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SUVLook comparison lab

2026 Subaru Outback vs 2026 Subaru Forester

Price, size, cabin, cargo, towing, safety and ownership side by side. Every value comes from the cited sources in each model-year profile, and gaps stay labeled instead of guessed.

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Key differences

Where the published numbers differ

No overall winner: each line is one source-backed figure. Decide which ones matter for how you will use the SUV.

AOutback has

  • Overall lengthlonger by 8.4 in
  • Wheelbaselonger wheelbase by 3.0 in
  • Overall widthwider by 2.0 in
  • Rear legroommore rear legroom by 0.1 in
  • Cargo behind rear seatmore cargo behind the rear seat by 5.0 cu ft
  • Maximum cargomore maximum cargo by 6.1 cu ft
  • Maximum towinghigher towing rating by 1,200 lb

BForester has

  • Starting pricelower starting price by $5,000
  • Front headroommore front headroom by 0.2 in

=Same figure

  • Ground clearance

Head-to-head

The numbers, side by side

Bars share one scale starting at zero, so small real differences are not exaggerated. Where a profile lists several figures, the highest published one is used.

OutbackForester
Starting price2026 Subaru Forester: lower starting price by $5,000
$34,995
$29,995
Overall length2026 Subaru Outback: longer by 8.4 in
191.7 in
183.3 in
Wheelbase2026 Subaru Outback: longer wheelbase by 3.0 in
108.1 in
105.1 in
Overall width2026 Subaru Outback: wider by 2.0 in
74.0 in
72.0 in
Ground clearanceSame published figure
8.7 in
8.7 in
Rear legroom2026 Subaru Outback: more rear legroom by 0.1 in
39.5 in
39.4 in
Front headroom2026 Subaru Forester: more front headroom by 0.2 in
Up to 41.0 in
Up to 41.2 in
Cargo behind rear seat2026 Subaru Outback: more cargo behind the rear seat by 5.0 cu ft
34.6 cu ft
29.6 cu ft
Maximum cargo2026 Subaru Outback: more maximum cargo by 6.1 cu ft
80.5 cu ft
74.4 cu ft
Maximum towing2026 Subaru Outback: higher towing rating by 1,200 lb
2,700 lb
1,500 lb

Decision snapshot

Six buyer questions, without an overall winner.

Each card compares one documented criterion. A lead is shown only when both source-backed values use a compatible measurement; otherwise the raw facts stay visible and the criterion stays unresolved.

Starting priceStarting MSRP
AOutback$34,995Premium
BForester$29,995Base gas Forester

2026 Subaru Forester has lower published starting MSRP by $5,000.

EfficiencyGas / base fuel economy
AOutback25 city / 31 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
BForesterUp to 26 city / 33 highway mpgSubaru published estimates

The current profiles do not provide two normalized values that can be compared safely.

Maximum cargoMaximum cargo volume
AOutback80.5 cu ftSubaru published figure
BForester74.4 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration

2026 Subaru Outback has more published maximum cargo volume by 6.1 cu ft.

Rear-seat roomRear legroom
AOutback39.5 inSubaru U.S. specification
BForester39.4 inSubaru U.S. specification

2026 Subaru Outback has more published rear/second-row legroom by 0.1 in.

Maximum towingMaximum towing
AOutback2,700 lbProperly equipped
BForester1,500 lbProperly equipped

2026 Subaru Outback has higher published maximum towing rating by 1,200 lb.

Basic warrantyNew-vehicle / basic warranty
AOutbackConfirm the 2026 Subaru warranty bookletCoverage tied to in-service date and mileage
BForesterConfirm current Subaru warranty bookletCoverage is tied to in-service date and mileage

The current profiles do not provide two normalized values that can be compared safely.

Table view

At a glance

Key specifications

4 of 8 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Subaru Forester
Starting MSRPDifferent$34,995Premium$29,995Base gas Forester
Primary engine / system2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification
Primary output180 hp2.5L BOXER180 hp2.5L BOXER
DrivetrainSymmetrical AWDStandardSymmetrical AWDStandard across the lineup
Seating52026 Subaru U.S. specification5Subaru U.S. specification
Cargo behind rear seatDifferent34.6 cu ftSubaru published figure29.6 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration
Maximum cargoDifferent80.5 cu ft2026 published figure74.4 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration
Maximum towingDifferent2,700 lbProperly equipped1,500 lbProperly equipped

Price & trims

Pricing and trim lineup

4 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Subaru Forester
Starting MSRPDifferent$34,995Premium$29,995Base gas Forester
Entry trimDifferentPremium · $34,9952.5L naturally aspiratedBase · $29,995Gas
Highest listed trimDifferentTouring XT · $47,9952.4L turboTouring Hybrid · $41,545Hybrid
Trim lineupDifferentPremium · Limited · Touring · Wilderness · Limited XT · Touring XT6 researched trimsBase · Premium · Premium Hybrid · Sport · Wilderness · Sport Hybrid · Limited · Limited Hybrid · Touring · Touring Hybrid10 researched trims

Performance

Engine, output and drivetrain

0 of 7 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Subaru Forester
Engine / primary system2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification
Primary output180 hp / 178 lb-ftSubaru U.S. specification180 hp / 178 lb-ftSubaru U.S. specification
High-output / turbo engineData gap2.4L turbo SUBARU BOXERWilderness and XT models—No source-backed value verified yet
High-output / turbo powerData gap260 hp / 277 lb-ftSubaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
TransmissionLineartronic CVTSubaru U.S. specificationLineartronic CVTSubaru U.S. specification
DrivetrainSymmetrical AWDStandardSymmetrical AWDStandard across the lineup
Hybrid outputData gap—No source-backed value verified yet194 hpSubaru Hybrid System

Fuel & efficiency

Fuel and efficiency details

3 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Subaru Forester
Gas / base fuel economyDifferent25 city / 31 highway mpgSubaru published estimatesUp to 26 city / 33 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
AWD / alternate fuel economyDifferent21 city / 29 highway mpgSubaru published estimatesAbout 25 city / 32 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
Off-road trim fuel economyDifferent21 city / 27 highway mpgSubaru published estimatesAbout 24 city / 28 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
Hybrid fuel economyData gap—No source-backed value verified yet35 city / 34 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
Driving rangeData gap—No source-backed value verified yetUp to 581 milesSubaru published estimate

Size & footprint

Exterior dimensions

4 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Subaru Forester
WheelbaseDifferent108.1 inSubaru U.S. specification105.1 inSubaru U.S. specification
Overall lengthDifferent191.7 inSubaru U.S. specification183.3 inMost trims
Overall widthDifferent74.0 inSubaru U.S. specification72.0 inMost trims
Ground clearance8.7 inMost trims8.7 inMost trims
Off-road ground clearanceDifferent9.5 inWilderness specification9.3 inSubaru Wilderness specification

Cabin

Interior space and seating

4 of 6 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Subaru Forester
Seating52026 Subaru U.S. specification5Subaru U.S. specification
Front legroomDifferent43.0 inSubaru U.S. specification43.3 inSubaru U.S. specification
Rear legroomDifferent39.5 inSubaru U.S. specification39.4 inSubaru U.S. specification
Front headroomDifferentUp to 41.0 inRoof equipment dependentUp to 41.2 inEquipment dependent
Rear headroomData gap40.5 inSubaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Passenger volumeDifferentUp to 112.3 cu ftWithout moonroofUp to 110.8 cu ftConfiguration dependent

Cargo

Cargo space and practical measurements

2 of 8 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Subaru Forester
Cargo behind rear seatDifferent34.6 cu ftSubaru published figure29.6 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration
Maximum cargo volumeDifferent80.5 cu ftSubaru published figure74.4 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration
Cargo length, seats upData gap42.8 in2026 published specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Cargo length, seats foldedData gap75.9 in2026 published specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Width between wheel housingsData gap43.3 in2026 published specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Hatch-opening widthData gap44.3 in2026 published specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Hatch-opening heightData gap31.5 in2026 published specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Cargo-area heightData gap34.1 in2026 published specification—No source-backed value verified yet

Utility

Towing, seating and capability

3 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Subaru Forester
Maximum towingDifferent2,700 lbProperly equipped1,500 lbProperly equipped
All-wheel driveSymmetrical AWDStandardSymmetrical AWDStandard across the lineup
Cargo behind rear seatDifferent34.6 cu ftSubaru published figureUp to 29.6 cu ftRoomiest published configuration
Maximum cargoDifferent80.5 cu ftSubaru published figureUp to 74.4 cu ftRoomiest published configuration

Safety

Published safety ratings

0 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Subaru Forester
IIHS small overlap frontGood2026 ratingGood2026 rating
IIHS updated moderate overlap frontGood2026 ratingGood2026 rating
IIHS updated sideGood2026 ratingGood2026 rating
IIHS headlightsGood2026 ratingGood2026 rating

Ownership

Warranty and service planning

1 of 1 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Subaru Forester
New-vehicle / basic warrantyDifferentConfirm the 2026 Subaru warranty bookletCoverage tied to in-service date and mileageConfirm current Subaru warranty bookletCoverage is tied to in-service date and mileage

Safety systems

Driver-assistance equipment and context

A2026 Subaru

Outback

The redesigned 2026 Outback earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. Subaru also makes EyeSight, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking and DriverFocus part of the new-generation safety story.

  • EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
  • Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Reverse Automatic Braking
  • DriverFocus distraction mitigation
B2026 Subaru

Forester

The 2026 Forester earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and includes EyeSight driver-assistance technology. The hybrid also carries a published NHTSA 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from Subaru’s U.S. materials.

  • EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
  • Automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise functions
  • Available blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert
  • DriverFocus available on upper trims

Cabin technology

Infotainment, connectivity and convenience

A2026 Subaru

Outback

  • A 12.1-inch center touchscreen is standard on the redesigned 2026 Outback.
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are integrated into the current STARLINK system.
  • DriverFocus is standard in the new-generation equipment strategy.
  • Upper trims add comfort, audio and driver-assistance equipment without changing the core cabin dimensions.
B2026 Subaru

Forester

  • An 11.6-inch STARLINK Multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is available on higher trims.
  • DriverFocus distraction mitigation is included on selected upper trims.
  • Power rear gate and panoramic moonroof availability depend on trim and package.
  • Hybrid models integrate Subaru’s electrified power display and energy-management information.

Evidence ledger

Source links and research freshness

Buying context

What to check before choosing a trim

A2026 Subaru

Outback

  1. This redesign is large enough that 2025 dimensions should not be used as substitutes for 2026 fit questions.
  2. The 2.5L is the efficiency-focused choice; the turbo is the relevant configuration for shoppers who need the higher tow rating or stronger acceleration.
  3. The hatch opening is lower than the maximum interior cargo height, so a tall rigid item can be limited by the doorway before the cabin itself.
  4. The 80.5-cu-ft maximum cargo figure and 75.9-inch folded floor length make the Outback unusually well documented for long-load planning.
Research caveat

Maximum hatch width, lower hatch width, wheel-housing width and internal maximum width describe different points. SUVLook keeps those fields separate so a larger number is not mistaken for guaranteed rectangular clearance.

Updated 2026-09-163 research sources
B2026 Subaru

Forester

  1. Forester is unusually easy to shortlist for tall drivers because Subaru publishes 43.3 inches of front legroom and up to 41.2 inches of headroom.
  2. The hybrid materially improves city fuel economy while keeping standard AWD, but its pricing and packaging differ from the gas lineup.
  3. Wilderness trades some fuel economy for extra ground clearance and a substantially higher published tow rating.
  4. Moonroof and equipment packaging can reduce published cargo volume, so compare the exact trim instead of relying on the maximum 74.4-cu-ft figure.
Research caveat

SUVLook does not carry the separate 2025 third-party linear cargo measurements forward as guaranteed 2026 dimensions. This profile uses 2026 data only where the existing research supports it.

Updated 2026-09-163 research sources

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