Outback Wilderness Vs. Forester Wilderness, Which Subaru is Better?

What’s up guys! I’ve reviewed a whole lotta Subaru’s by this point. Including multiple Outback Wilderness and Forester Wilderness. I also receive a lot of questions comparing the two and which one I prefer. So here it is, a side by side comparison review where I share my opinion and experiences on the matter!

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Dealer link where I borrowed these from below…

[joeflores]

Had the 21 crosstrek sport and traded it for the 23 forester wilderness 2 weeks ago and pretty impressed so far. Not something you see everyday in Houston but get some looks and smack talk from the jeep guys.

[citosauce]

I just started car sales and I work at a Subaru dealership and these videos and comments help me with product knowledge then what they teach me.

[mcwendel]

Both are very nice vehicles but the outback definitely drives nicer overall. I will say it would be a tougher choice if the Forrester had a turbo. Outback also looks better IMO.

[ElChupahuahua]

I have that same 2023 FW in the Geyser Blue. So far, I absolutely love it. My wife has a 2021 Outback Limited. We are very pleased with both having now owned a total of 5 Subarus.

[joshporter]

My wife and I just bought a 2023 Forester Wilderness. Absolutely loving it. Nice video. Thanks for posting.

[shanwar]

I'm loving both you reviewed. You really can't go wrong. I got a subaru after getting my wife one. I work for the railroad in Newark NJ. All weather in every season is a must for us. Her 2012 subaru forester in manual transmission is still doing great. I have a 2019 forester and same story. Love them both and both have saved our asses over and over in terrible conditions.

[mariosimard]

I've been driving a Forester since 2019. I'm changing vehicles in the coming months and I think this time I'll opt for the Outback. Changing to a 2023 model brings nothing significantly new aesthetically and I would feel like I was driving my old car. The Outback model is different both externally and internally. The space available when the seats are lowered is also a little larger than in the Forester. I considered the turbo engine option but quickly changed my mind when I saw the noticeable difference in price here in Canada. What's more, you have to add 15% more taxes to the price... so I will continue to settle for the regular engine which, by the way, does the job very well. Thanks for your work.

[jasonsteuer]

I picked up that exactly Forester today and omg the moonroof and huge windows the visibility is amazing. The ride quality is comparable to my 70k BMW X3 M40i. The power was fine on an hour drive on the highway here in jersey between some traffic and passing people no problem at all. The lane centering with cruise control was terrific. Definitely glad I went with the Forester…… I’m 48 so time to break out the power ballad CD’s !!!!

[FahadFaisal]

Went from a Crosstrek to an Outback wilderness. Definitely loving the difference the turbo makes. Wish they brought back the turbo for the Forester though. Even this engine in a lighter Forester would be sick !!

[repCanada]

Don't like the touch screen in the outback. Forester has physical buttons and knobs. Forester ftw

[ds]

I own both the 2022 Outback Wilderness, and a 2024 Forester Wilderness. Power....ya can't beat the Outback, but ya gotta really put your foot into it before the turbo kicks in and then it really goes. I can't stand the large touch screen functions. You have to take your eyes off the road every time you want to do anything, I can't stand it, easy to hit the wrong function, I give it a poor rating for user friendly, easy to use, safe driving controls. On the other hand, the Forester has more traditional controls, easy to use while still keeping your eyes on the road, heated seat controls down where they're supposed to be, I like it so much better. Fuel economy, I'm a conservative driver and best I can get on the hwy is 23 mpg on a flat hwy with no head wind. Forester, I haven't had it long at all and I've already seen 27 plus on the hwy. Headlights on both are extremely bright, all traffic coming towards you flash their headlights because they think your high beams are annoying, wish the headlights weren't so bright. Long story short, overall I like the Forester better.

[spoozy]

I have a FW and I absolutely love it. Couldn’t care less about the turbo. Love the HK audio system.

[tjadventures]

I like them both but I've always been attracted more to the boxy looks of the Forester although i wish there was still an XT model available. It's good that i can't afford either so that makes it easy for me😅

[Deetroiter]

I really like both vehicles. The outback has the nice length and size, the Forester has the really awesome headroom. You can tell for sure when you sit in it that the roof sits much higher

[sully]

I went from the 19 forester sport to the forester wilderness to a 23 outback wilderness. The outback is by far better. If you need to tow and or want a more exciting ride go with the outback. You won’t have any regrets. The touch screen isn’t terrible. Slight lags are frustrating at times . Surprisingly I’m getting a little better average mpg with the obw than the fw. 23.5 mpg over 5k miles in obw. 22.3 over 8k in FW. Overall it’s pretty crappy but it by far surpasses a rav4 or Honda in capabilities.

[BoanergesJim]

I have had both the 2022 Outback Wilderness and the 2023 Outback Wilderness. It is hands down my favorite vehicle that I have owned. I managed a road trip from Dallas to Memphis and was able to get 32 MPG. Good fuel mileage is possible, one just has to watch the RPMs and try not to drive it like you stole it. In hills as well as stop and go traffic is where it will start drinking fuel.
All in all, it is one of the most over all capable vehicles that I have owned. It will allow me to go on forest trails as well as pick up groceries and not need to sell a kidney to purchase tires.

[markcook]

I am supposed to get my 2023 FW in autumn green next week. This will be my first Subaru. It was a hard choice OW vs FW. I like FW being shorter and not so wagon looking but the entertainment system was a big factor. I did not want to wait for 2024 FW as I feel they will put the touch only screen in it like all other models. So, next week I’ll join the Subi Club and hopefully be a lifetime member.

[PapaA]

I test drove the 2024 Forester and the Outback both in Wilderness. I purchased the Forester due to the visibility, seating position, ride experience. The Outback seats were better and if I was using this for long trips the Outback would have been my choice. Babying it on the first 1, 000 miles and currently average 29.1 mpg. I didn’t expect that but happy. Drives great.

[paulschapman]

I have to say I went from a 2008 wrx 455 horsepower to a 2022 forester wilderness and I couldn’t be happier!!! I have a baby now and two husky dogs donut fits my life style perfectly . I love the look of the forester not the fastest but fun and Fermat yo fine especially with sports mode.

[jimbo]

I just got rid of my POS '21 Outback - it was loaded to the gills but after multiple electrical issues (fried FIVE circuits), spent THREE WEEKS at the dealer because the sound system blew - the 16 speaker Harman Kardon and less than two weeks later, it stranded me 615 miles from home because yet another circuit blew draining the battery - twice! ALL of this at less than 12k miles on the car!! I finally threw in the towel once I made it back home - traded it for a '23 Forester Wilderness. So much better than the Outback - hardly any electronics - handles much better - no turbo but it has better pickup than my turbo had in the outback. Can't wait to take it on a trip.