Can someone explain why this forester weighs 900pds less but has more ground clearance, taller, more legroom, more shoulder room, more cargo capacity? I'm a big guy and usually have kids behind me so this is why I'm comparing it to my wifes 2006 ML350. I'm looking into a third vehicle since the AMG is small I need something bigger and better on gas.

ML350 specs from motortrend

Exterior dimensions: 188.5 in. overall length, 75.3 in. overall width, 69.8 in. overall height, 7.0 in. ground clearance, 114.7 in. wheelbase, 64.0 in. front track, 64.1 in. rear track and 38.6 ft. curb-to-curb turning circle

Weights: gross vehicle weight (lbs): 6,239, published curb weight (lbs): 4,570, gross trailer weight braked (lbs): 5,000 and payload allowance (lbs): 1,420

Interior dimensions: 39.9 in. front headroom, 39.8 in. rear headroom, 42.2 in. front leg room, 40.0 in. rear leg room, 58.3 in. front shoulder room and 58.2 in. rear shoulder room
Cargo capacity: 72.4 cu. ft. w/rear seat down and 29.4 cu. ft. all seats in place

2014 Forrester specs from motortrend

xternal dimensions: overall length (inches): 180.9, overall width (inches): 70.7, overall height (inches): 68.2, ground clearance (inches): 8.9, wheelbase (inches): 103.9, front track (inches): 60.9, rear track (inches): 61.1 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 34.8

Weights: published curb weight (lbs): 3,624 and gross trailer weight braked (lbs): 1,500

Cargo capacity: rear seat down (cu ft): 68.5, all seats in place (cu ft): 31.5 and EPA

Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 40.0, rear headroom (inches): 37.5, front hip room (inches): 53.9, rear hip room (inches): 53.0, front leg room (inches): 43.0, rear leg room (inches): 41.7, front shoulder room (inches): 57.0 and rear shoulder room (inches): 56.5

 

14.8 1/4 mile with 250hp and 28mpg highway for the subie.

 

Its exactly that size because thats what the Mercedes-Benz designers decided to make. If you want bigger then you should be looking at a GL.

 

Probably weighs more because it is bigger (look at exterior, not interior measurements), carries more weight, tows more weight, has heavier sheet metal and better sound dampening.