Compare the2026 Subaru OutbackVS 2026 Volvo XC60

The Subaru Outback’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Volvo XC60 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Outback and the XC60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the Outback 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC60. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC60 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Outback’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 71 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Volvo With 30 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Volvo.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 15th.

The Outback XT/Wilderness’ standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (260 vs. 247) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 266) than the XC60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Outback lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The XC60 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Outback 2.5i 2.5 DOHC flat-4 gets better fuel mileage than the XC60 B5 AWD running its gasoline engine (25 city/31 hwy vs. 23 city/30 hwy).

Both the Outback and the XC60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Outbacks have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The XC60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Outback uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on Outback XT/Wilderness for maximum performance). The XC60 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Outback has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The XC60 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Outback Wilderness has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the XC60; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The front and rear suspension of the Outback uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Outback offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The XC60’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the Outback’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the XC60’s (36.5 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outback has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XC60 (8.7 vs. 8.5 inches), allowing the Outback to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outback Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 1 inch higher than on the XC60 (9.5 vs. 8.5 inches).

The Subaru Outback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 700 pounds less than the Volvo XC60.

The front grille of the Outback uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The XC60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Outback has 9.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC60 (112.3 vs. 103).

The Outback has 3 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front legroom, 2.5 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC60.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Outback’s rear seats recline. The XC60’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Outback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC60 with its rear seat up (34.6 vs. 22.4 cubic feet). The Outback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC60 with its rear seat folded (80.5 vs. 63.3 cubic feet).

The Outback’s cargo area is larger than the XC60’s in every dimension:

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Outback’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XC60 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The engine in the Outback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 36% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 23rd.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Outback’s exterior PIN entry system. The XC60 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Volvo On Call can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Outback has standard extendable sun visors. The XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Outback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XC60 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Outback is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the XC60, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the Outback offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the XC60.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the Outback equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The XC60, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Subaru Outback empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

The Subaru Outback outsold the Volvo XC60 by over four to one during 2024.