Forester versus Outback?

[Charles Gillen]

I was very new to Subarus last month when I got my wife a Forester XS-
Premium 5-speed. Having done more research now, I wonder what are the
important differences between the Forester and the Outback, since both are
based on the Impreza. I see the Outback is longer, but that's about it.
The Forester seems to cost more than the Outback, CR-V or RAV4. Is the
Outback more off-roadable, rugged, or what?

 

[Charles \Stretch\ Ledford]

The Outback is certainly 'less' off-roadable, mainly due to the terrible
approach and departure angles.

Could you please explain what these two angles are?

Thanks!

 

[Brian]

Could you please explain what these two angles are?

Approach angle is the angle of a hill the vehicle can climb from level
ground without the bumper hitting the ground. Departure is the angle of a
hill you can go down without the rear hitting the ground when you get to
level ground.

Basically, to find these you can stick a board or metre-stick or something
under the wheel and see how high you can raise it before it hits the bumper
or some other part of the car. The angle between the board and the ground is
you approach/departure angle.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

The CRV is nice but 'busier' and smaller than my new OBW. I also didn't
like the swing out gate on it. Hinges on the 'wrong' side for me.
Personal opinion. Didn't drive a Forester - though the new Turbo sounds
tasty!

The Hyundai santa Fe was the only other contender for my money after
driving/considering 8-10 vehicles. The nicest vehicles we drove were
Toyota Highlander and Honda Odyssey - both just outside our budget.
Worst vehicle we drove - Kia Sorento.

So far - no regrets on the OBW. I think the OBW has more interior cargo
volume and was available with a 6 cyl. engine which we opted for. It
wasn't cheap but I feel it was worth a little more to me to have a
Subaru instead of a Hyundai - actually now I think of it - the seats
also were a little more roomy for my fat *** too!

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[ddd]

I was on the beach with my Forester last week on the Outer Banks of NC (
Cape Hatteras). Didn't see one Outback but did see many a Forester. I
drive the Beltways here in MD. I see more Outbacks then Foresters........Do
the math..........In my ever so humble opinion, the Outback has a better
marketing campaign that positions it as a rugged 4x4 where I think the
Forester is more of a pragmatist's vehicle. In other words, you aren't
gonna be winning a Baja Road Rally but it's NOT gonna get stuck like any
other station wagon trying to go through the snow to pick up the kids!

KDW

 

[FL]

Having owned both, I found the Outback to have a more carlike ride than the
Forester, but is more expensive. If you don't mind a slightly stiffer,
noisier ride, I would save a few thousand bucks and go for the Forester.
BTW, putting a set of good Michelin Energy Plus tires on the Forester made
the ride somewhat smoother & quieter, but they were expensive.

 

[Edward Hayes]

What turned me toward the Forester is the added ground clearance and I am in
and out of my vehicle allot so I appreciate the easer getting in and out. I
find my forester very nice for trips and local running around. Eddie

 

[Victor Roberts]

What turned me toward the Forester is the added ground clearance and I am in
and out of my vehicle allot so I appreciate the easer getting in and out. I
find my forester very nice for trips and local running around. Eddie

I have a '97 OBW with 96K miles and am thinking of replacing it.
However, I dislike the design of the rear of the current OBW so much
that I am considering a Forester for that reason, plus the easier
in/out that you mention.

 

[Dj Blag]

I agree with the other Forester owners about the good points. In addition, I
was pleasantly surprised with its ability in snow, which I got to try out
well here in NJ. Having come from an '85 LandCruiser, the Subie had big
'tires' to fill in that regard, and passed with flying colors.
Chas

 

[BKS]

The only complaints we have about our Forrester is the crappy rear legroom
(a kid in the back seat has their knees in your back) and poor construction
on the accessories (cupholder, etc.). Drives like a dream, is one of the
best cars every in the snow, great gas mileage, the world's largest
sunroof and I have yet to find a blind spot. If you can, get the five-speed
(we have an auto, but I bet the five speed is a blast to drive).

A friend has an Outback---much better accessory construction and more room
in the back seat. However, you pay for it---outbacks are not cheap.

 

[Brian Wasson]

I haven't owned a Forester, but have driven one both on and off road
(a friend in Colo. has one). I'm now on my second OBW (2001 and 2003,
just got it last night!). The Outback is not an SUV in any sense of
the word. It's a nice mid-size wagon with above-average ground
clearance and AWD. I don't really see the Forester as an SUV, either,
but it does a bit better than the OBW. My friend has had his Forester
on some surprisingly difficult trails and it made it fine. Our OBW did
great this year in the deep snow we got in NE USA. My other car is a
1991 Isuzu Trooper, and apart from a bit more clearance (on the
Trooper) they both did great in the snow.

Concerning your point about driving north on the beach in the Outer
Banks to Virginia, there is a fence at the NC/VA border that keeps you
from doing this easily. There is a way to get around it, as some Outer
Banks folks actually commute to work in VA this way. I doubt they
would let you do it if a hurricane was threatening. I've driven our
Trooper on the beach north of Corrola (I used to live in Virginia
Beach) and have seen both Foresters and Outbacks, but I think the
Forester would probably do better unless you stuck to the
below-high-tide line to get the firm sand. Be sure to reduce your tire
pressure a lot if you try to drive on the sand; it helps a lot.

 

[Ray]

I certainly would be suspicious of any vehicle that had spent a lot of
time diriving on the beaches. I used to work for Nissan Motor Corp.
and we had the "privilege" of supplying pickups and Pathfinders to the
Los Angeles County lifeguard service who treated tham terribly.

When one would reach its mileage limit for replacement (usually 9,000
miles) it would immediately be shipped to the used car auction for
sale. They would not sell them to employees or dealers. Every place on
those vehicle where a grain of sand could get it was usually full of
sand - enine, transmissions, front and rear differentials. I saw a
couple that had been torn down for inspection and they were full of
sand.

Beware of cars driven in sand...