What To Know
- However, the Forester is a better choice if you’re looking for a more affordable vehicle with better approach and departure angles.
- The Forester is a better choice if you’re looking for a more affordable vehicle with better approach and departure angles.
- The Forester has an approach angle of 25 degrees and a departure angle of 23 degrees, while the Outback has an approach angle of 22.
The Subaru Forester and Outback are two of the most popular off-road vehicles on the market. Both vehicles offer a rugged design, ample ground clearance, and a variety of off-road features. However, there are also some key differences between the two vehicles that can make one a better choice for you than the other.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the Subaru Forester vs Outback off-road to help you decide which vehicle is right for you. We’ll compare the two vehicles in terms of their:
- Ground clearance
- Approach and departure angles
- Four-wheel drive systems
- Off-road features
- Price
Ground Clearance
The Subaru Forester has 8.7 inches of ground clearance, while the Outback has 8.9 inches. This difference is negligible for most off-road driving, but it could be a factor if you’re planning on tackling very rough terrain.
Approach and Departure Angles
The approach angle refers to the angle at which the front of the vehicle can climb over an obstacle without hitting it. The departure angle refers to the angle at which the rear of the vehicle can climb over an obstacle without hitting it.
The Forester has an approach angle of 25 degrees and a departure angle of 23 degrees. The Outback has an approach angle of 22.9 degrees and a departure angle of 21.7 degrees. The Forester’s slightly better approach and departure angles give it a slight advantage over the Outback when it comes to climbing over obstacles.
Four-Wheel Drive Systems
Both the Forester and Outback come standard with all-wheel drive. However, the Outback offers a more advanced four-wheel drive system with a locking center differential. This system provides better traction in slippery conditions and when driving off-road.
Off-Road Features
The Forester and Outback offer a variety of off-road features to help you tackle rough terrain. These features include:
- Hill descent control
- Hill start assist
- X-Mode (Forester only)
- Active torque vectoring (Outback only)
X-Mode is a system that optimizes the Forester’s performance for off-road driving. It adjusts the engine, transmission, and brakes to provide better traction and control. Active torque vectoring is a system that helps the Outback improve its cornering performance by sending more torque to the outside wheels.
Price
The Subaru Forester starts at $26,395, while the Outback starts at $28,195. The Outback is more expensive than the Forester, but it also comes with more standard features and a more advanced four-wheel drive system.
Which Vehicle Is Right for You?
The Subaru Forester and Outback are both excellent off-road vehicles. However, the Forester is a better choice if you’re looking for a more affordable vehicle with better approach and departure angles. The Outback is a better choice if you’re looking for a more advanced four-wheel drive system and more standard features.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which vehicle is right for you is to test drive both of them and see which one you prefer.
Off-Road Comparison Chart
| Feature | Forester | Outback |
| — | — | — |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 inches | 8.9 inches |
| Approach angle | 25 degrees | 22.9 degrees |
| Departure angle | 23 degrees | 21.7 degrees |
| Four-wheel drive system | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive with locking center differential |
| Off-road features | Hill descent control, hill start assist, X-Mode | Hill descent control, hill start assist, active torque vectoring |
| Price | Starts at $26,395 | Starts at $28,195 |
Recommendations
The Subaru Forester and Outback are both excellent off-road vehicles. The Forester is a better choice if you’re looking for a more affordable vehicle with better approach and departure angles. The Outback is a better choice if you’re looking for a more advanced four-wheel drive system and more standard features.
Questions We Hear a Lot
Q: Which vehicle has better ground clearance, the Forester or the Outback?
A: The Outback has slightly better ground clearance than the Forester, with 8.9 inches compared to 8.7 inches.
Q: Which vehicle has better approach and departure angles, the Forester or the Outback?
A: The Forester has slightly better approach and departure angles than the Outback. The Forester has an approach angle of 25 degrees and a departure angle of 23 degrees, while the Outback has an approach angle of 22.9 degrees and a departure angle of 21.7 degrees.
Q: Which vehicle has a more advanced four-wheel drive system, the Forester or the Outback?
A: The Outback has a more advanced four-wheel drive system than the Forester. The Outback’s four-wheel drive system includes a locking center differential, which provides better traction in slippery conditions and when driving off-road.