Kia Forte (2014) vs. Subaru Outback (2016) Specs

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2014 Kia Forte and 2016 Subaru Outback Specifications

Model Year	2014	2016
Model	Kia Forte	Subaru Outback
Engine	turbocharged 1.6L I4 DOHC-4v 201 hp@6000 195 lb-ft@1750	3.6L H6 DOHC-4v 256 hp@6000 247 lb-ft@4400
Transmission	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable CVT
Drivetrain	FWD	AWD
Body	4dr Hatch	4dr Wagon
			Difference
Wheelbase	106.3 in	108.1 in	-1.8 in
Length	171.3 in	189.6 in	-18.3 in
Width	70.1 in	72.4 in	-2.3 in
Height	57.1 in	66.1 in	-9 in
Curb Weight	3122 lb.	3810 lb.	-688 lb.
Fuel Capacity	13.2 gal.	18.5 gal.	-5.3 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.4 in	40.8 in	-1.4 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	56.1 in	58.1 in	-2 in
Hip Room, Row 1	53.0 in	55.5 in	-2.5 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.2 in	42.9 in	-0.7 in
Headroom, Row 2	38.7 in	38.9 in	-0.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	54.9 in	57.3 in	-2.4 in
Hip Room, Row 2	53.1 in	55.0 in	-1.9 in
Legroom, Row 2	35.9 in	38.1 in	-2.2 in
Total Legroom	78.1 in (over 2 rows)	81 in (over 2 rows)	-2.9 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	23.2 ft³	35.5 ft³	-12.3 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	56.4 ft³	73.3 ft³	-16.9 ft³

2014 Kia Forte Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2014	People who need a roomy rear seat don't often buy coupes. So with the Civic Si the coupe is an inch and a half shorter (in both height and length) than the sedan, which translates to nearly three inches less headroom and nearly five inches less legroom in back, making it a very tight fit for even modestly sized adults. Those who do want a roomy rear seat in their coupe will be much happier with the Forte. Compared to the sedan, Kia shaved the Koup's roofline an inch but kept the wheelbase the same. Sitting behind my 5-9 self, I had about an inch of clearance over my head and a hand's-width ahead of my knees. Switch to the four-door body styles, and both cars are about equally roomy in back. But only Forte rear seat passengers enjoy rear air vents--in every body style. see full Kia Forte review

2014 Kia Forte Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2014	4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	One of the best of his kind. Almost unbeatable for a car of this price. see full Kia Forte review

2016 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

2016 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

2016 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2016	4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	see full Subaru Outback review
2016	4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	see full Subaru Outback review

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans, Coupes, and Hatchbacks.

See TrueDelta's information for all Kia models.