8 Top Subaru Outback Competitors
If you’re in the market for a new wagon, the 2022 Audi A4 Allroad is just one of the top Subaru Outback competitors to consider. Click here for more.
Written by Andrea Barrett
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The classical sleek Volvo V60 Cross Country, the small but mighty Mini Clubman, and the rigged Toyota 4Runner are some of the biggest competitors for the Subaru Outback. If you’re looking for a solid station wagon or compact crossover SUV, you won’t want to miss these.
Rugged, versatile, and wildly capable, Subarus are built for adventure. They’re strong, durable, and can tackle almost anything you throw at them. But while they may perform impeccably off-road, they’re just as good on paved ground.
True to its nature, the 2022 Subaru Outback delivers comfort, class, and capability—and it’s the closest you can get to an SUV without actually being an SUV. But with a steep starting price, there are other worthy alternatives you might want to consider.
If your heart isn’t set on driving a Subaru Outback, there are plenty of other great contenders to fall for. If you’re ready to shop for the competitors,
Jerry
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app, has created a list of the top eight crossovers to consider instead of an Outback. We'll even show you how to save on your Subaru Outback insurance costs
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers1. Audi A4 Allroad
Starting price: $46,595 to $56,495
Selling points: Attractive styling, solid performance, plenty of standard equipment
Weak spot: No towing capacity, lack of Audi luxury, not as roomy
The
Audi A4 Allroad
is about as rugged as an Audi will get. With extra ground clearance and solid off-road looks, you’d think it would match the capabilities of an SUV—but it maintains more car-like qualities with a bit of extra clearance between the undercarriage and the ground. Still, its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 261 hp provides ample power and all-weather capability, while the interior offers plenty of space for passengers and cargo. But even with a slew of high-end tech features that come standard with an Audi, the A4 Allroad doesn’t quite stand neck-in-neck with other off-roaders.
Simply put, the A4 Allroad is a luxury wagon with the same capabilities as the average compact crossover—with a bit of extra flair.
2. Mini Clubman
Starting price: $30,750 to $40,350
Selling points: Agile handling, cool styling, luxury-like cabin
Weak spot: Stiff ride, subpar cargo space
While you may mistake the
Mini Cooper Clubman
for a regular old Mini, you’ll quickly realize it’s longer and taller than the standard models—but when it comes to practicality, it doesn’t quite match up with its rivals. That said, the Clubman offers athletic handling and lively acceleration from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. While it might provide a good level of performance, it does so at the expense of comfort. And all-wheel drive doesn't come standard as it does on the Outback.
However, when you start tacking on options, the Mini Clubman can easily hold its ground against luxury wagons like the A4 Allroad and the Volvo V60.
The Clubman may not compare to compact crossover SUVs in cargo capacity and interior spaciousness, but it offers more practicality than the classic Mini and is packed with a healthy dose of fun.
3. Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
Starting price: $22,790 to $30,890
Selling points: Sharp handling, massive cargo capacity, flexibility
Weak spot: Not built for off-roading
The last model of the
Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
hit the road in 2019, but if you can get your hands on a used model, you’ll thank us—that is, if you’re not keen on straying off paved roads.The SportWagen is super practical for anyone with kids, dogs, or cargo galore. It’s the classic Golf, just stretched. And with a much larger cargo hold, stellar driving dynamics, and optional all-wheel drive, it's an excellent choice for those looking for compact but still utterly capable.
While it may not match the looks of the Outback or the level of luxury of other wagon competitors, the SportWagen's abilities will leave anyone impressed. And with the option of a 1.4 or 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that comes in manual or automatic, it offers peppy acceleration, slick shifting, and an all-around athletic attitude.
4. Toyota 4Runner
Starting price: $38,940 to $50,060
Selling points: Serious off-road cred, solid towing capability, loads of active safety features
Weak spot: Gas-guzzler, subpar cabin quality
Besides the
Jeep Wrangler
, the Toyota 4Runner
might be the most rugged, off-road-ready SUV. It’s big, beefy, and embodies more of an old-school truck than a new-age SUV—its pickup truck frame is what gives it its serious off-road chops. If you’re looking for an epic adventure vehicle, the 4Runner is the next best thing to the Outback. It’s reinforced with extra underbody armor, an electronic locking rear axle, an upgraded suspension, and burly tires that will trek through almost anything. Plus, the four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive comes standard with a 270-hp V6 engine and an automatic transmission. But while the 4.0L engine may be more reliable than other off-roaders, it guzzles fuel like no tomorrow, racking in a subpar estimated fuel economy of just 17 mpg combined.
5. Jeep Grand Cherokee
Starting price: $40,120 to $66,575
Selling points: Off-road capable and on-road refined
Weak spot: High price and thirsty engine
Apart from the Wrangler, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a solid grip on the off-road market. While it may not have the same degree of off-road cred as the Wrangler, its appeal to the masses is solidified by its off-road abilities and on-road refinement with plenty of luxury features while maintaining the classic rugged feel of a Jeep.
With three available powertrains—a V6, V8, and an all-new plug-in hybrid 4xe—and a choice of three all-wheel-drive systems, the Grand Cherokee can handle anything life throws at you. Whether it’s your daily commute or sliding through mud in the bush, the Grand Cherokee has your back.
But if you’re looking for a little more luxury for your off-road adventures, there’s a quick fix: the Lux Tech Group II package. You’ll get rain-sensing windshield wipers, a wireless phone charger, perforated leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable steering column, second-row sunshades, and so much more.
6. Volvo V60 Cross Country
Starting price: $47,295
Selling points: Pure practicality and solid off-road performance
Weak spot: Stiff ride and limited trim choices
Sleek, spacious, and study, the Volvo V60 Cross Country is everything you’d want in a station wagon. While the standard V60 was discontinued in 2021, the sportier Cross Country packs an awesome punch for anyone looking for off-road ruggedness balanced with high-class luxury. With adaptive headlights, roof rails, and a punchy 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, you’ll get all the capability and functionality you’d expect from an SUV—without any clunky styling.
The Cross Country seamlessly blends luxury finishes like heated front seats and a panoramic moonroof with rugged performance features like 8.3-inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive for the perfect off- and on-road vehicle.
Plus, with an impressive list of standard safety features—blind-spot monitoring, lane departure mitigation, driver attention warnings, automated emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode—it earned itself a solid title of the
IIHS’s 2022 Top Safety Pick+
.Oh, and did we mention it comes in a hybrid powertrain?
7. Hyundai Santa Cruz
Starting price: $25,735 to $41,465
Selling points: Versatile cargo bed and excellent handling
Weak spot: Disappointing base engine and pricey for high-end models
With a funky exterior that resembles a mid-size pickup blended with a compact SUV, the
Hyundai Santa Cruz
is, without a doubt, a pickup truck. With smaller proportions and a unibody design, it may not have the towing capacity of a full-size pickup but it offers a more comfortable ride than a traditional truck and is much more nimble during turns.The entry-level 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine doesn’t do much for the Santa Cruz, but the upgraded turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 281 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque delivers added power and punchier responses for a ride much better suited to the spunky Santa Cruz.
And if you’re looking for space, the Santa Cruz has it. With 27 cubic feet of storage space from the underfloor cargo bed storage bin and an available retractable cargo bed cover, the Santa Cruz combines the comfort of a compact crossover SUV with the practicality and utility of a pickup—without the full-size expenses.
8. Ford Bronco
Starting price: $32,395 to $54,595
Selling points: Great off- and on-road capability
Weak spot: Loud, poor fuel economy
After a more than 20-year hiatus, the iconic
Ford Bronco
returned in 2021 with retro styling reminiscent of the 1965 original—now, it’s one of the most rugged and off-road capable SUVs on the market. Packed with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine generating 300 horses and 325 pound-feet of torque, who needs a V6 or V8 to power your adventures? But if you’re looking for more, the 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 packs more power. When paired with all-wheel drive and the optional Sasquatch and Everglades packages—beefier tires and other off-road enhancements—the Bronco transforms into the ultimate off-road SUV.
Subaru Outback vs. the competition
Curious to see how they all compare? Check out the chart below for a side-by-side comparison of the 2022 Subaru Outback with its biggest rivals.
Model | Starting price range | Engine options | Maximum seating capacity | Maximum cargo volume | Maximum towing capacity | Fuel economy (combined/city/highway) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Subaru Outback Allroad | $28,820 | Four-cylinder | 5 seats | 75.7 cubic feet | 3500 lbs. | 29/26/33 mpg |
Audi A4 Allroad | $46,595 | Four-cylinder | 5 seats | 58.5 cubic feet | N/A | 26/24/30 mpg |
$30,750 | Four-cylinder | 5 seats | 47.9 cubic feet | 1565 lbs. | 23/33/26 mpg | |
$22,790 | Four-cylinder | 5 seats | 66.5 cubic feet | 2000 lbs. | 25/22/31 mpg | |
$38,940 | V6 | 5 seats | 89.7 cubic feet | 5000 lbs. | 17/16/19 mpg | |
$40,120 to $76,095 | V6, V8, or plug-in hybrid 4xe | 5 seats | 70.8 cubic ft | 6200 lb | 22/19/26 mpg | |
$47,295 | Four-cylinder or hybrid | 5 seats | 31.4 cubic feet | 2000 lbs. | 25/22/31 mpg | |
$25,735 | Four-cylinder | 5 seats | 27 cubic feet | 3500 lbs. | 23/21/27 mpg | |
$32,395 | Four-cylinder or V6 | 5 seats | 52.3 cubic feet | 3500 lbs. | 20/20/21 mpg |
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Looking at the specs for the Subaru Outback’s biggest rivals before purchasing a new crossover or wagon is a big and time-consuming job. With everything there is to research, the process of buying a car can be long.
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