2025 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Subaru Forester leaps into the fray with a spirited 180 horsepower, promising a more dynamic experience behind the wheel, perfectly paired with its standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive for confidence in any weather. Conversely, the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport grabs attention immediately with its lower entry cost, starting at just $24,995, a full $5,000 less than the Forester's $29,995 MSRP. While the Forester offers superior output (180 hp vs. 148 hp) and a slightly better combined MPG rating of 29, the Outlander Sport remains compact and maneuverable at 171.9 inches long. The Forester rewards buyers with more interior space, boasting 29.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Outlander Sport's 21.7 cubic feet. For those prioritizing capability and power efficiency across their 26/33 MPG highway/city split, the Forester leads, but the Outlander Sport offers accessible AWD ownership at a significant upfront saving.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Subaru Forester
The 2025 Forester delivers better fuel economy at 29 combined MPG, leading to lower running costs for the daily drive.
2025 Subaru Forester
With 29.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity, the Forester offers significantly more room for family gear than the Outlander Sport's 21.7 cubic feet.
2025 Subaru Forester
The Forester's 180 horsepower output provides a noticeable performance edge over the Outlander Sport's 148 horsepower.
2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
The 2026 Outlander Sport undercuts the competition substantially, saving buyers $5,000 on the initial purchase price.
Choose the Subaru Forester if...
- You need the assurance of Subaru's legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive paired with 180 horsepower.
- Maximum cargo space is critical, as the Forester provides 29.6 cubic feet versus 21.7 cubic feet.
- You prioritize slightly better efficiency, achieving 33 highway MPG with the Forester.
Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport if...
- Keeping the initial outlay minimal is key, given the Outlander Sport's $24,995 base MSRP.
- You prefer a smaller footprint for tight urban parking, with the Outlander Sport measuring 171.9 inches long.
- You are satisfied with 148 horsepower and want to save $5,000 upfront versus the Forester.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Subaru Forester | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.3" | 171.9" |
| Width | 72.0" | 71.3" |
| Height | 68.1" | 64.8" |
| Wheelbase | 105.1" | 105.1" |
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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Subaru | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | flat 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 180 hp @ 5800 rpm | 148 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm | 145 lb-ft @ 4200 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 | all 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 | 23/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 29 MPG | 26 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 431.6/547.8 mi. | 363.4/458.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.6 gal. | 15.8 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Subaru | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 4 | 4 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Length | 4 months | — |
| 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. | 39.4 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.3 in. | 41.6 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 56.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.7 in. | 52.1 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 |
Rearseats
| Feature | Subaru | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.6 in. | 37.9 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.4 in. | 36.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.7 in. | 55.5 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.7 in. | 51.6 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Subaru | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.0 in | 16 x 6.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/60R H | P215/70R16 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Steel |
| Wheel Cover Type | — | Full |
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 Sport.
How much more powerful is the 2025 Forester compared to the 2026 Outlander Sport?
The 2025 Subaru Forester boasts 180 horsepower, which is a solid 32 horsepower advantage over the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport's 148 horsepower rating. This difference directly translates to quicker acceleration and a more responsive driving feel.
Is the higher price of the Forester justified by better fuel efficiency?
The Forester offers a combined MPG of 29, slightly eclipsing the Outlander Sport's 26 combined MPG, and its highway rating reaches 33 MPG. While the savings are modest, they contribute to lower lifetime ownership costs.
Which crossover offers more room for passengers and gear?
The 2025 Forester is the larger vehicle in nearly every dimension, featuring 29.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Outlander Sport’s 21.7 cubic feet. This extra space is highly beneficial for families.
Both cars feature AWD and CVT transmissions; what's the main performance difference?
While both utilize a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission and standard All-Wheel Drive, the Forester achieves a torque figure of 178 lb-ft versus the Outlander Sport’s 145 lb-ft, meaning the Subaru will feel stronger pulling away from a stop.
If budget is the top priority, why should I look at the Outlander Sport?
The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport saves you exactly $5,000 right off the lot with an MSRP of $24,995 compared to the Forester's $29,995. This significant saving allows budget-conscious buyers to acquire AWD capability.
Are there significant differences in size that affect maneuverability?
Yes, the Outlander Sport is noticeably smaller, measuring 171.9 inches in length compared to the Forester’s 183.3 inches, making the Mitsubishi easier to navigate and park in congested city environments.
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