Subaru Forester (2016) vs. Subaru Outback (2014) Specs

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2016 Subaru Forester and 2014 Subaru Outback Specifications

Model Year	2016	2014
Model	Subaru Forester	Subaru Outback
Engine	turbocharged 2.0L H4 DOHC-4v 250 hp@5600 258 lb-ft@2000	3.6L H6 DOHC-4v 256 hp@6000 247 lb-ft@4400
Transmission	8-speed shiftable CVT	5-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD
Body	4dr SUV	4dr Wagon
			Difference
Wheelbase	103.9 in	107.9 in	-4 in
Length	180.9 in	189.0 in	-8.1 in
Width	70.7 in	71.7 in	-1 in
Height	66.4 in	65.7 in	0.7 in
Curb Weight	3624 lb.	3613 lb.	11 lb.
Fuel Capacity	15.9 gal.	18.5 gal.	-2.6 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	41.4 in	40.8 in	0.6 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	57.0 in	56.3 in	0.7 in
Legroom, Row 1	43.0 in	43.0 in	0 in
Headroom, Row 2	39.8 in	39.3 in	0.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	56.5 in	56.1 in	0.4 in
Legroom, Row 2	38.0 in	37.8 in	0.2 in
Total Legroom	81 in (over 2 rows)	80.8 in (over 2 rows)	0.2 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	34.4 ft³	34.3 ft³	0.1 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	74.7 ft³	71.3 ft³	3.4 ft³

2016 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2015	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	I'm 6'3" and often don't fit comfortable in vehicles. I found this had a very nice amount of front seat room. The center console tends to stay out of the way as well, some newer designs have the center stack moving into where my right knee would be. It's a very noticeable improvement over my previous 2009 Escape. I actually found the Forester more comfortable for me than the Outback. I was expecting the opposite. see full Subaru Forester review
2015	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	After looking at Explorer's, I was surprised how much more room the Forester had in the back seat. Granted it doesn't have a third row, but if you don't need a 3rd row, the Forester is hard to beat in this segment for rear seat room. We can put a forward facing child seat in the back, move the front seat up a about 2 inches from all the way back and there's still plenty of front passenger room and my 1.5 year old son can't kick the back of the seat. see full Subaru Forester review

2016 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2017	4dr SUV turbocharged 250hp 2.0L H4 8-speed shiftable CVT AWD	- Terrible front seat support - The cushions are too short - It's not noticeable on a test drive right away. I would not have bought the car! Test drive extensively! - Surfaces where your elbows would lay are too hard - I purchased foam pads to make it feel better. - Tall drivers like myself will struggle with the telescoping wheel's short extension range. - It is hard to get into a fully comfortable driving position. The memory seats in the XT help somewhat by retaining your seat settings if moved. - Front seat cushions are too short - Yes I said this twice - Front seat cushions are too short - Yes I said this THREE times! Subaru are you listening? The front seat cushions are WAY TOO SHORT! see full Subaru Forester review

2014 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2015	Through the 2009 model year, the Outback (and the related Legacy sedan) had a tight back seat. Though marketed as a midsize car, it was actually a compact. The 2010 redesign dramatically expanded the Outback's interior, especially in the back seat. The 2015 redesign added another inch of shoulder room, such that the Outback (and Legacy) are now not only truly midsize, but rank among the roomiest midsize cars. Rear air vents are offered--in Outbacks with leather. So the tested car lacked them. Some compact crossovers, including the Cherokee, are about as roomy, but they achieve their specs through a more upright seating position. People in the back seat are closer to the front seats, so they don't feel like they have as much room even though they have just as much space for their legs. But they get rear air vents even in the lower trim levels. see full Subaru Outback review

2014 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
	The front seats have an unusually high bulge just below my shoulder blades. This feels more odd than uncomfortable, at least to me. The driver's lumbar adjusts, but this affects the area below said bulge. Partly depending on your height your experience might vary. These seats also provide very little lateral support, which admittedly isn't much of an issue given the non-sporting character (and non-sporting tires) of the Outback. I had no such qualms with the armrest on the door. It's wide and cushy. In the front seats' favor, for 2015 Subaru has added fore-aft adjustability to the headrests, a rarity in recent moderately priced cars. The Jeep's cloth seats are too squishy, but they're more form-fittting than the Subaru's, and I find them more comfortable. see full Subaru Outback review

2014 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2014	4dr Wagon 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	The front seats are very comfy, and the seat heaters are powerful and warm up quickly. We compared the car to a 2014 Forrester, and we think the OB seats are more comfy-- they have more thigh support. see full Subaru Outback review
2014	4dr Wagon 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	The rear seats are much more comfy than in the old Outback. They took a couple of inches out of the cargo area to give the rear seat more room. The reclining seatback for the rear seats is a nice comfort as well. see full Subaru Outback review

2014 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2014	4dr Wagon 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	Minor complaint-- like every other Japanese car I've ever owned, this one also doesn't seem to understand that feet get cold. The heater is great- it provides lots of heat, and quickly. But when you you set it to floor, the hot air hits you in the lower calf, and then rises. The heat never makes it to your feet! see full Subaru Outback review

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