The Subaru Outback is one of the most versatile mid-size crossover SUVs on the market. It comes in different variants such as the Touring XT and the Limited XT. Likewise, it features symmetrical all-wheel drive and up to 9.5 inches of ground clearance, standing tall on 18-inch wheels. Thanks to its adaptive dampers, it is known for its rugged capability, daily driving, and refined ride. It is powered by a 2.5L engine or a 2.4L turbocharged engine in some variants. While the Subaru Outback is a solid car, it has many compelling rivals. There are many cars similar to the Subaru Outback on the market, all of which offer a mix of all-wheel-drive confidence, good ground clearance, generous cargo space, and, most importantly, comfort.
1. Subaru Ascent
Let’s start with a familiar face from the Subaru family, the Subaru Ascent. The Subaru Ascent stands out among cars similar to the Subaru Outback. Ascent delivers a comfortable ride with its spacious design and generous cargo space. Also, it’s perfect for light outdoor adventures, road trips, and daily driving. Ascent and Outback share similar rugged styling, all-wheel drive, and similar ground clearance. The difference between these two vehicles is that the Ascent is a large 3-row vehicle, while the Outback is a 2-row vehicle. So you can say Ascent is a bigger lookalike of Outback.
Under the hood of the Subaru Ascent is a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces up to 260 horsepower. It is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which offers an exciting performance. Ascent’s fuel efficiency of 20mpg in the city and 26mpg on the highway is just right for its size, as it is designed for daily driving. Inside the vehicle is a solid infotainment system with a large touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Safety is a priority with the Subaru vehicle, as the Ascent also features Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance suite. This suite includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.
2.Subaru Crosstrek
Here’s another member of the Subaru family that looks like the Subaru Outback, but this time, a smaller version of the Outback. The Subaru Crosstrek is a compact SUV. Like the Ascent, it is similar to the Outback in its look, ruggedness, ground clearance, and standard symmetrical all-wheel drive. Although small, the Crosstrek has just enough space, perfect for everyday driving needs, and is one of the best cars for young adults.
Most Subaru Crosstrek models are powered by a 2.0- or 2.5-liter four-cylinder base engine, with horsepower ranging from 152 to 182, depending on the trim. Its fuel efficiency is one of its highlights. The 2.0L engine offers EPA-estimated fuel efficiency of 27/34/29 mpg in the city, highway, and combined, respectively. The 2.5L engine offers 26/33/29 mpg in the city, on the highway, and combined, respectively. Just like other Subaru vehicles, the Crosstrek comes standard with Subaru EyeSight safety technology, which helps ensure a safe ride.
3. Toyota Rav4
The Toyota Rav4 continues to be one of the most popular options among SUVs similar to the Subaru Outback. This is not surprising as it offers a similar look, comfort, and efficiency. Rav4 features a spacious interior, a smooth ride, and flexible cargo space, just like the Outback, also making them among the best cars for families. Equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing up to 203 horsepower, the Rav4 provides fantastic performance. Unlike the Outback’s CVT, the Rav4 is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
However, like the Subaru Outback, the Toyota RAV4 offers solid fuel efficiency. Its EPA-estimated economy is 27 city/35 highway/30 combined. The infotainment system features a modern touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also features Toyota’s Safety Sense package that comes standard and includes pre-collision braking, lane tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, and road sign recognition.
4. Mazda CX-50
Although a competitor, the Mazda CX-50 is one of the cars similar to the Subaru Outback. They are similar in terms of all-wheel-drive (AWD) design, functionality, and ruggedness. It’s a compact SUV but a direct competitor of the Outback. CX-50 offers a more premium, sporty, powerful driving experience, and a better off-road capability.
The CX-50 interior offers a clean, modern design with advanced tech, infotainment, and safety features. It comes with a 10-inch infotainment screen that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The higher trim level of this vehicle offers an even better audio system. Its safety tech features include the adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, and blind-spot monitoring, giving it a similar profile to the Subaru Outback. For cargo, things are quite different: the CX-50 has less cargo space than the Outback, which is not surprising given that it’s a compact SUV.
Under the hood is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering up to 187 horsepower. It also has an optional turbocharged engine delivering up to 256 horsepower. The Mazda CX-50 is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, which contribute to its off-road capability. When comparing their fuel economy, the CX-50 is much lower than the Outback, with EPA-estimated 23-25 mpg in the city, 29-31mpg on the highway, and 25-38 mpg combined, depending on the engine type.
5. Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is a compact SUV that is a bit more urban-oriented than the Outback. It is a good vehicle for buyers looking for comfort and modern tech. Tucson is similar to Outback in terms of versatility, interior, and ample cargo space, but somewhat different in exterior design. While Outback features a more rugged capability, Tucson features a more powerful drivetrain and better fuel efficiency.
Tucson is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder base engine that produces up to 187 to 268 horsepower, depending on the engine type. It is combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In its segment, it shines with its fuel economy offering roughly 28mpg combined. The best part is that it offers a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid variant, which the Outback does not. This makes it a better alternative for those looking for hybrid options.
Inside recent Tucson models, the infotainment system is updated and modern. It features a large 12.3-inch touchscreen that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This system can also be integrated with several third-party apps for a connected driving experience.
6. Mitsubishi Outlander
Being a compact-to-midsize crossover, the Mitsubishi Outlander is one of the cars similar to the Subaru Outback. Although they are similar in size, they have different seating features. While Outback offers a 2-row 5-seater, the Outlander succeeds it with its 3-row 7-seater. Under the hood of the Mitsubishi Outlander is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT transmission. Just like Outback, Outlander also offers All Wheel Drive for off-road driving.
One of the compelling parts of the Outlander that will make buyers pick it over the Outback is the larger passenger volume, with its three-row seating. This feature may be appealing to buyers with a large family. Just like every other vehicle in its segment, Outlander comes with a touchscreen display that connects well with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It comes with safety features such as forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, and automatic braking.
7. Honda CRV
Honda CRV is one of the most commonly mentioned cars similar to the Subaru Outback. It blends functionality, comfort, and efficiency into a compact SUV package. It’s perfect for daily driving, family use, and light adventures. Although not as rugged as the Outback, the CRV delivers solid performance. It is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces up to 190 horsepower, paired with a CVT transmission. It also has a hybrid version that can deliver up to 204 horsepower and way better efficiency, roughly 40 mpg combined.
When it comes to cargo space, the CR-V has a slightly bigger cargo space, with its 76.5 cu-ft topping the Outback’s 75.6 cu-ft cargo space. Equipped with an infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, your drive can become far from boring. In higher trims, you can find features like wireless charging and digital gauges. Safety features include the Honda Sensing package, which offers adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, collision mitigation, and more.
8. Toyota Crown Signia
The Toyota Crown Signia has a very bold exterior with a stylish silhouette, just like the Outback. It also offers a two-tone exterior color. Its beautiful exterior features a stunning grille, sleek curves, and integrated LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and high-beam headlights. Toyota Crown Signia is very similar to the Subaru Outback in both form and function. They are both two-row midsize crossover wagons with a standard AWD and share a similar towing capacity. While they have a similar form and functions, the Toyota Crown Signia differs from the Outback in terms of ground clearance. Crown Signia offers 6.7 inches of ground clearance, while the Outback offers much higher ground clearance of 8.7 to 9.5 inches.
When it comes to performance, Crown Signia offers exhilaration, powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder hybrid engine that delivers up to 240 horsepower. The Subaru Outback also has a similar 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces about 260 horsepower. However, it is not a hybrid vehicle, nor does it have a hybrid variant. Signia features an electronic in-demand All Wheel Drive that gives you more confidence when you drive and helps you optimize fuel efficiency. Signia has a towing capacity of 2,700 lbs, comparable to the Outback.
One of its standout features is its tranquil interior, which offers a roomy cabin and a great first impression. Likewise, the interior is engineered to reduce noise from outside the vehicle, providing optimal tranquility. Right in the cabin are the tech features for an enjoyable ride. The interior features a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, a six-speaker stereo for good music and podcasts, and wireless charging, to name a few. Regarding safety, Crown Signia features a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and front cross-traffic alert, as well as front and rear parking assist with automatic braking.
9. Kia Sportage X-Pro
Under the hood, the Sportage X-Pro is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 187 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While that is sufficient for an everyday drive, the Subaru Outback offers a powerful 2.4-liter direct-injected turbocharged boxer engine delivering up to 260 horsepower. This makes it a better choice when it comes to performance and acceleration.
Both vehicles feature a clean interior and modern infotainment systems. These include a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. Likewise, they offer similar safety features, including automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, highway driving assist, and parking sensors.
Just like most cars in this category, Sportage X-Pro features a bold stance that makes heads turn as you drive. The exterior features a distinctive wheel design, an eye-catching headlight, and a high-utility roof rail. The Outback leans more heavily into its off-road identity, with a more standard all-wheel-drive system and slightly higher ground clearance on certain trims. The Sportage X-Pro, on the other hand, prioritizes a smooth, refined on-road ride and a contemporary interior.
10. Volvo V60 Cross Country
Volvo V60 Cross Country is one of the cars similar to the Subaru Outback, with its off-road capability perfectly paired with comfort. Just like the Outback’s 8.5-inch ground clearance, the V60 has good ground clearance ranging between 8.1 and 8.3 inches. This makes it a solid competitor when it comes to exploring rough terrains like gravel roads and cold weather. Likewise, the Volvo V60 Cross Country has a wagon-like body similar to the Outback’s, which differs from many SUVs in its category.
The luxurious interior shows that you can have luxury and ruggedness in one package. The interior features a premium comfort and European styling that offers a tranquil cabin. The vehicle features an intuitive infotainment system that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for a connected car ride. The V60 designers did not compromise on safety, as the vehicle offers automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and an adaptive cruise control.
Did someone say performance? V60 features a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. Its engine can deliver about 245 horsepower, which is similar to the Outback’s 260 horsepower. It offers smooth, quick acceleration, reaching 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds, which is close to the Outback’s 6.1 seconds. Volvo V60 Cross Country fuel efficiency is competitive as it offers an estimated EPA of 26mpg combined.
11. Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue is another compact SUV that can be grouped with cars similar to the Subaru Outback in terms of everyday versatility. Powered by a 1.5-liter engine, Nissan Rogue delivers up to 201 horsepower and 225lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a CVT and has an EPA rating of about 30 mpg city and 37 mpg highway, which vary by trim level and drivetrain.
Nissan Rogue features a well-equipped interior with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a roomy cargo area and passenger space. Likewise, it comes with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite that features forward collision warning, blind-spot warning, lane departure alert, and other safety features. Newer Nissan Rogue trims feature advanced tech like Pro Pilot Assist for hands-on freeway driving. Although it won’t rival Outback’s ground clearance, Rogue is still a solid competitor.
Conclusion
If you’re shopping for cars similar to the Subaru Outback, the good news is that there are plenty of alternatives worth considering. From the adventure-ready options like the Mazda CX-50 to comfort-focused crossovers like the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, and Nissan Rogue, today’s market offers something for every type of driver. All you need is to be sure of what you want in a car and go for it.
