Subaru Forester vs. Outback – Which is Cheaper to Insure?

• At an average cost of $1,486 per year, a 2023 Subaru Forester is cheaper to insure than a 2023 Subaru Outback by an average of $32 per year.
• For a 2023 Subaru Forester, average insurance rates range from $1,378 to $1,570 per year, while insurance on a 2023 Subaru Outback ranges from $1,386 to $1,598.
• Average car insurance cost per month for the Subaru Outback is 2.4% more expensive than the Subaru Forester, at $124 versus $127, a difference of $3.

Is insurance cheaper on a Subaru Forester or Outback?

Insurance rates for a 2023 Subaru Forester average $1,486 per year, and a 2023 Subaru Outback averages $1,518 per year, making the Subaru Forester the cheaper of the two to insure.

When it comes to car insurance, the exact trim level of the model being insured can make a significant difference in the rate you pay.

For a 2023 Subaru Forester, insurance rates range from the cheapest rate of $1,378 per year for the Base AWD model up to $1,570 for the Touring AWD model.

And for a 2023 Subaru Outback, rates can range from $1,386 per year for the Base AWD model up to $1,598 for the most expensive Touring XT AWD model.

When rates are compared for both models, the most affordable model and trim level is the Subaru Forester Base AWD at a cost of $1,378 per year, and the highest-cost model and trim level is the Subaru Outback Touring XT AWD costing $1,598 per year.

For a 2023 Subaru Forester, the cheapest models to insure are the Base AWD, Premium AWD, and Sport AWD. The cheapest Subaru Outback models to insure include the Base AWD, Premium AWD, and Onyx Edition AWD.

For models prior to 2023, average car insurance rates compare as shown below. Click on any linked model year to view rates by trim level.

• 2022 Model Year – Cheaper model to insure: Subaru Forester by $86 per year
• 2021 Model Year – Cheaper model to insure: Subaru Forester by $162 per year
• 2020 Model Year – Cheaper model to insure: Subaru Forester by $160 per year
• 2019 Model Year – Cheaper model to insure: Subaru Forester by $52 per year
• 2018 Model Year – Cheaper model to insure: Subaru Forester by $30 per year
• 2017 Model Year – Cheaper model to insure: Subaru Forester by $8 per year
• 2016 Model Year – Cheaper model to insure: Subaru Outback by $100 per year
• 2015 Model Year – Cheaper model to insure: Subaru Outback by $154 per year

The next table ranks the yearly and monthly cost of car insurance for 2023 Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback models, with average rates for each trim level.

The chart below displays the average cost to insure the two models with different ages of drivers. Average insurance cost ranges from $1,358 to $2,998 per year for a 2023 Subaru Forester, and $1,386 to $3,050 for a 2023 Subaru Outback for the age groups used in the chart.

For the six trims available for the 2023 Subaru Forester, the cheapest trim to insure is the Base AWD trim at an average cost of $1,378 per year.

The 2023 Subaru Outback has nine trim levels available, with the cheapest trim to insure being the Base AWD model at an average cost of $1,386 per year, or around $116 per month.

When car insurance rates for all 15 trim levels for both vehicles are compared, the cheapest trim to insure is the Subaru Forester Base AWD at an average rate of $1,378 per year, and the most expensive vehicle to insure is the Subaru Outback Touring XT AWD costing an average of $1,598 per year.

The next two tables display trim level insurance cost averages for both 2023 models, along with an average cost for each model.

2022 Subaru Forester vs. Subaru Outback

Average car insurance on a 2022 Subaru Forester costs $1,428 per year, whereas Subaru Outback insurance costs an average of $1,514 per year. That’s a difference of $86 or 5.8%, which makes the Subaru Forester the cheaper of the two to insure.

On a monthly basis, drivers can expect the Subaru Forester to average around $119 per month for full coverage insurance, while the Outback averages about $126 per month.

The table below ranks the annual and monthly car insurance cost for 2022 Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback models, showing average cost for every trim level.

When comparing insurance cost for the 2022 Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback models, the Subaru Forester is cheaper by an average of $86 per year for this comparison year.

The rate chart below displays the average cost to insure the two models using a range of rated driver ages. Insurance cost ranges from $1,302 to $2,870 per year for a 2022 Subaru Forester, and $1,382 to $3,036 for a 2022 Subaru Outback.

How does insurance cost for a 2022 Subaru Forester compare to a Subaru Outback?

• For a 19-year-old driver, insurance on a Subaru Forester costs an average of $4,066 per year and Subaru Outback insurance costs an average of $4,318 per year, a difference of $252 per year.
• When compared to the national average car insurance rate of $1,685 per year, the Subaru Forester costs $257 less per year, while the Subaru Outback costs $171 less per year.
• For a 17-year-old driver, insurance on a Subaru Forester costs an average of $4,754 per year and Subaru Outback insurance costs an average of $5,076 per year, a difference of $322 per year.
• Having an at-fault accident could increase insurance rates by up to $580 per year for the Subaru Forester and $618 for the Subaru Outback.
• Getting a minor traffic violation could increase average rates as much as $376 per year for the Subaru Forester and $396 for the Subaru Outback.
• The cheapest 2022 Subaru Forester insurance is on the base AWD model costing $1,342 per year. The cheapest 2022 Subaru Outback to insure is also the base AWD model, costing an average of $1,354 per year.
• For an 18-year-old driver, insurance on a Subaru Forester costs an average of $4,458 per year and Subaru Outback insurance costs an average of $4,752 per year, a difference of $294 per year.

The tables below detail car insurance rates for all trim levels of 2022 Forester and Outback models. 2022 Subaru Forester insurance costs an average of $1,428 per year and the 2022 Subaru Outback insurance cost is $1,514, making the Subaru Forester cheaper by $86 per year.

2021 Subaru Forester vs Subaru Outback

For the 2021 Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback models, the Subaru Forester has cheaper car insurance rates by an average of $162 per year.

The rate chart below visualizes the average cost to insure both 2021 models for different driver ages. For a 2021 Subaru Forester, average insurance cost ranges from $1,300 to $2,868 per year. A 2021 Subaru Outback costs from $1,448 to $3,196 to insure per year.

The 2021 Subaru Forester has six trim levels available, with the cheapest trim to insure being the AWD model at an average cost of $1,362 per year, or around $114 per month. For the 11 trims available for the Subaru Outback, the cheapest 2021 model to insure is the AWD trim at a cost of $1,444 per year, or $120 per month.

When comparing car insurance rates for both models by trim level, the overall cheapest vehicle to insure is the Subaru Forester AWD at a cost of $1,362 per year. The highest-cost model and trim is the Subaru Outback Touring XT AWD costing $1,654 per year.

The next two rate tables show the cost to insure the available trim levels for both 2021 models, including the average rate for each model.

2020 Subaru Forester vs Outback

For the 2020 Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback models, the Subaru Forester has cheaper car insurance rates by an average of $160 per year.

The rate chart below displays the average cost to insure both models using a range of rated driver ages. The average car insurance cost ranges from $1,282 to $2,828 per year for a 2020 Subaru Forester, and $1,428 to $3,158 for a 2020 Subaru Outback for these driver ages.

Out of six trim levels for the 2020 Subaru Forester, the cheapest car insurance rates are on the AWD trim at a cost of $1,342 per year.

For the 11 trim levels available for the Subaru Outback, the cheapest 2020 model to insure is the AWD model at a cost of $1,424 per year, or around $119 per month.

When auto insurance rates for all 17 trims of both models are combined and sorted by cost, the lowest-cost model and trim to insure is the Subaru Forester AWD at an average of $1,342 per year. The most expensive model and trim level is the Subaru Outback Touring XT AWD at an average of $1,630 per year.

The next two tables display trim level insurance rates for each 2020 model, plus an average rate for each model. The winner for the 2020 car insurance cost comparison is the Subaru Forester.

2019 Subaru Forester vs Outback

When comparing average insurance rates for 2019 models, a Subaru Forester costs an average of $1,342 per year to insure and a Subaru Outback costs $1,394, making the Subaru Forester cheaper to insure by $52 per year.

The chart below visualizes the average cost to insure the two models for drivers aged 20 to 50. The average cost of car insurance ranges from $1,226 to $2,700 per year for a 2019 Subaru Forester, and $1,276 to $2,806 for a 2019 Subaru Outback for the illustrated age groups.

The 2019 Subaru Forester has 10 trim levels available, with the cheapest trim level to insure being the 2 AWD model at an average cost of $1,274 per year.

The 2019 Subaru Outback has six trim levels available, with the cheapest trim to insure being the 2.5I AWD model at an average cost of $1,274 per year.

When rates are compared for the 16 trim levels of both 2019 models, the cheapest trim to insure is the Subaru Forester 2 AWD at an average of $1,274 per year, and the overall most expensive vehicle to insure is the Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring AWD at an average of $1,460 per year.

The next two tables show both 2019 models and all trim levels available for each one, as well as the overall average rate for each model.

2018 Subaru Forester vs Outback

When comparing car insurance rates for the 2018 Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback models, the Subaru Forester is cheaper to insure by an average of $30 per year for this model year.

The next chart demonstrates the average cost to insure both 2018 models for drivers aged 20 to 50. The average car insurance cost ranges from $1,196 to $2,630 per year for a 2018 Subaru Forester, and $1,222 to $2,692 for a 2018 Subaru Outback for these driver ages.

Out of six Subaru Forester trim levels, the cheapest 2018 model to insure is the 2.5I AWD model at an average cost of $1,202 per year. Out of the six trims available for the Subaru Outback, the cheapest 2018 trim to insure is the 2.5I AWD model at a cost of $1,196 per year, or around $100 per month.

When comparing rates by trim level for both models, the cheapest vehicle to insure is the Subaru Outback 2.5I AWD at an average of $1,196 per year. The overall most expensive vehicle to insure is the Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring AWD costing an average of $1,470 per year.

The tables below display average car insurance rates for every trim level for both 2018 models, as well as an average rate for each model.

2017 Subaru Forester vs Outback

When comparing average insurance rates for the 2017 Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback models, the Subaru Forester is cheaper by an average of $8 per year for this model year.

The chart below shows the average cost to insure both 2017 models rated for a variety of different driver ages. Insurance cost ranges from $1,148 to $2,522 per year for a 2017 Subaru Forester, and $1,158 to $2,542 for a 2017 Subaru Outback for the included driver ages.

For the 13 trims available for the 2017 Subaru Forester, the cheapest trim level to insure is the 2.5I AWD trim at an average cost of $1,150 per year. The 2017 Subaru Outback has six trims available, with the cheapest trim to insure being the 2.5I AWD model at an average cost of $1,150 per year.

When all 19 trims of both models are combined and compared, the cheapest vehicle to insure is the Subaru Forester 2.5I AWD at an average of $1,150 per year, and the most expensive model and trim level is the Subaru Outback 3.6 Touring AWD at a cost of $1,356 per year.

The next two tables display trim level insurance rates for each 2017 model, along with the average rate for each model. The 2017 Subaru Forester comes out on top over the 2017 Subaru Outback for the cheapest overall car insurance rates.

2016 Subaru Forester vs Outback

When comparing insurance cost for 2016 models, the Subaru Forester costs an average of $1,288 per year to insure and the Subaru Outback costs $1,188, making the Subaru Outback the winner by $100 for the 2016 comparison year.

The rate chart below shows the average cost to insure the two models with different driver age groups. For a 2016 Subaru Forester, average car insurance cost ranges from $1,178 to $2,578 per year for the example age groups. A 2016 Subaru Outback costs from $1,088 to $2,386 to insure per year.

Out of 13 trims for the 2016 Subaru Forester, the cheapest average insurance prices are on the 2.5I AWD trim at a cost of $1,182 per year. The 2016 Subaru Outback has four trim levels available, with the cheapest trim to insure being the 2.5I 4WD trim at an average cost of $1,112 per year, or about $93 per month.

When car insurance rates for all 17 trims of both models are combined and sorted by cost, the cheapest model and trim level to insure is the Subaru Outback 2.5I 4WD at an average rate of $1,112 per year, and the most expensive trim is the Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring Navigation AWD costing an average of $1,350 per year.

The tables shown below display average car insurance cost by trim level for a 2016 Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback, as well as an average rate for each model.

2015 Subaru Forester vs Outback

For 2015 Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback models, the Subaru Outback is cheaper to insure by an average of $154 per year for this model year.

The rate chart below demonstrates the average cost to insure both models with different driver age groups. For a 2015 Subaru Forester, insurance cost ranges from $1,114 to $2,428 per year for the age groups used in this illustration. A 2015 Subaru Outback costs from $974 to $2,124 to insure per year.

Out of 13 Subaru Forester trim levels, the cheapest 2015 trim to insure is the 2.5I AWD trim at an average cost of $1,126 per year. The 2015 Subaru Outback has four trim levels available, with the cheapest trim level to insure being the 2.5I 4WD trim at an average cost of $1,030 per year, or about $86 per month.

When average car insurance prices for all 17 trims of both models are combined and sorted by cost, the lowest-cost model and trim to insure is the Subaru Outback 2.5I 4WD at an average rate of $1,030 per year, and the most expensive trim is the Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring AWD at an average cost of $1,282 per year.

The two tables below illustrate average cost to insure each trim level for a 2015 Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback, plus an average rate for each model.

Additional Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback Resources

• Subaru Forester Insurance Rates
• Subaru Outback Insurance Rates
• Small SUV Insurance Rate Comparisons
• Midsize SUV Insurance Rate Comparisons