TWINTEST Mitsubishi Outlander vs Subaru Forester

Review & Photos by Rob McSorley

Subaru’s Forester and Mitsubishi’s Outlander couldn't be more different yet their purpose is exactly the same. If you need to transport a family of five in comfort with enough space for luggage and live in a rural location or occasionally do a little offroading then both of these offerings could be for you. The question is which one is the better car. Read on to find out.

Looks

Neither the Outlander or the Forester are machines to lust over but they are also no embarrassment. The Outlander is clearly the bigger machine but manages to hide its bulk well. At the front Mitsubishi’s “Jet Fighter” grill and angular headlights look menacing and the sharp rear with its equally angry looking rear lights result in an eye-catching crossover that still turns heads. The Forester will definitely be the less appealing of the two for most. Its proportionally lofty roof-line make it look more like an estate car for wearers of top hats than a true crossover. The forgettable front end styling hasn't aged well either. It's a shame as the butch Impreza-style bonnet scoop will have enthusiasts salivating. Furthermore the rear is its best angle in our eyes thanks to the modern tail-lamps and twin exhausts. Pronounced wheel arches and attractive alloy wheels also help lift the design a little.

Accommodation

Mitsubishi Outlander

Subaru Forester

Cabin space in both cars is pretty much on par with enough head, leg and shoulder room for five adults with comfortable, multi adjustable, leather clad seats as standard. At 540 litres in the Outlander and 450 litres in the Forester boot space is perfectly acceptable although the Mitsubishi’s trump card is it’s two further seats that spring out from under the boot floor. It is worth noting though that they are really only really for occasional use due to the lack of leg space and thin padding, they also reduce boot space to a poultry 220 litres. That said it is always handy to have the option of carry seven passengers which you don’t get with the Forester. Both are well served for handy storage areas, the Outlander also benefits from a dual glove box  Visibility in the Forester is outstanding thanks to a generous window area and slim pillars both of which you won't find in the Outlander despite its higher driving position.

Cabin

Mitsubishi Outlander

Subaru Forester

The Forester has a decent cabin that is thoughtfully laid out with attractive white and red dials. It's well kitted and comfortable but sadly that is where the positives end. Although well built the tactile materials used feel hard and cheap to the touch with a complete lack of soft touch trim. The mass expanses of black plastic also fail to create a luxurious ambiance  That said our cars full length sunroof helps bathe the cabin with plenty of light. The Outlander couldn't be more different. Admittedly it is equally sober in appearance but the choice of materials is much more appealing to the eye and touch with plenty of squidgy surfaces, others are covered in high quality leather. The switchgear is clearly laid out and everything is where you would expect to find it. Annoyingly, unlike the Forest the Outlander’s steering column lack of reach adjustment is very disappointing although a comfortable driving position is easy enough to find.

On the Road

Despite similar power outputs from their refined diesel engines the differences between the Forester and Outlander are most evident on the road. Both ride comfortably and are refined enough for most and body roll is very well controlled most of the time. When it comes to agility Subaru's Impreza derived underpinnings, lower center of gravity and more compact dimensions pay dividends. When fed through a series of tight corners you can't ignore how good the chassis is, it always feels alert and eager to change direction and has bags of grip thanks to its symmetrical four wheel drive system. The steering is also wonderfully direct and nicely weighted but is let down by a lack of any real feedback. The boxer diesel engine is smooth, refined and punchy and emits a satisfying warble under hard acceleration. The six speed manual box is precise and pleasant to use if a touch too notchy. The Outlander is also a decent drivers car but its additional bulk results in more blunted reactions in corners and grip levels are some way behind the terrier-like Subaru. That said the steering is beautifully weighted at all speeds and is excellent at letting the driver know what the front wheels are doing. The 2.2 litre diesel powerplant has plenty of low end grunt but can sound a little rattly at times. Its six speed automatic gearbox is pleasingly smooth and usefully can be operated using the paddles on the steering column. It also has a useful Sport setting which makes swift progress a little easier.

Costs

At around £30,000 neither the Forester or Outlander are cheap but the models you see here are top of the range and come packed with kit. Both have a reversing camera, alloy wheels, touch screen sat nav, climate control, four electric windows,power fold mirrors and full electric heated leather seats. The Outlander adds rear parking sensors, automatic lights and wipers and an impressive Rockford Fosgate surround sound stereo with subwoofer. It does however miss out on the Foresters keyless entry. As you would expect both come with a host of safety kit and the coveted five star Euro NCAP safety rating. Running costs of both are quite different. Despite having permanent four wheel drive thanks to its manual gearbox the Forester is much more fuel efficient than the Mitsubishi returning on average 42 mile per gallon whilst with us.It also falls into a respectable VED Band G resulting in a bill of £170 annually.The Outlander on the other hand is hampered more by its additional bulk and 6 speed automatic transmission which resulted in a thirstier 29 miles per gallon whilst on test. Emissions are also much higher at 189 g/km, two bands higher at Band J equating to £250 per year.

Tech Data

Subaru Forester 2.0D XS NAVPLUS

Price as tested: £29,120
Engine: 2.0 litre 16v 145 bhp - Transmission: 6 Speed Manual - 0-62 mph: 10.4 secs - Maximum Speed: 116 mph
Economy: 39.2 mpg (urban) –53.3 mpg (extra-urban), 47.1 mpg (combined) - Emissions: 158 g/km (Band G) - VED (12 months): £170
Dimensions: Length: 4560 mm - Width: 1780 mm - Height: 1700 mm - Wheelbase: 2615 mm
*data from Subaru UK

Mitsubishi Outlander 2.2 DI-D GX4 SST

Price as tested: £31,029
Engine: 2.2 litre 16v 156 bhp - Transmission: 6 Speed Automatic - 0-62 mph: 11. secs - Maximum Speed: 123 mph -
Economy: 30.4 mpg (urban) –47.1 mpg (extra-urban), 39.2 mpg (combined) - Emissions: 189g/km (Band J) - VED (12 months): £250
Dimensions: Length: 4665 mm - Width: 1800mm - Height: 1680 mm - Wheelbase: 2670 mm
*data from Mitsubishi UK

DriverVIBE Verdict

There is no doubt that both the Mitsubishi Outlander and Subaru Forester are very accomplished family cars. Choosing between them is more difficult that we expected. It's clear that the Forester is designed for keen drivers and the Outlander for optimum comfort with its more family orientated cabin. If it were our money and we didn't need the occasional practicality of seven seats we would choose the Forester. Its superb on road manners, spacious cabin, impressive economy and brilliant engine really make it stand out. In addition it also comes with a far superior five year warranty verses Mitsubishi's three years. Whichever model you choose here you won't be disappointed. It's also worth noting that both the Outlander and Forester are about to be replaced by all-new models so they are only going to get better.

1st 

The Forester is clearly the more focused drivers car with its superb grip levels and agility. It is also noticeably more economical and is much cheaper to buy and run than the Outlander falling into a lower VED band. Its boxer diesel engine is a gem and pulls the car along with real verve, it also sounds fantastic. The Subaru isn't perfect though, its looks haven't aged well and the cabin lacks any real sophistication. It's also let down by steering that offers little feedback.

2nd

The Outlander is good to drive if some way behind the Forester but its trump card is its more generous equipment levels, bigger boot and those two additional seats nestled under the boot floor. It also has a vastly better interior in both design, equipment and choice of materials. To run, the Outlander is quite a bit more expensive than the Subaru as its thirstier and more expensive to tax but this isn't helped by the automatic transmission. Its also a little more expensive to buy but given that buyers are getting a bigger more accommodating car this won't be much of an issue.

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