2027 Subaru Outback vs Subaru Forester: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Forester — it leads our weighted scorecard 5–1.5 across 8 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($29,995 vs $32,995) and better 5-year value retention (55.6% vs 47.7%). Choose the Outback if you want the most power (260 hp vs 194 hp).
Scorecard: Outback 1.5 pts · Forester 5 pts across 8 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Outback | 2027 Forester | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $32,995 | $29,995 | Forester |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | — | 0.53 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 47.7% | 55.6% | Forester |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 27 mpg | 35 mpg | Forester |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 260 hp | 194 hp | Outback |
| Max towing (1) | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb | Tie |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 34.6 cu ft | 35.4 cu ft | Tie |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 7.3% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 2 | 5 | Outback |
| Weighted points | 1.5 | 5 | Forester |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Forester — 35 mpg vs 27 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — Outback 5 vs Forester 5 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Forester — $29,995 vs $32,995 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $23,189 for the Outback vs $23,085 for the Forester.
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Forester — 55.6% vs 47.7% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — Outback 3,500 lb vs Forester 3,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Outback starts at $32,995 and tops out at $46,595; the Forester runs $29,995 to $41,545 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Forester buyers paid a median 7.3% off MSRP across 5 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 9% off. Used, the median asking price is $23,189 for the Outback and $23,085 for the Forester (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Outback: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Forester: 0.53 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 52th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Outback 2, Forester 5.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Outback 2016 (avoid) · Forester 2016 (avoid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Outback | 2027 Forester | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $32,995 | $29,995 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $46,595 | $41,545 |
| Horsepower | 180–260 hp | 180–194 hp |
| Max torque | 277 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 23–27 mpg | 26–35 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 34.6 cu ft | 35.4 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| Outback | Forester | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 191.7 in | 183.3 in |
| Width | 74 in | 72 in |
| Height | 67.5 in | 68.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.1 in | 105.1 in |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in | 8.7 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Outback lists for a median $22,070 — 47.7% of today's median new price of $46,303. A 5-year-old (2021) Forester lists for a median $22,000 — 55.6% of today's median new price of $39,595.
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More on the Subaru Outback
More on the Subaru Forester
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Outback better than the Forester?
On our data, no — the Forester comes out ahead. Our pick: the Forester — it leads our weighted scorecard 5–1.5 across 8 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($29,995 vs $32,995) and better 5-year value retention (55.6% vs 47.7%). Choose the Outback if you want the most power (260 hp vs 194 hp).
Which is more reliable, the Outback or the Forester?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Outback and 5 for the Forester.
Which holds its value better, the Outback or the Forester?
The Forester: a 5-year-old example lists for 55.6% of the new price, versus 47.7% for the Outback, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Outback or the Forester?
The Forester starts lower: $29,995 vs $32,995 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the Outback or the Forester?
The Forester: up to 35 mpg combined vs 27 mpg for the Outback (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Subaru Outback vs Subaru Forester: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/subaru-outback-vs-subaru-forester, updated November 8, 2026.