2006 Forester vs Outback

[bbcrock]

I am looking at the 2006 Forester Premium vs the 2006 Outback 2.5i-
they are almost identical in price. Are there any decent sites
comparing the two? Anyone have any gut reactions that they want to
share?

thanks,

Don

 

[Freedom55]

I am looking at the 2006 Forester Premium vs the 2006 Outback 2.5i-
they are almost identical in price. Are there any decent sites
comparing the two? Anyone have any gut reactions that they want to
share?

thanks,

Don

To be honest, I think the Outback is more refined, nicer ride, better
ergonomics and better looking. That is what convinced us to buy our
Atlantic Blue 05 OBW.

Ron

--
And it really doesn't matter if
I'm wrong I'm right
Where I belong I'm right
Where I belong.

Lennon & McCartney

 

[R Sweeney]

To be honest, I think the Outback is more refined, nicer ride, better
ergonomics and better looking. That is what convinced us to buy our
Atlantic Blue 05 OBW.

But if you are tall, the Forester is much easier to get in and out of
without ducking

 

[Edward Hayes]

I picked my 2000 Forester because of the visibility in traffic. Both
are great vehicles and haven't compared the later models though. Step
in height and visibility were much better in the Forester.

 

[lkreh]

Subjectively, I like the Outback better than the Forester.
Objectively, the Outback is significantly larger inside. Your decision
largely depends on how much space you need.

 

[marcus153]

2006 Cargo Capacity:
Forester: 32.0 cubic ft./57.7cu. ft. with rear seat lowered
Outback: 33.5 cubic ft./66.2 cu. ft. with rear seat lowered

2006 Cabin Capacity:
Forester: 93.5 cu. ft.
Outback: 97.4 cu. ft.

Forester is a foot shorter.
Outback ride and handling more nimble and car-like.
Outback probably quieter.
Forester less likely to bottom out (wider angle of approach and angle
of departure).

Marc Sindell
Twin City Subaru Sales
Montplier Vermont

 

[lkreh]

I know this isn't a typical stat, but I'd like to see a cargo capacity
comparison that only accounts for a cargo level that is up to the rear
seat height level. In other words, it's undesirable, to say the least,
to stack cargo floor to ceiling. What is the cargo capacity if you
limit cargo height to the rear seat height level?

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

2006 Cargo Capacity:
Forester: 32.0 cubic ft./57.7cu. ft. with rear seat lowered
Outback: 33.5 cubic ft./66.2 cu. ft. with rear seat lowered

2006 Cabin Capacity:
Forester: 93.5 cu. ft.
Outback: 97.4 cu. ft.

Forester is a foot shorter.
Outback ride and handling more nimble and car-like.
Outback probably quieter.
Forester less likely to bottom out (wider angle of approach and angle
of departure).

Marc Sindell
Twin City Subaru Sales
Montplier Vermont

Also, the seats may fit larger folks better in the Outback. That was one
of our considerations.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[marcus153]

Ikreh, you have a good point. Certainly, one could consider the cargo
space more "usable" in the Outback. The Forester does make very
efficient use of space, however.

Marc

 

[Grolsch]

Forester = Japan Build
Outback = US Build.

Forester = Lighter, "Top Pick" with Consumers reports and Highest crash test
results
Outback = Less so

Outback concept is getting pretty dated IMHO.

I bought the forester (04, 37,000km) and am very happy with it.

 

[lkreh]

Outback concept is getting pretty dated?!? Tell it to Audi Offroad,
Volvo XC70, Ford Freestyle, and other mfgs. making Outback-inspired,
all-wheel drive wagons.

I will agree that the previous gen Outback *design* was getting dated,
but not the concept.

My two duckets,
LK

 

[Tom Reingold]

I know this isn't a typical stat, but I'd like to see a cargo capacity
comparison that only accounts for a cargo level that is up to the rear
seat height level. In other words, it's undesirable, to say the least,
to stack cargo floor to ceiling. What is the cargo capacity if you
limit cargo height to the rear seat height level?

My guess is that the Outback's advantage would increase even further in
that case, since the area of the bottom horizontal surface is larger.
The Forester makes up for it with height, which you don't want to use.

Tom

 

[Earle Jones]

I am looking at the 2006 Forester Premium vs the 2006 Outback 2.5i-
they are almost identical in price. Are there any decent sites
comparing the two? Anyone have any gut reactions that they want to
share?

thanks,

Don

*
I've owned both. I still have an '01 Outback. The Forester has
more headroom (a bit) and more ground clearance. It is shorter and
therefore has less storage space. Back seat legroom is better in
the Outback.

Otherwise, not much difference.

earle
*

 

[Andrew Webber]

*
I've owned both. I still have an '01 Outback. The Forester has
more headroom (a bit) and more ground clearance. It is shorter and
therefore has less storage space. Back seat legroom is better in
the Outback.

Otherwise, not much difference.

earle

I think they raised the Outback in 2005 so it's got 8" ground
clearance? I remember them saying it was slightly more than the
Forester.

=aw
andrew [(e-mail address removed)]

 

[Tom Reingold]

I've owned both. I still have an '01 Outback. The Forester has
more headroom (a bit) and more ground clearance. It is shorter and
therefore has less storage space. Back seat legroom is better in
the Outback.

Otherwise, not much difference.

earle
*

I am very long-waisted, and the Legacy has more than enough headroom.
Most of my cars have not had enough room. I can't imagine what you would
do with the extra room. You can't exactly sit on the ceiling.

 

[R Sweeney]

I am very long-waisted, and the Legacy has more than enough headroom. Most
of my cars have not had enough room. I can't imagine what you would do
with the extra room. You can't exactly sit on the ceiling.

well, for one thing you don't have to bend over and contort your neck to get
in and out

that alone is worth it

 

[Edward Hayes]

I picked a Forester because of the easy get-in/get-out. My back
doesn't like me bending over too much and I hate getting into a car
butt first and then swing my legs in. In addition: the visibility is
better in the Forester which in my traffic is a big plus. I wish my
2000 Forester did not look like a moving bread box as the outback sure
looks better IMO.