I'm looking at purchasing a new Subaru Outback or Forester for a member of my family and the following factors are most important:

 

Safety

Reliability

Comfortablle ride

Ability to take "off-road"

Higher seating position

Excellent visibility

Acceptable performance (acceleration)

Good gas mileage

High resale value

 

Appreciate comments from members familiar with either/both of these models

what vehicle were they driving before?

A Dodge Nitro.

I'm looking at purchasing a new Subaru Outback or Forester for a member of my family and the following factors are most important:

 

Safety

Reliability

Comfortablle ride

Ability to take "off-road"

Higher seating position

Excellent visibility

Acceptable performance (acceleration)

Good gas mileage

High resale value

 

 

That's it?  LOL

 

cars101.com

that should delineate forester and outback differences.

if the person is prone to need more space - travel, pets, kids, work, hobbies, gear - i'd aim for the larger vehicle.

 

For safety - weight and size is the most determinate factor so which one is bigger?

 

Check online data for resale, gas mileage, safety ratings.  Or call your insurance company for safety data.

 

Test drive to determine comfortable, visibility, performance, those are wildly variable by individual.

 

With the newness of this generation reliability is speculative. Statistically quantitative data that actually means something comes with time, otherwise it's just guess work and making assumptions based on incomplete data like most "car reports" you read on line.  They're mildly accurate at best usually...maybe. I don't waste my time reading those reports compiled by people who probably don't have much experience or actually know much about vehicles, reliability, manufacturing, quality control, six sigma, lean....

 

Mechanical systems are close to 2010-2014 generation stuff, you can check those for comparison and scan that forum for any big discussion items.

 

I haven't seen anything notable there, the oil consumption issue but I think that's resolved.

Edited August 27, 201510 yr by grossgary

When jumping manufacturers - test drive a lot - the steering, braking, and go pedal can feel substantially different.  Take note of steering, braking, and throttle effort and response.  Do some hard take offs and braking and steering.  The differences are neither good nor bad but they can be big differences and personal preference will dictate how you interpret them.  I don't like super loose steering, bitey brakes, and immediately jumping off the line when touching the go pedal myself.  IT does feel good, and reassuring like it's all right there when you need it - but I don't prefer it.

both of those vehicles are fine, just go and compare.

 

If the Forester seating feels OK, it might be slightly more economical and easier to park in an urban environment. If they haul gear, passengers, cruise the highways or need more 'comfort' - Outback might get the nod.

A Dodge Nitro.

I wouldn't buy a new Chrysler product if you payed me to. Go do some research on the 9 speed auto trans in them.

Thanks to everyone for their feedback ...

Thanks to everyone for their feedback ...

 

I actually test drove both the Forester and Outback the say you posted this thread. I can you that without a doubt the Outback has better ride quality than the Forester. The difference was night and day.