Subaru Outback vs the field
Every head-to-head WhichTrim has scored for the Outback: 20 comparisons against 20 rivals across the 2026–2027 model years, each on price, fuel, safety, space, performance, tech and warranty from EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer data — the weights yours to change on any of them.
By rival
20 rivals · verdicts at default weightsTesla Model YModel Y leads 1–0
Honda CR-VCR-V leads 1–0
Kia SportageSportage leads 1–0
Jeep WranglerOutback leads 1–0
Kia SorentoSorento leads 1–0
Hyundai Santa FeSanta Fe leads 1–0
Hyundai Ioniq 5Ioniq 5 leads 1–0
Hyundai KonaKona leads 1–0
Kia NiroNiro leads 1–0
Kia SeltosSeltos leads 1–0
Volkswagen AtlasOutback leads 1–0
Volvo XC60Outback leads 1–0
Genesis GV70GV70 leads 1–0
Cadillac LyriqLyriq leads 1–0
Clear win 6+ points · Edge 2–6 · Toss-up under 2. Open any pair for the scorecard, the biggest gaps in words and the sliders.
Where the Outback wins and loses
20 scored head-to-headsThe Outback leads on space & cargo in 12 of 14; it trails on fuel & range in 17 of 20, performance in 11 of 14, tech & comfort in 9 of 13. Category scores are 0–100 from the data on each pair page; a lead here means the Outback scored higher in that category, whatever the weights.
| Category | Outback leads | Trails | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 5 of 13 | 8 | 0 |
| Fuel & range | 3 of 20 | 17 | 0 |
| Safety | 9 of 20 | 8 | 3 |
| Space & cargo | 12 of 14 | 2 | 0 |
| Performance | 3 of 14 | 11 | 0 |
| Tech & comfort | 4 of 13 | 9 | 0 |
| Warranty | 0 of 5 | 3 | 2 |
Common questions about the Subaru Outback head-to-heads
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the Subaru Outback or the Toyota RAV4?
Too close to call: Subaru Outback 89.5 vs Toyota RAV4 88.7 with these weights. The Toyota RAV4 is ahead on fuel & range and price. Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 3.5 and it flips. Too close to call at default weights: the 2026 Subaru Outback is nominally ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Subaru Outback vs 2026 Toyota RAV4). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the Subaru Outback or the Tesla Model Y?
The Tesla Model Y wins clearly, 100 to 68.5, on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Tesla Model Y comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2027 Subaru Outback vs 2027 Tesla Model Y). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the Subaru Outback or the Honda CR-V?
The Honda CR-V wins clearly, 97.6 to 87.3, on fuel & range, tech & comfort, performance. The Subaru Outback is ahead on space & cargo. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Honda CR-V comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2027 Subaru Outback vs 2027 Honda CR-V). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the Subaru Outback or the Chevrolet Equinox?
The Chevrolet Equinox wins clearly, 92.3 to 79.4, on fuel & range, price. The Subaru Outback is ahead on safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Chevrolet Equinox comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2027 Subaru Outback vs 2027 Chevrolet Equinox). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the Subaru Outback or the Kia Sportage?
The Kia Sportage wins clearly, 99.5 to 81.5, on tech & comfort, fuel & range, price. The Subaru Outback is ahead on space & cargo. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Kia Sportage comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2027 Subaru Outback vs 2027 Kia Sportage). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Where does the Subaru Outback win and lose against its rivals?
The Outback leads on space & cargo in 12 of 14; it trails on fuel & range in 17 of 20, performance in 11 of 14, tech & comfort in 9 of 13. Every count comes from the category scores on the pair pages linked above, which use EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press-kit data.
How does WhichTrim decide which vehicle wins?
Each of seven categories — price, fuel and range, safety, space and cargo, performance, tech and comfort, warranty — is scored 0–100 from the data on the page. Relative measures give 100 to the better vehicle and a proportional share to the other; NHTSA stars and the Safety Signal use their own scales. The overall score is the weighted mean at the default weights (price 4, safety 4, fuel 3, tech 3, space 2, performance 2, warranty 2). A margin of 6 points or more is a clear win, 2 to 6 an edge, under 2 a toss-up. Every pair page has sliders to set your own weights.