Subaru Outback vs Toyota Highlander (2026)
Price gap, MSRP + destination
$10,920
- Outback: $10,920 cheaper, 3 mpg better.
- Highlander: 85 hp more, 3.8 cu ft more cargo.
- Each wins 6 of 13 measures.
| Measure | Outback | Highlander | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSRP + destination | $36,445 | $47,365 | Outback |
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 265 hp | Highlander |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft | Highlander |
| MPG combined | 27 mpg | 24 mpg | Outback |
| Cargo, max | 80.5 cu ft | 84.3 cu ft | Highlander |
| Cargo, seats up | 34.6 cu ft | 16.0 cu ft | Outback |
| Rear legroom | 39.5 in | 38.7 in | Outback |
| Front legroom | 43.0 in | 42.0 in | Outback |
| Length | 191.7 in | 194.9 in | Not scored |
| Width | 74.0 in | 76.0 in | Not scored |
| Curb weight | 3,741 lb | 4,376 lb | Not scored |
| Towing | 2,700 lb | 5,000 lb | Highlander |
| Seats | 5 | 7 | Highlander |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in | 8.0 in | Outback |
| 0-60 mph | 7.9 s estimate | 6.6 s estimate | Highlander |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | About the same |
Not scored: length, width, curb weight. N/A rows are not counted.
Nearest trims by price
| Trim | Nearest in price | Gap |
|---|---|---|
| Outback Premium AWD $34,995 | Highlander XLE AWD $46,270 | $11,275 |
| Highlander XLE AWD $46,270 | Outback Touring AWD $45,395 | $875 |
Cost to run
Outback costs $11,987 less over 6 years.
12,000 miles a year. Gas $3.20. Electricity 17 cents per kWh.
| Cost | Outback | Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP + destination | $36,445 | $47,365 |
| Fuel or charging, 1 year | $1,422 | $1,600 |
| Fuel or charging, 6 years | $8,533 | $9,600 |
| Total, 6 years | $44,978 | $56,965 |
Which is better for me?
Weight each group from 0 to 10. MPG uses fuel or charging cost.
Equal weights: Highlander wins.
No single weight change flips the winner.
| Group | Ahead | By |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Outback | 23% |
| MPG | Outback | 11% |
| Power | Highlander | 32% |
| Space | Highlander | 5% |
| Towing | Highlander | 46% |
Other years
What this cannot tell you
Your price and mpg will differ.
Reliability and safety are not included.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree