2017 Subaru Forester vs Subaru Outback

What's the difference?

The Subaru Forester has been a dependable, popular best-seller for the Japanese brand for over two decades. A boxy, practical machine, it's far less interested in the fashion for sleek-looking lifestyle SUVs and rather more keen on function.

Along with the Nissan X-Trail, it is by far the most capable off-roader in its class, but has proven itself comfortable and capable on road as well. It might be getting on a bit in years, but with a new Impreza and XV the priority for Subaru, the Forester continues to be a popular machine on Australian roads.

Australians get a pretty good deal from Subaru. We have not one but two cars named especially for us. The Liberty is known everywhere else as Legacy and frankly, I reckon we got the better name, so we can thank that venerable veteran's organisation for that one.

Second is the Outback. Essentially a jacked-up Liberty station wagon, Subaru obviously liked the name and so we got our second Australian-themed moniker, this time exported all over the globe. The Americans are particular fans of this one.

It's no secret Australians love a wagon that can go places (we're not alone in that regard, just make sure you call it an SUV if it looks like one!), and as the Outback has evolved it has leaned towards being more rugged, a bit like what Subaru has done with the Forester.