 Forester Drive
09:34 Outback Drive
13:42 Reliability
15:04 Final Thoughts

[Realistick]

00:59 Correction: I flipped the Outback and Forester specifications for height and width (my apologies)!

[leechap]

Very helpful! I am taking delivery of a new Forester this week. I am glad you find the comparison close. I went for the Forester because of the better vision and the shorter wheelbase.

[jugglematt]

I went down the rabbit hole of researching and buying a new car 2 years back i originally went for a twin cab truck ( we call them utes in Australia) but after a couple of weeks i realized that I had made a huge mistake. I took the hit sold the ute and started again.
I then stumbled upon the subaru outback and it was like i had come home . The smooth ride quality made it a pleasure to drive, it just soaks up the bumps on our terrible country roads . , the seating felt like it was made for my 6ft5in frame . . 2 years on i still love my outback. It does everything i need it to .

[SilentSavage]

Wow! Finally a car reviewer that gives actual length of the cargo space! I hope you do this for all your reviews.

[rl]

I prefer the Outback over the new Forester. The Outback is more comfortable, and rides better, than the Forester. As you implied, the Forester looks to be an offspring of the Ford Explorer.

[vlj]

"We all have our weak points, but usually we also have the self-awareness to try to conceal them. That's the reason this channel is about cars, and not escaping social anxiety, or dancing." - Tyler Soprano, having apparently resumed his sessions with Dr. Melfi.

[danaringquist]

Thank you for a mature explanation and not acting like a idiot like I’ve seen on other channels

[mickeybrumfield]

The Forester is more at ease off-road, and the Outback is a more relaxing experience on the highway.

[chrish]

This channel is great for comprehensive and well-balanced reviews 👍.

[Jefferson]

Great video! Very well polished and informative. Also, very helpful for us tall folks that you're 6'3". Kudos.

[AP-ccuw]

The next generation Outback apparently is ditching the wagon form factor and moving to more of a boxy SUV package. It resembles the new Landcruiser and Defender according to those who have seen it. This might be the generation of Outback to get for those who really want the wagon.

[jzwqa]

At some points in your video it wasn't clear which car you were talking about ... esp when you referred to "this" or "it". Great vid regardless

[justdifficult]

This is the best looking Forester design since pre-2009. I'm glad they made it more boxy and less frumpy and finally ditched the lobster claw taillights. Only gripe with the design is the bumper and that left side port covering where a dual exhaust should have always teasing us with a non-existent turbo. :)

[nyrocks]

The 2.5 is a snoozer no-go - literally - for me. The Legacy XT (which we have) and Outback XT can get out of their own way, pass at speed, and merge onto highways with ease. It's a shame the Forester doesn't have that option. Also, while I would have preferred a smaller screen and more physical buttons in our XT, we find it to be fine, certainly not the big negative a lot of people talk about. To each their own

[H.pylori]

Thanks for showing the length of the cargo area, most reviewers only mention cubic feet. I plan to sleep in mine and if the length is 73 inches in the Forester then my 5'9" should fit.

[allynwadleigh]

I am well over six foot tall and found the outback headroom inadequate I had to duck just to get in! Whereas the forester had plenty of room to inter the front cabin area !

[Lukas-cvkb]

Mein Outback Limited kommt morgen an. Ich habe alles, was wichtig ist, geladen und bin bequem überall hingefahren, wo ich hin musste. Die perfekte Wahl für eine aktive Familie.

[ElCid_]

Thanks. I'm interested to see the hybrids when they arrive.

[skimanfree]

Both should have more physical buttons. Can you imagine seniors on the highway trying to adjust the heat or AC on these screens? Tickets for looking at a cell phone but ok to look at the car screen! Ha!

[harrahphotoman]

One thing I have not seen mentioned by any reviewers is voice control of things like the radio and AC/Heat. You don't have to do anything but talk to the car to get these settings changed. We bought the 25 Forester Touring, trading in our 21 Forester Touring. The differences between the two models is very noticeable. The new model is quieter, still maintains the great greenhouse, ease of entry/exit is important to me as I have back issues and the Forester is a comfortable fit for my 6'4" frame. I also enjoy the addition of cooled seats and the rear gate kick control. Yes, the price has gone up in the 4 years since we bought the 21 Touring, but look at what inflation has done to everything, so that is to be expected. I feel confident in the new model. It holds the road well, steers precisely, and is just comfortable.