Subaru Forester vs Subaru Outback: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Subaru Forester costs about $9,312 less

That's $129 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Forester Convenience✓ $1,024/moTrue cost

Outback Touring$1,153/moTrue cost

2026 Subaru Forester

Closest matching trim: Forester Convenience

Sticker (MSRP)$34,195

+$7,657→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$41,852

+ running costs→↓− $19,897 resale

True cost$1,024/moA month to own, after resale

2026 Subaru Outback

Closest matching trim: Outback Touring

Sticker (MSRP)$40,895

+$8,528→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$49,423

+ running costs→↓− $21,203 resale

True cost$1,153/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	✓ $34,195	$40,895	Forester by $6,700
Freight and fees, before tax	$2,842	$2,842	—
Sales tax (HST)	✓ $4,815	$5,686	Forester by $871
Drive-away price	✓ $41,852	$49,423	Forester by $7,571
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	✓ $13,727	$14,229	Forester by $502
Insurance (estimate)	$12,076	✓ $11,416	Outback by $660
Maintenance (estimate)	✓ $9,324	$9,476	Forester by $152
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	✓ $7,750	$9,343	Forester by $1,593
Lost return on your money	✓ $8,810	$10,271	Forester by $1,461
Resale after 6 yrs	−$19,897	✓ −$21,203	Outback by $1,306
Total
True cost	✓ $73,733	$83,045	Forester by $9,312
True cost a month	✓ $1,024/mo	$1,153/mo	Forester by $129
You pay each month	✓ $1,109/mo	$1,236/mo	Forester by $127
Practical
Fuel type	Gas	Gas	—
Seats	5	5	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	Not published	Not published	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	Not published	Not published	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	✓ 58%	52%	—
US crash test	5★	5★	—
European crash test	✓ 5★ (2024)	—	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Forester Convenience ✓ $34,195Outback Touring $40,895Cheaper by Forester by $6,700

Freight and fees, before tax

Forester Convenience $2,842Outback Touring $2,842Cheaper by —

Sales tax (HST)

Forester Convenience ✓ $4,815Outback Touring $5,686Cheaper by Forester by $871

Drive-away price

Forester Convenience ✓ $41,852Outback Touring $49,423Cheaper by Forester by $7,571

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Forester Convenience ✓ $13,727Outback Touring $14,229Cheaper by Forester by $502

Insurance (estimate)

Forester Convenience $12,076Outback Touring ✓ $11,416Cheaper by Outback by $660

Maintenance (estimate)

Forester Convenience ✓ $9,324Outback Touring $9,476Cheaper by Forester by $152

Loan rate

Forester Convenience 6.5%Outback Touring 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

Forester Convenience ✓ $7,750Outback Touring $9,343Cheaper by Forester by $1,593

Lost return on your money

Forester Convenience ✓ $8,810Outback Touring $10,271Cheaper by Forester by $1,461

Resale after 6 yrs

Forester Convenience −$19,897Outback Touring ✓ −$21,203Cheaper by Outback by $1,306

Total

True cost

Forester Convenience ✓ $73,733Outback Touring $83,045Cheaper by Forester by $9,312

True cost a month

Forester Convenience ✓ $1,024/moOutback Touring $1,153/moCheaper by Forester by $129

You pay each month

Forester Convenience ✓ $1,109/moOutback Touring $1,236/moCheaper by Forester by $127

Practical

Fuel type

Forester Convenience GasOutback Touring GasCheaper by —

Seats

Forester Convenience 5Outback Touring 5Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Forester Convenience Not publishedOutback Touring Not publishedCheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Forester Convenience Not publishedOutback Touring Not publishedCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

Forester Convenience ✓ 58%Outback Touring 52%Cheaper by —

US crash test

Forester Convenience 5★Outback Touring 5★Cheaper by —

European crash test

Forester Convenience ✓ 5★ (2024)Outback Touring —Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale is from used prices: the Forester from its own, the Outback typical for its type and brand. Their stickers differ by $6,700.