If you're a Subaru owner trying to decide whether to build out your Forester or Outback for car camping, you're not alone, it's one of the most common questions we get at Compass Camper. Both vehicles are beloved by the outdoor community, and both make excellent platforms for sleeping in your car. But they're not identical. Here's a detailed breakdown to help you choose.
Cargo Space: Outback Wins on Length
The Subaru Outback has a longer cargo area than the Forester, which matters a lot when you're sleeping in your vehicle. With the rear seats folded, the Outback offers approximately 75 inches of cargo length, enough for most adults to sleep fully flat without bending their knees. The Forester comes in slightly shorter at around 70 inches, which is still workable for most people under 6 feet tall.
Winner: Outback, especially for taller campers.
Cargo Width: Closer Than You Think
Both vehicles have a similar cargo width between the wheel wells, roughly 40–42 inches. This is wide enough for a comfortable sleeping platform but not quite wide enough for two people sleeping side by side. Both are best suited for solo campers or couples who don't mind sleeping head-to-toe.
Winner: Tie
Ground Clearance & Off-Road Capability
The Outback has slightly more ground clearance (8.7 inches vs. 8.7 inches on the Forester, they're actually identical on recent models). Both come standard with Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, making them capable on dirt roads, forest service roads, and light off-road terrain. Neither is a dedicated off-roader, but both handle the kind of terrain you'll encounter at most dispersed campsites.
Winner: Tie
Fuel Economy on Road Trips
The Outback edges out the Forester slightly on highway fuel economy, which matters when you're driving long distances to reach trailheads. The Outback Wilderness trim is the exception, its larger engine trades some efficiency for more power.
Winner: Outback (slightly)
Interior Height & Sitting Up in Bed
The Forester has a taller roofline than the Outback, which means more headroom when you're sitting up in your sleeping platform. If you like to read, eat breakfast, or change clothes inside your vehicle, the Forester's extra vertical space is a real quality-of-life improvement.
Winner: Forester
Ease of Conversion
Both vehicles are excellent candidates for a sleeping platform conversion. Compass Camper makes precision-fit kits for both:
- Subaru Outback Sleeping Platform & Camper Conversion Kit: designed specifically for the Outback's cargo dimensions, with storage underneath for gear.
- Subaru Forester Sleeping Platform & Camper Conversion Kit: optimized for the Forester's taller interior, giving you a comfortable flat platform with organized storage.
Both kits install without drilling or permanent modifications, so you can remove them when you need your cargo space back.
Which Should You Choose?
Here's the simple answer:
- Choose the Outback if you're tall (over 5'10"), prioritize cargo length, or do a lot of highway driving to reach your campsites.
- Choose the Forester if you value headroom, spend a lot of time sitting up inside your vehicle, or prefer a more upright SUV feel.
If you already own one of these vehicles, the good news is: both are excellent. The right sleeping platform makes either one a capable, comfortable basecamp on wheels.
Ready to Convert Your Subaru?
Browse our Subaru-specific kits and get your rig ready for spring camping season. Free shipping on orders over $99.