Compare the2025 Subaru ForesterVS 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

The Forester has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Outlander doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Subaru Forester achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Mitsubishi Outlander has not been tested.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Forester. But it costs extra on the Outlander.

Both the Forester and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Forester is much safer than the Outlander:

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Subaru Forester is safer than the Outlander:

The Subaru Forester (Vehicles built after April 2025) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Outlander is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

The Forester’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 2 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Forester’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Forester has a standard 130-amp alternator. The Outlander’s 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Subaru Forester’s reliability 28 points higher than the Outlander.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi With 44 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Mitsubishi.

The Forester’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 13 more horsepower (194 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Subaru Forester 4 cyl. is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Forester lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Outlander doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Forester gets better mileage than the Outlander:

Regenerative brakes improve the Forester Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Outlander doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Forester’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Forester has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (16.6 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Forester stops shorter than the Outlander:

The Forester has a standard space-saver spare (not available on Hybrid) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Forester Premium/Limited Hybrid’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Outlander’s (35.1 feet vs. 36.1 feet). The Forester’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Outlander’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Forester has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Outlander ES (8.7 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Forester to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Forester Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is .8 inch higher than on the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum (9.2 vs. 8.4 inches).

The Forester is 3.1 inches shorter than the Outlander, making the Forester easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Forester has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front hip room, .5 inches more rear headroom, .4 inches more rear hip room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Outlander.

The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Outlander with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 10.9 cubic feet). The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Outlander with its rear seat folded (74.4 vs. 64.3 cubic feet).

Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Outlander is limited to 2000 pounds. The Forester offers up to a 3000 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the Forester is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Outlander. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Mitsubishi. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 31% lower rating, Mitsubishi is ranked 19th.

The Forester’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Forester has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Outlander doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Forester’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Outlander has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Subaru Forester retains 62.8% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 48.85% resale value of the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander after five years, which can save the Subaru’s owner up to $4006.09367 in depreciation.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Forester as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Forester outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by over three to one during 2024.