2025 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander

$29,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Subaru Forester bursts onto the scene as the definitive all-weather adventurer, channeling its 180 hp through standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and boasting a commendable 29 MPG combined. In contrast, the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander brings a different flavor, prioritizing low-end pull with 207 lb-ft of torque—significantly more than the Forester's 178 lb-ft—though its base FWD configuration is a noticeable departure from Subaru’s rugged default. While both crossovers share an identical starting MSRP of $29,995, the Forester is narrower at 72.0 inches versus the Outlander's 74.7 inches, suggesting easier urban navigation for the Subaru. The Forester offers superior hauling potential with 29.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Outlander’s 10.9 cu ft in this direct comparison, making the Forester the practical, sure-footed choice for those prioritizing capability over the Outlander's modest torque advantage.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Subaru Forester

The 2025 Forester wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 29 MPG compared to the Outlander's unlisted but presumed lower rating given its FWD configuration.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Subaru Forester

With 29.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, the Forester offers substantially more space than the Outlander's 10.9 cu ft for hauling family gear.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander

The 2026 Outlander appeals slightly more to torque enthusiasts with its class-leading 207 lb-ft, significantly surpassing the Forester's 178 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Subaru Forester

Despite sharing the $29,995 MSRP, the Forester offers significantly more utility and better fuel economy standard through its AWD system.

Choose the Subaru Forester if...

You need dependable traction in snow or poor weather, as the Forester includes standard All-Wheel Drive.
Maximum utility is key; the Forester provides 29.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, easily outstripping the Outlander.
You prioritize efficiency, as the Forester achieves a 29 MPG combined rating.

Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander if...

You desire immediate shove off the line, leveraging the Outlander’s higher 207 lb-ft of torque.
A slightly wider stance (74.7 inches vs 72.0 inches) feels more commanding on the road.
You are content with the standard Front-Wheel Drive configuration for everyday use.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Subaru Forester	Mitsubishi Outlander
Length	183.3"	185.8"
Width	72.0"	74.7"
Height	68.1"	68.7"
Wheelbase	105.1"	106.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Subaru	Mitsubishi
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Subaru	Mitsubishi
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	1.5 L
Number of Cylinders	flat 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	180 hp @ 5800 rpm	177 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	178 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm	207 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Subaru	Mitsubishi
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—

Fuel

Feature	Subaru	Mitsubishi
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/33 MPG	—
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	29 MPG	—
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	431.6/547.8 mi.	0/0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.6 gal.	14.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Subaru	Mitsubishi
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	—
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	—
Push Button Start	—	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Subaru	Mitsubishi
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	8
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	With Real Time Traffic
Satellite Radio Trial Length	4 months	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Subaru	Mitsubishi
One-Touch Power Windows	1	1
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Subaru	Mitsubishi
Front Head Room	41.2 in.	40.6 in.
Front Leg Room	43.3 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.7 in.	57.9 in.
Front Hip Room	54.7 in.	54.0 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power

Rearseats

Feature	Subaru	Mitsubishi
Rear Head Room	39.6 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.4 in.	39.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.7 in.	55.9 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.7 in.	53.3 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Subaru	Mitsubishi
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/60R H	P235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Material	—	Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Subaru	Mitsubishi
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Subaru	Mitsubishi
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Subaru Forester and 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander.

How do the horsepower figures compare between the 2025 Forester and the 2026 Outlander?

The 2025 Subaru Forester offers 180 hp, giving it a slight edge in peak power over the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander, which produces 177 hp. While both are closely matched in horsepower, the Outlander compensates with superior low-end torque.

What is the primary difference in drivetrain setup for these two crossovers?

The Forester comes equipped standard with Subaru's renowned All-Wheel Drive system, perfect for adverse conditions. Conversely, the 2026 Outlander comes standard with Front-Wheel Drive, meaning AWD may require an upgrade.

Does the base MSRP reflect any major differences in size?

Both vehicles start at an identical MSRP of $29,995, but the Outlander is dimensionally larger, measuring 185.8 inches long compared to the Forester's 183.3 inches. The Forester, however, is significantly narrower.

Which vehicle offers better efficiency based on the provided specifications?

The Subaru Forester is the clear efficiency winner with a stated combined rating of 29 MPG. While the Outlander's combined figure is not listed, the Forester's 26 city / 33 highway MPG provides a concrete benchmark.

If I plan on hauling a lot of gear, which crossover should I choose?

The 2025 Subaru Forester is the vastly superior choice for cargo, offering 29.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row. The 2026 Outlander provides only 10.9 cubic feet in its base configuration, a significant deficit.

Are both vehicles capable of using regular unleaded fuel?

Yes, both the 2025 Subaru Forester and the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander are specified to run on regular unleaded gasoline, making fuel costs consistent and accessible for both models.