Subaru Forester vs Mitsubishi Outlander

If you're in the market for a crossover SUV, you've noticed both the 2018 Subaru Forester and the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. Both vehicles have a lot to offer their prospective buyers, but which one is right for you?

Drivers in Syracuse, Liverpool, and Oneida can learn the key differences when comparing the Subaru Forester vs. Mitsubishi Outlander in this article from our team at Bill Rapp Subaru. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to our team today.

Subaru Forester vs Outlander Performance

The 2018 Subaru Forester is available with two engines: a 170-horsepower 2.5L BOXER® 4-cylinder engine and a 250-horsepower 2.0L turbocharged BOXER® engine. The lower trim levels are equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, but the upper trims are paired to a Lineartronic® Continually Variable Transmission that gets the best performance out of the Forester engines. In either case, the Subaru Forester has nimble handling, strong steering, and an all-wheel-drive system that is equally surefooted on slippery roads or rough trails.

The Outlander is equipped with only one engine, a 2.4L 4-cylinder motor with a 166-horsepower output. This engine is capable, but it lags under the considerable weight of the 2018 Outlander. This engine comes with a continuously variable transmission that's smooth and consistent, but it does little to extract power from the engine for highway speeds or passing power.

Subaru Forester vs Mitsubishi Outlander Interior

The Forester has an interior geared toward utility, with a high seating position for visibility, a ton of passenger space, and a dash design that creates airiness in the cabin. The seats are heavily bolstered and supportive, with soft-touch, durable materials that enhance the overall riding experience. There's also a reclining feature for the rear, as well as one-touch folding rear setbacks for convenient loading. With the seats upright, the 2018 Forester has 34.4 cubic feet of space, which opens to 74.7 cubic feet when folded.

The Outlander received some interior updates to improve its materials and design. The first and second rows are comfortable for adults, but the third row is only suitable for children. With the seats upright, the Outlander only offers 10.3 cubic feet of space, which opens to 34.2 cubic feet with the second row folded. With all seats folded, the cargo area is 63.3 cubic feet.

Technology Features

All Forester models include Bluetooth® connectivity, steering-wheel-mounted controls, a rearview camera, and a 6.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, the best technology in the Subaru Forester is its safety systems, which feature EyeSight® technology. With these driver-assist features, you'll get:

• Adaptive Cruise Control: This forward-thinking system adjusts your speed to maintain your preset distance from the car ahead of you.
• Lane Keep Assist and Sway Warning: By monitoring your position on the road, this safety feature alerts you if you start to drift from your lane.
• Pre-collision Braking System: In an emergency situation, this system will alert you or apply full braking force, helping to reduce or avoid a frontal impact.

However, that's not all of the safety systems included in the Subaru Forester. Other safety features include Blind-Spot Detection, High Beam Assist, Reverse Automatic Braking, and Vehicle Dynamics Control.

The Outlander has a rearview camera, Bluetooth® connectivity, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and dual-zone climate control. Other features, such as a power-adjustable driver's seat and heated seats, are available for higher trim levels. When it comes to the Mitsubishi Outlander safety features, it does offer optional automatic high beam headlights, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Forward Collision Mitigation. However, similar safety systems on the Forester come standard on a higher trim level.

Test Drive the 2018 Subaru Forester at Bill Rapp Subaru

We hope this comparison between the Subaru Forester vs. Mitsubishi Outlander has brought you closer to choosing which vehicle is right for you. Due to its powerful engines, spacious cargo area, and EyeSight® technology, we believe that the Subaru Forester may be the better fit for many drivers.

Drivers in Syracuse, Oneida, and Liverpool can learn more about the 2018 Subaru Forester by visiting Bill Rapp Subaru or browsing our full inventory online. Call or come by today to schedule your test drive. We look forward to working with you!