2025 Subaru Outback vs. 2025 Toyota Highlander

The Outback spans 182 / 260 horsepower and 9 mapped trim positions; the Highlander spans 243 / 265 horsepower and 9. The better fit depends on the exact powertrain, drivetrain and equipment path. This comparison weighs powertrain range, drivetrain, trim structure, capability, seating & cargo, using each vehicle's own verified manufacturer and EPA-sourced facts instead of a single averaged rating. The Outback carries 9 mapped trim positions and 3 linked sources; the Highlander carries 9 and 3, so either side can be verified against its own primary record instead of taken on this page's summary alone. Configuration, not badge name, decides which one actually fits. Check the exact trim and powertrain before treating either vehicle's specification as settled.

Checked Aug. 17, 2026United States specifications6 linked sources

Decision fieldSubaru OutbackToyota Highlander

Power182 / 260 hp243 / 265 hp

DrivetrainStandard AWDFWD / AWD

Trim map9 published positions9 published positions

Seating57 or 8

Powertrain contextPowertrain: 2.5L flat-four or 2.4L turbo flat-four · Output: 182 / 260 hpPowertrain: 2.4L turbo gas or 2.5L hybrid · Output: 243 / 265 hp

Towing contextThe most the 2025 Subaru Outback is published to tow is 2,700 / 3,500 lb.The most the 2025 Toyota Highlander is published to tow is 3,500 / 5,000 lb.

Ranges and maximums describe family-level possibilities. Open each vehicle record before treating a number or feature as applicable to a particular trim.

What separates them

Four decisions that change the answer.

This comparison does not force a universal winner. It identifies the configuration question that matters for each use case.

Powertrain range

Outback: Powertrain 2.5L flat-four or 2.4L turbo flat-four; Output 182 / 260 hp. Highlander: Powertrain 2.4L turbo gas or 2.5L hybrid; Output 243 / 265 hp.

Drivetrain

The Outback is represented with Standard AWD; the Highlander with FWD / AWD. Standard status must be checked by trim.

Trim structure

The Outback comes in 9 trims and the Highlander in 9. Package combinations can create additional builds.

Capability

The most the 2025 Subaru Outback is published to tow is 2,700 / 3,500 lb. The most the 2025 Toyota Highlander is published to tow is 3,500 / 5,000 lb.

Seating & cargo

The 2025 Subaru Outback seats 5 (midsize crossover). The 2025 Toyota Highlander seats 7 or 8 (three-row SUV).

Model-year note: the Subaru Outback figures below come from EPA's 2027 records, the nearest model year EPA lists for it; the Toyota Highlander figures below come from EPA's 2026 records, the nearest model year EPA lists for it.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Subaru Outback: 3 records · Toyota Highlander: 3 records.

Decision field	Subaru Outback	Toyota Highlander
Exact EPA records	3	3
Model / option labels	2	3
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	2.4L 4-cyl SIDI, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI	2.4L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Hybrid
Transmissions	Automatic (AV-S8)	Automatic (AV-S6), Automatic (S8)
Fuel types	Regular	Regular
EPA classes	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Combined efficiency	23–27 MPG/MPGe	24–35 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$2400–2800 per year	$1850–2700 per year

Head to head

Subaru Outback vs. Toyota Highlander: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Subaru Outback	Toyota Highlander
Horsepower	180-260 hp	265 hp
Torque	178-277 lb-ft	310 lb-ft
Curb weight	3,741-3,982 lb	4,376-4,453 lb
Length	191.7 in	194.9-197.4 in
Wheelbase	108.1 in	112.2 in
Cargo volume	80.5 cu ft	n/a
Towing capacity	n/a	5,000 lb
Seating	5 seats	7-8 seats
Basic warranty	3 years	3 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

On peak horsepower, the Toyota Highlander leads: 265 hp against 260 hp.
On peak torque, the Toyota Highlander leads: 310 lb-ft against 277 lb-ft.
The Subaru Outback is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 3,741 lb against 4,376 lb.
On length, the Toyota Highlander leads: 197.4 in against 191.7 in.
On wheelbase, the Toyota Highlander leads: 112.2 in against 108.1 in.
On seating capacity, the Toyota Highlander leads: 8 seats against 5 seats.
Both list the same basic warranty: 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Subaru Outback and the Toyota Highlander.

2027 Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback is an automotive nameplate used by the Japanese automaker Subaru for two different themed vehicles: a Legacy-derived station wagon, the Outback (1994–present, also sold as Legacy Outback in some markets), and an Impreza-derived off-road themed hatchback, the Outback Sport. Most versions of the Outback wagon and Outback Sport have had all-wheel drive as standard equipment.

Source: Subaru Outback (Wikipedia)

Safety. Based on the fifth generation Legacy, the fourth generation Subaru Outback was introduced in April 2009 at the New York Auto Show, the fifteenth anniversary of the first Outback's introduction at the same event. The Outback was introduced in Japan on May 20, 2009. The "Legacy" prefix has been dropped internationally.

Design. The seventh-generation Outback transitioned to a crossover SUV compared to the raised station wagon of its predecessor with a boxier shape, taller roofline, increased use of exterior body cladding, and its platform is not shared with a sedan car (with the discontinuation of the Legacy in 2025).

NHTSA rated the 2025 Subaru Outback overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (2 campaigns across the latest model years)

November 2023, Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch. Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail. Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
September 2023, Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft. Consequence: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 81 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Subaru Outback, most often about forward collision avoidance (20), unknown or other (18), lane departure (14).

2026 Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander, also known as the Toyota Kluger in some markets, is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by Toyota since 2000. The Highlander was announced in April 2000 at the New York International Auto Show, arriving in Japan in late 2000, and North America in January 2001.

Source: Toyota Highlander (Wikipedia)

NHTSA rated the 2025 Toyota Highlander overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (7 campaigns across the latest model years)

March 2026, Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly:Recliner. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment. Consequence: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
December 2025, Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Anchorage. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The third row center seat belt roof anchor may have been installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant. Consequence: A seat belt that does not properly restrain an occupant increases the risk of injury during a crash.
October 2025, Back Over Prevention:Display Function. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview… Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Toyota Highlander, most often about vehicle speed control (3), service brakes (2), forward collision avoidance (2).

Comparison answer desk

12 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2027 Subaru Outback or the 2026 Toyota Highlander?

Efficiency

The 2026 Toyota Highlander lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (29.5 vs. the 2027 Subaru Outback's 25 MPG/MPGe).