Subaru Outback vs. Subaru Crosstrek: Evaluate Crossover SUVs

How a lot is a Subaru Crosstrek? Which Crosstrek ought to I purchase?

The Crosstrek and Outback have normal all-wheel drive in frequent, however they’re provided in a totally completely different set of trims. Each include a robust set of driver-assist security tech, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone compatibility (by way of cable), and a 3-year/36,000-mile fundamental guarantee. 

The bottom Crosstrek, for about $27,000 consists of twin local weather management, 17-inch wheels, and a spread of USB-A and USB-C ports. Premium fashions price $1,150 extra and get CarPlay and Android Auto plus a bigger 11.6-inch infotainment system, and an all-weather bundle can add heated seats and mirrors, an influence sunroof, and blind-spot screens. 

The Crosstrek Sport is the standout within the lineup, as they add the bigger 2.5-liter engine plus wi-fi cellphone charging, a sport fabric inside, and an upgraded model of Subaru’s X-Mode traction system, beginning at round $30,500. The Premium or Sport are our picks of the lineup as a result of they add a lot extra with out an enormous worth premium. 

There’s loads of room to go upscale from there, although. Crosstrek Restricted fashions step as much as 18-inch alloy wheels, an influence driver seat, and several other additional lively security gadgets (blind-spot warnings, lively lane management, and rear cross-traffic alert), including as much as round $32,000. Crosstrek Wilderness fashions are kitted out for the path in kind and performance, they usually prime out the lineup at a value of almost $34,000—earlier than the $2,240 Harman Kardon audio bundle. 

How a lot is a Subaru Outback? Which Subaru Outback ought to I purchase?

The 2025 Subaru Outback begins with a base mannequin that, for about $30,000, consists of keyless entry, adaptive cruise management with lively lane management, LED fog lights, and LED steering-responsive headlights. The bottom model comes solely with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Subsequent-up Premium fashions method $33,000 and add a extra vivid 11.6-inch infotainment display with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a better array of USB ports, and rear air flow. Push-button begin, a hands-free energy tailgate, and an expanded set of security aids (together with rear cross-traffic alerts) will be added for $1,400, and at round $34,000 it’s our price decide of the lineup. 

Onyx Version fashions begin at almost $38,000 and get a grey two-tone look with black alloy wheels and water-repellent upholstery, plus a heated steering wheel and sunroof amongst different extras. The Restricted, at round $39,000, will get a sunroof, leather-based upholstery, navigation, and a heated steering wheel. For round $41,000, the Wilderness will get a lifted suspension plus off-road {hardware} and rugged-looking styling particulars, whereas the top-of-the-line Touring provides to the Restricted particularly plush leather-based, cooled entrance seats, and a surround-view monitor. 

The Wilderness consists of the stronger 2.4-liter turbo engine, which is an possibility on the Onyx Version, Restricted, and Touring, making them the Onyx Version XT, Restricted XT, and Touring XT, respectively, at a value of a number of thousand additional. Prime Touring XT fashions prime the lineup out round $44,000. 

Benefit: The Crosstrek, if you happen to’re OK with a smaller inside. 

Crosstrek vs. Outback efficiency and specs

• A lot of Outback lineup faucets a 2.5-liter inline-4 that makes 182 hp and 176 lb-ft 

• Outback Wilderness and XT fashions get 2.5-liter turbo-4 at 260 hp and 277 lb-ft

• Crosstrek’s base 2.0-liter flat-4 makes 152 hp and 145 lb-ft

• Crosstrek Sport on up get 2.5-liter flat-4, at 182 hp and 178 lb-ft

How does the Subaru Crosstrek drive?

The Subaru Crosstrek gives a driving expertise that isn’t with out tradeoffs. But when getting by means of tough trails or deep snow is a part of your meant use, these tradeoffs are effectively value it. 

All variations of the Crosstrek have all-wheel drive, the entire time, and their X-Mode consists of hill descent management plus a special calibration for traction programs that usually provides extra finesse. Sport, Wilderness, Premium fashions with the bigger 2.5-liter engine add a Deep Snow/Mud operate that permits extra wheelspin every time it’s advantageous.

Crosstrek Wilderness variations look brawnier and extra rugged on the skin, and extra importantly they add actual off-road functionality, with extra floor clearance, higher method and departure angles, and critical {hardware} upgrades together with a transmission cooler. In addition they up the tow ranking to three,500 kilos.  

In case your driving is totally on the pavement, the Crosstrek is rather less charming. The bottom 2.0-liter engine can really feel sluggish in freeway passing with this mannequin’s CVT computerized, including as much as a 0-60 mph time above 9 seconds. Sport, Wilderness, and Premium fashions are decidedly perkier—and a bit of extra refined in impression, as they’re not as strained in typical every day driving. 

General, the Crosstrek rides effectively. Subaru has softened its experience lately and added noise insulation, though it doesn’t observe particularly effectively on the open street and may nonetheless get a bit of bouncy resulting from its comparatively quick wheelbase. 

One addendum to this comparability: a 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is on the way in which in fall 2025. Whereas Subaru hasn’t revealed particulars but about options, it’s confirmed the mannequin makes a mixed 194 hp, with a 2.5-liter flat-4 making 162 hp, paired with a Toyota-based hybrid system however providing an all-wheel drive format much like Subaru’s different automobiles.

How does the Subaru Outback drive?

• XT turbo fashions are fast, however the CVT is a poor match

• Outback lineup prioritizes a comfortable experience over sporty cornering

• Wilderness provides floor clearance, off-road driving modes

The Subaru Outback isn’t in any respect fast—downright sluggish, some would say—with its base 182-hp flat-4 and CVT computerized. Passing energy is in brief provide and may require some advance planning with a full load, however on condition that shortcoming the CVT is paired effectively with this engine.

Outback XT fashions step manner as much as a 260-hp 2.4-liter turbo flat-4 that provides a great deal of torque at decrease revs, however someway the CVT doesn’t benefit from it, resulting in momentary pauses earlier than the mix’s rush of acceleration is delivered. 

All Outbacks include all-wheel drive, however in Wilderness guise there’s 9.5 inches of floor clearance (0.8 inches greater than the opposite fashions) plus a particular model of Subaru’s X-Mode off-road logic including a low-speed crawl management. Onyx and Wilderness variations add a mode for Dust and Deep Snow.  

The Outback’s clear benefit—particularly over the Crosstrek—is that it gives up a extra settled, virtually luxurious experience high quality that holds over a variety of street surfaces. It’s not one for sporty dealing with or cornering functionality, however household consolation isn’t forgotten for any of the variations within the lineup. 

Benefit: Outback for its on-the-road refinement, Crosstrek in its compact Wilderness off-road model 

Crosstrek vs. Outback gasoline financial system

• Most Crosstreks at 29 mpg mixed (27/34 mpg with 2.0-liter, 26/33 mpg with 2.5)

• Crosstrek Wilderness drops to 27 mpg mixed (25/29 mpg)

• Outback will get 22/29/25 mpg with 2.5-liter, 26/32/28 mpg with 2.4 turbo

• Outback Wilderness drops to 21/26/23 mpg

• 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid is coming, may close to 40 mpg

Benefit: The Crosstrek.

Crosstrek vs. Outback measurement and specs

• Outback is bigger than Crosstrek in each manner referring to seating and cargo

• Crosstrek has 19.9 cubic toes of cargo area vs. the Outback’s 32.6 cubic toes 

• Crosstrek has 36.5 inches of rear legroom vs. 39.5 inches within the Outback 

• Whole inside quantity is 141.6 cubic toes in Outback, vs. 100.5 inches within the Crosstrek

How massive is the Subaru Outback?

At about 191 inches lengthy, the Outback is solidly mid-size by American requirements and suits into the type of a roomy station wagon—only one that rides a number of inches greater than virtually the rest you would possibly examine it to. With extra rugged design particulars, and an total peak of 66 or 67 inches, you would possibly liken it extra to an SUV. 

Inside, the Outback has sufficient area for 4 adults to slot in consolation, with the center seat accommodating sufficient in a pinch. Rear doorways are beneficiant, making it an excellent automotive for mounting youngster seats or making area for pets or grandparents. The wheelbase of round 108 inches helps translate to a protracted cabin and 109 cubic toes of passenger quantity. 

Cargo-wise, this can be a wagon, with a comparatively low load peak, contemplating all the bottom clearance, and a most cargo size of about 42 inches with the rear seatbacks up or 75 inches with them folded ahead. That interprets to an official cargo quantity of 32.6 cubic toes with the seatbacks up or 75.6 cubic toes with them down. 

How massive is the Subaru Crosstrek?

The Crosstrek is a whole measurement of car smaller than the Outback—and basically a compact hatchback given a really excessive experience peak and spectacular off-road functionality—so it ought to come as no shock that the again seat is decidedly smaller. The Crosstrek is about 176 inches lengthy, with a wheelbase of round 105 inches, and it’s about two inches narrower than the Outback and three inches shorter in total peak, although it has comparable floor clearance. Its cargo ground with the again seat up in place is about 32 inches lengthy—almost a foot shorter than the Outback’s—and its official cargo quantity is nineteen.9 cubic toes with the rear seatbacks up or 54.7 cubic toes with them folded.

The Crosstrek has a special entrance seating place than the Outback that is probably not as agreeable to taller drivers. It additionally gives much less kneeroom, particularly in again, and it’s a bit of extra restricted in how simply a 3rd passenger would possibly match into the center place.  

Benefit: Subaru Outback. 

Subaru Crosstrek vs. Subaru Outback security

• Outback and Crosstrek each IIHS Prime Security Picks

• Each earn five-star NHTSA total rankings

• Each fashions embody computerized emergency braking, lively lane management, and adaptive cruise management

How protected is the Subaru Crosstrek?

The Crosstrek earns a spot on the IIHS Prime Security Decide checklist and will get a prime five-star ranking from the federal authorities, though there’s a bit of bit extra nuance to type by means of.

In up to date IIHS rankings for reasonable overlap frontal and aspect impression, the Crosstrek performs at lower than the highest “good” outcomes—incomes, notably, a ranking of simply “marginal” within the up to date reasonable overlap class.  

Subaru consists of lots of normal driver-assist tech, together with computerized emergency braking, however computerized blind-spot screens and computerized emergency steering are left to higher trims. Outward imaginative and prescient is kind of good right here, and the skinny windshield pillars and door-mounted aspect mirrors assist with city visibility. 

How protected is the Subaru Outback?

The Subaru Outback earns the identical IIHS Prime Security Decide designation because the Crosstrek, and its “marginal” up to date reasonable overlap frontal outcomes, nevertheless it earns a greater “good” within the up to date aspect impression take a look at. Its normal security characteristic set can also be a bit higher, with adaptive cruise management, computerized emergency braking, and lively lane management normal throughout the lineup, and most trims together with rear cross-traffic alerts and blind-spot screens.

Rearward imaginative and prescient is usually a little tougher, so the non-obligatory surround-view digital camera system can go a good distance. 

Benefit: Outback has a slight edge.

Outback vs. Crosstrek styling

• Outback goes for goal over prettiness, nevertheless it’s a traditional form

• Crosstrek appears prefer it has the hood of an extended automotive from some angles

• Crosstrek is at its buff-hatchback finest in brawny Wilderness guise

• Interiors are utilitarian, at their finest in base or outdoorsy trims

Is the Subaru Crosstrek a handsome automotive?

Subaru hasn’t modified the form of the Crosstrek a lot in additional than a decade, though its design particulars and cladding have progressively taken on some sportier detailing that look impressed by the performance-oriented WRX. Slots within the wheel-arch molding have been made purposeful to assist minimize drag and enhance mileage, and roof rails are included in all however the base fashions. 

That stated, the Crosstrek’s form may be very standard: a compact hatchback driving excessive. It’s at its finest in Wilderness guise, the place LED fog lights, extra-rugged-looking wheels, a bit of extra physique cladding, and a bit of greater experience peak assist the design pop. 

Inside, don’t anticipate something however utilitarian; maintain it fundamental, though the distinction stitching on some variations suits the half.  

Is the Subaru Outback a handsome automotive?

The Subaru Outback punctuates a silhouette that’s recognizable as a rakish household wagon with extra floor clearance and a great deal of rugged physique cladding, and it arrives at a glance that’s purposeful and really fairly well-balanced—though calling it fairly in any manner could be a stretch. 

Inside, the Outback tries to go after luxurious aspirations in its top-tier Touring mannequin, nevertheless it’s truly at its finest inside in fashionable Onyx or rugged Wilderness kind, with the latter subbing in water-repellent material that matches proper in for with kayaks and Tevas. 

Benefit: Outback.

Which is best: Subaru Crosstrek or Subaru Outback?

Subaru has the marketplace for outdoorsy, all-wheel-drive automobiles cornered. And whereas the Crosstrek and Outback would possibly appear to be comparable automobiles throughout the seller lot, they’re fairly completely different in measurement, options, and meant use. 

Merely put, the Outback’s higher characteristic set and superior consolation, a slight edge in security, and obtainable turbo efficiency altogether earns it an edge within the TCC Ranking system over the Subaru Crosstrek, with the Crosstrek touchdown at a 5.8 out of 10 and the Outback at a 6.7 out of 10. (Learn extra about how we fee vehicles.)

Will that equation change subsequent 12 months with the addition of a Crosstrek Hybrid? Test again for an replace after we have pushed that new, higher-mpg mannequin. 

Winner: Subaru Outback.