Subaru Outback (2013) vs. Subaru Forester (2016) Specs

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2013 Subaru Outback and 2016 Subaru Forester Specifications

Model Year	2013	2016
Model	Subaru Outback	Subaru Forester
Engine	3.6L H6 DOHC-4v 256 hp@6000 247 lb-ft@4400	turbocharged 2.0L H4 DOHC-4v 250 hp@5600 258 lb-ft@2000
Transmission	5-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable CVT
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD
Body	4dr Wagon	4dr SUV
			Difference
Wheelbase	107.9 in	103.9 in	4 in
Length	189.0 in	180.9 in	8.1 in
Width	71.7 in	70.7 in	1 in
Height	65.7 in	66.4 in	-0.7 in
Curb Weight	3613 lb.	3624 lb.	-11 lb.
Fuel Capacity	18.5 gal.	15.9 gal.	2.6 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	40.8 in	41.4 in	-0.6 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	56.3 in	57.0 in	-0.7 in
Legroom, Row 1	43.0 in	43.0 in	0 in
Headroom, Row 2	39.3 in	39.8 in	-0.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	56.1 in	56.5 in	-0.4 in
Legroom, Row 2	37.8 in	38.0 in	-0.2 in
Total Legroom	80.8 in (over 2 rows)	81 in (over 2 rows)	-0.2 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	34.3 ft³	34.4 ft³	-0.1 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	71.3 ft³	74.7 ft³	-3.4 ft³

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2013 Subaru Outback

2013 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
2012	4dr Wagon 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	I am a big guy. 5'10 and about 290 lbs. This car is very comfortable for me. I can reach the controls nicely, love the heated leather seats. see full Subaru Outback review
2012	4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	0 see full Subaru Outback review
2012	4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	I have found our 2012 Outback to be very comfortable for long drives. The driver's seat has plenty of adjustment to accommodate my frame. Legroom is outstanding. My wife got so spoiled with the heated seats in our 99 Outback Limited that she balks at cars without. So our 2010 and now the 2012 have had the heated seats. see full Subaru Outback review
2012	4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	Rear seat comfort is excellent even for very tall teenagers and 20 somethings. The redesign of the Outback in 2010 noticeably improved rear seat space. One note when flipping down the back seats. Make sure your head is out of the way when you lift the release lever. The seat back springs forward quickly. The angle of the rear seat can also be reclined for additional comfort. The fold down center cup holder is a nice touch. The seating position is high so visibility is great. see full Subaru Outback review
2012	4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	Very comfortable. see full Subaru Outback review

2013 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

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2016 Subaru Forester

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

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