Compare the2026 Subaru OutbackVS 2025 Toyota Rav4

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Outback has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Rav4 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Subaru Outback achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Toyota Rav4 which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Outback. But it costs extra on the Rav4.

The Subaru Outback’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Toyota Rav4 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

The Outback has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Rav4’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Outback has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Toyota charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Rav4.

Both the Outback and the Rav4 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, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Outback is much safer than the Rav4:

	Outback	Rav4
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	114	307
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Subaru Outback is safer than the Rav4:

	Outback	Rav4
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	87	120
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Torso Max Deflection	.75 in	1.34 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	7 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	513 lbs.	1093 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head Injury Criterion	144	542
Head Peak Forces	no contact	104 G’s
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	312 lbs.
Neck Compression	112 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	469 lbs.	692 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL

The Subaru Outback has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The Rav4 is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Outback has a standard 150-amp alternator (190-amp - Outback XT). The Rav4’s standard 100-amp alternator and largest (optional) 130-amp alternator aren’t as powerful.

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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

Engine

The Outback XT/Wilderness’ standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 57 more horsepower (260 vs. 203) and 93 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 184) than the Rav4’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Outback XT/Wilderness 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Toyota Rav4:

	Outback	Rav4
Zero to 60 MPH	6.3 sec	8.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	16.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96.4 MPH	83.8 MPH

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 Rav4 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

Regardless of its engine, the Outback’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Toyota only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Rav4 LE AWD/XLE/XLE Premium.

The Outback has 3.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Rav4 (18 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

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 Rav4 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Outback’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Rav4:

	Outback	Rav4
Front Rotors	12.4 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11.1 inches

The Outback’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Rav4 are solid, not vented.

The Outback stops much shorter than the Rav4:

	Outback	Rav4
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	134 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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 Rav4; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

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 Rav4’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Outback’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the Rav4 (108.1 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

The Outback Touring XT handles at .81 G’s, while the Rav4 4WD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Outback Touring XT executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Rav4 Limited (27.2 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Outback has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Rav4 LE/XLE (8.7 vs. 8.4 inches), allowing the Outback to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outback Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is .9 inch higher than on the Rav4 XLE Premium/Limited (9.5 vs. 8.6 inches).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Outback Touring XT is quieter than the Rav4 4WD:

	Outback	Rav4
At idle	38 dB	41 dB
Full-Throttle	71 dB	78 dB
70 MPH Cruising	68 dB	70 dB

Passenger Space

The Outback has 13.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Rav4 (112.3 vs. 98.9).

The Outback has 1.5 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front hip room, .1 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom, 7.4 inches more rear hip room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Rav4.

Cargo Capacity

The Outback has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Rav4 with its rear seat folded (80.5 vs. 69.8 cubic feet).

The Outback’s cargo area is larger than the Rav4’s in almost every dimension:

	Outback	Rav4
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	42.8”/75.9”	40”/73.4”
Min Width	43.3”	39.4”
Height	34.1”	36.6”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Outback’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Rav4 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The Outback’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Rav4’s (2700 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Toyota Rav4 is only 1500 pounds. The Outback offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Outback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Rav4. 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 Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 38% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 24th.

Ergonomics

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 Rav4 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Safety Connect™ can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Outback has standard Keyless Access and Start that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Rav4 XLE/Limited offers a Smart Key System.

The Outback’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Rav4’s power window (except driver window), power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Outback’s standard variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Rav4 LE’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Outback has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Rav4 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Outback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Rav4 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Outback’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Toyota charges extra for heated mirrors on the Rav4.

When the Outback with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Rav4’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Outback’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Rav4 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Subaru Outback and Toyota Rav4 offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Outback offers optional power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Rav4’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru Outback and the Toyota Rav4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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