Comparative Automotive Research has identified no less than 33 advantages that the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport AWC has over the Subaru Forester.

Transmission

The Standard adaptive automatic transmission in the Outlander Sport AWC is a computer-controlled system that automatically adapts response and performance according to driving styles and road conditions. For example, the system selects optimal shift points and determines the proper gear necessary to climb steep grades or drive downhill. This type of transmission is Optional in the Forester (2.5X, 2.5X Premium).

The Outlander Sport AWC has a Standard manually interactive automatic transmission. This type of automatic transmission gives the driver complete gear control, like a manually-shifted transmission, but without the inconvenient clutch. The type of transmission is Optional in the Forester (2.5X, 2.5X Premium).

Basic Warranty

Mitsubishi's basic warranty provides better coverage than Subaru's. It covers everything except items subject to wear and tear (oil filters, wiper blades, etc.).

			Basic Warranty Months		Basic Warranty Miles
	Outlander Sport AWC		60		60000
	Forester		36		36000

Powertrain Warranty

Mitsubishi's powertrain warranty offers better coverage than the Subaru's. This warranty covers most of the parts that make the car move such as the engine, transmission, and drive axles.

			Powertrain Warranty Months		Powertrain Warranty Miles
	Outlander Sport AWC		120		100000
	Forester		60		60000

Corrosion Warranty

Mitsubishi's corrosion warranty provides better protection than Subaru's. This warranty protects against rust-through (sheetmetal perforation).

			Corrosion Warranty Months
	Outlander Sport AWC		84
	Forester		60

Fuel Economy and Emissions

The Outlander Sport AWC is more fuel efficient than the Forester. Superior fuel efficiency makes the Outlander Sport AWC both more environmentally friendly and less expensive to operate than the Forester.

			Fuel Economy Hwy		Fuel Economy City
	Outlander Sport AWC		28 mpg.		23 mpg.
	Forester 2.5X 2.5L H4		27 mpg.		21 mpg.
	Forester 2.5X Premium 2.5L H4		27 mpg.		21 mpg.
	Forester 2.5X Limited 2.5L H4		27 mpg.		21 mpg.
	Forester 2.5X Touring 2.5L H4		27 mpg.		21 mpg.
	Forester 2.5XT Premium 2.5L H4		24 mpg.		19 mpg.
	Forester 2.5XT Touring 2.5L H4		24 mpg.		19 mpg.

*Mileage statistics shown are for each vehicle with its standard transmission. Fuel economy is only compared for like engines (i.e. 4 cyl. to 4 cyl.)

The Outlander Sport AWC gets more miles from a tank of fuel than the Forester, as detailed below by trim and engine:

			Driving Distance
	Outlander Sport AWC		395 mi.
	Forester 2.5X 2.5L H4		388.7 mi.
	Forester 2.5X Limited 2.5L H4		388.7 mi.
	Forester 2.5X Premium 2.5L H4		388.7 mi.
	Forester 2.5X Touring 2.5L H4		388.7 mi.
	Forester 2.5XT Premium 2.5L H4		354.9 mi.
	Forester 2.5XT Touring 2.5L H4		354.9 mi.

Cost to Own

The base MSRP on the Outlander Sport AWC is less than the base MSRP on the Forester as shown in the table below.

			Base Price MSRP
	Outlander Sport AWC		23,295
	Forester 2.5X Limited		26,595
	Forester 2.5X Touring		27,895
	Forester 2.5XT Premium		27,095
	Forester 2.5XT Touring		29,895

Airbags

Both the Outlander Sport AWC and the Forester feature Standard driver and passenger air bags.

General Safety

The Outlander Sport AWC is equipped with Standard 4WD-PT.

Fog lights are Standard on the Outlander Sport AWC but they are Optional on the Forester (2.5X, 2.5X Premium, 2.5XT Premium). Fog lights are very effective at improving visibility in foggy and other difficult driving situations.

High intensity discharge (HID) headlights are Standard on the Outlander Sport AWC but Not Available Forester (2.5X, 2.5X Limited, 2.5X Premium, 2.5XT Premium). HID headlights offer several advantages - increased visibility due to significantly brighter light, longer lasting/more durable bulbs and much lower energy use.

The Outlander Sport AWC has Standard rain-sensing windshield wipers that are activated by rain or moisture on the windshield. This type of wiper is Not Available on the Forester.

Interior Space

The Outlander Sport AWC has more interior space than the Forester in the following areas:

			Shoulder Room, Front		Head Room, Rear		Shoulder Room, Rear
	Outlander Sport AWC		56.2 in.		37.9 in.		55.7 in.
	Forester 2.5X		56.1 in.		-		55.6 in.
	Forester 2.5X Premium		56.1 in.		37.7 in.		55.6 in.
	Forester 2.5X Limited		56.1 in.		37.7 in.		55.6 in.
	Forester 2.5X Touring		56.1 in.		37.7 in.		55.6 in.
	Forester 2.5XT Premium		56.1 in.		37.7 in.		55.6 in.
	Forester 2.5XT Touring		56.1 in.		37.7 in.		55.6 in.

Cargo Space

The Outlander Sport AWC has a Standard rear seat pass through, allowing very long items, like snow skis to be transported inside the vehicle. A rear seat pass through is Not Available in the Forester.

The Standard second row split seat allows Outlander Sport AWC owners the flexibility for both storage and passenger seating. A second row split seat is Not Available in the Forester.

Payload and Towing

The Outlander Sport AWC has a higher payload capacity than the Forester, meaning it can handle a greater total weight of passengers and cargo.

			Payload Capacity, Max		Payload Capacity, Std
	Outlander Sport AWC		1080 lbs.		1080 lbs.
	Forester 2.5XT Premium		1075 lbs.		1075 lbs.
	Forester 2.5XT Touring		1065 lbs.		1065 lbs.

Chassis

The Outlander Sport AWC is shorter than the Forester , 169.1 in. vs. 179.5 in., so it will be easier to handle and maneuver.

The Outlander Sport AWC's wheelbase is longer than the Forester's, 105.1 in. vs. 103.0 in., producing a smoother ride and more stable handling.

The Outlander Sport AWC is narrower than the Forester, 69.7 in. vs. 70.1 in., so it will be easier to maneuver and park, especially in tight parking spaces.

Wheels and Tires

The Outlander Sport AWC comes standard with lower profile, 55 series tires (height to width ratio), which may provide better handling than the 65 series tires standard on the Forester 2.5X.

In addition to the obvious cosmetic benefit of alloy wheels, they are lighter than traditional steel wheels, providing better performance. Alloy wheels are Optional on the Forester 2.5X but are offered as a Standard feature on the Outlander Sport AWC.

Additional Features

A heated front seat provides additional comfort in very cold weather. As shown below, a heated front seat is a feature found more often in the in the Outlander Sport AWC than the Forester.

			Front Heated Seat
	Outlander Sport AWC		Standard
	Forester 2.5X		Not Available
	Forester 2.5X Premium		Optional
	Forester 2.5XT Premium		Not Available

The Outlander Sport AWC features a Optional navigational aid system, providing maps, driving directions and location assistance. A navigation system is Not Available in the Forester (2.5X, 2.5XT Premium).

Illuminated vanity mirrors are Standard in the Outlander Sport AWC but Not Available in the Forester.

The Outlander Sport AWC has a Standard automatic climate control system. The system controls the temperature, fan speed, and vents to maintain a consistent environment within the passenger compartment. Automatic climate control is Not Available in the Forester (2.5X, 2.5X Premium, 2.5XT Premium).

With a Optional power sunroof, a touch of a button is all Outlander Sport AWC owners need to let the sun or the stars shine in. In contrast, bringing in the great outdoors will be more difficult in the Forester 2.5X as a power sunroof is Not Available.

Heated exterior mirrors help improve the driver's visibility. You are more likely to find heated exterior mirrors on the Outlander Sport AWC than in the Forester, as shown below:

			Heated Exterior Mirror
	Outlander Sport AWC		Standard
	Forester 2.5X		Not Available
	Forester 2.5X Premium		Optional
	Forester 2.5XT Premium		Not Available

Awards

2012 TOP SAFETY PICK AWARD: ~Insurance Institute For Highway Safety