Hicks Family Subaru
Subaru Outback or Toyota RAV4? Dive into this detailed comparison of features, performance, and versatility to discover the right SUV for your needs.
When it comes to versatile, adventure-ready SUVs, the Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4 are two of the most popular choices on the road. Both vehicles offer excellent cargo space, fuel efficiency, and safety features, making them great options for city drivers, road trippers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. But which one is the best fit for your lifestyle?
Read on to learn all about these two vehicle’s capabilities, from performance and adventure-readiness to technology and fuel efficiency, so you can make the best decision for your next adventure.
To make your choice easier, we’ve broken down the Subaru Outback’s and the Toyota RAV4’s capabilities by category. Let’s dive in!
Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, all specifications pertain to the 2025 base model of each vehicle.
When it comes to power, the Outback comes standard with a 2.5-liter flat-four cylinder engine that offers 182 horsepower (hp) at 5,800 revolutions per minute (rpm) and 176 pounds-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. In comparison, the RAV4 comes with a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine that provides slightly more power, producing 203 hp at 6,600 rpm and 184 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm. But if you’re looking for true performance, the Onyx Edition XT trim level of the Subaru Outback offers a turbocharged 2.4 liter Boxer engine (no, it’s not named after the dog breed, but Subarus are good for canines, too!), which makes 260 hp, and 277 lb-ft of torque.
Horsepower and torque are only one part of the equation. How that power is delivered matters equally as much, making drivetrain configuration and transmission type critical considerations.
If you’re looking for a vehicle that can handle Corpus Christi’s unpredictable weather, sandy beach drives, and off-road adventures, an all-wheel drive (AWD) configuration is a must. The Subaru Outback offers standard AWD across all trim levels, while the Toyota RAV4 only includes AWD as an upgrade on most models, with front-wheel drive as the standard. As such, if you were to pit a base model RAV4 vs. Outback in snow or other traction-reducing conditions, Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system delivers the stability and traction necessary to put its power to the ground.
Comparing transmissions, the Toyota RAV4 comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the Subaru Outback comes with a continuously variable speed transmission (CVT). In contrast to typical automatic transmissions, CVTs use belts and pulleys to offer infinite gear ratios, which minimizes power lost to the transmission and maximizes fuel efficiency.
To top it all off, the base Subaru Outback has a 2,700 lb maximum towing capacity, while the RAV4 only offers a 1500 lb maximum towing capacity — and if you opt for the 2.4 L turbocharged BOXER engine, the Outback can tow up to 3,500 lbs.
So, while the RAV4 may win in terms of base model engine performance on paper, the Outback can deliver its power more effectively and has a much higher towing capacity. Factoring in the Outback’s CVT, AWD configuration, and incredible towing capacity, it’s clearly the more adventure and off-road ready of the two vehicles, making it the winner of this category.
Whether you’re packing up for a weekend at Padre Island National Seashore or hauling gear for a camping trip, cargo capacity is essential. The Toyota RAV4 provides 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 69.8 cubic feet behind the front seat with the rears down. In comparison, the Subaru Outback offers 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and expands to a whopping 75.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. While the RAV4 has more standard cargo room, the Outback’s longer, wagon-like design makes loading bulky gear more convenient.
Practicality wise, both vehicles feature plenty of options to cater to your sense of adventure. They both come with roof rails, enabling you to strap down awkward items like surfboards or skis, and both feature ground clearances over 8 inches. Once again, though, the Outback secures the win, as raised roof rails with integrated cross bars come standard across trim levels, making it easier to transport bikes, kayaks, or rooftop cargo carriers. The RAV4 also offers roof rails, but they are low-profile, and crossbars are an additional accessory.
Both SUVs offer impressive fuel efficiency, making them great options for daily commuting and road trips. The standard Subaru Outback gets 26 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway, while the Toyota RAV4 edges out slightly with 27 MPG city and 35 MPG highway.
If maximizing fuel economy is your priority, the RAV4 holds a slight advantage, but if you’re looking to stop for gas less frequently, the Outback is the way to go, as it has a driving range of 481 miles in the city and 592 miles on the highway, whereas the RAV4 only offers 392 miles in the city and 508 miles on the highway.
Both the Subaru Outback and the Toyota RAV4 interiors are packed with modern technology, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration. At the base trim level, the RAV4 has a standard 8-inch infotainment display, while the Outback only has a 7-inch. However, Subaru’s STARLINK multimedia system offers an available 11.6-inch touchscreen, which is significantly larger than the RAV4’s optional 10.5-inch display, evening out the score.
Infotainment isn’t all there is to a vehicle tech, though — safety is another critical factor. Fortunately, both cars perform well in this category, as they come equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems. Subaru’s Eyesight Driver Assist Technology includes adaptive, lane-centering cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and pre-collision braking. The RAV4’s Toyota SafetySense offers similar features, but the Outback won the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety‘s (IIHS) 2024 Top Safety Pick award after crash-testing, making it the winner of this category.
| 2025 Subaru Outback (Base) | 2025 Toyota RAV4 (Base) | |
| Engine | 2.5 L Flat 4-Cylinder1 82 hp @ 5,800 rpm 176 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm | 2.5 L Inline 4 Cylinder 203 hp @ 6,600 rpm 184 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm |
| Transmission | Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission |
| Drivetrain | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Economy | 26 MPG City 32 MPG Highway 28 MPG Combined | 27 MPG City3 5 MPG Highway 30 MPG Combined |
| Driving Range | 481 Miles in the City 592 Miles on the Highway | 392 Miles in the City 508 Miles on the Highway |
| Cargo Space | 32.6 Cubic Feet with Rear Seat Up 75.6 Cubic Feet with Rear Seat Down | 37.6 Cubic Feet 69.8 Cubic Feet with Rear Seat Down |
| Towing Capacity | 2700 lbs | 1500 lbs |
| Safety | 2024 Top Safety Pick of the IIHS 8 Airbags Pre-Collison Braking EyeSight Pedestrian Detection Lane-Centering Cruise Control | Rated Well by the IIHS 8 Airbags Pre-Collision Braking Toyota Safety Sense Pedestrian Detection Lane Tracing Assist System |
| Technology | Subaru Starlink Multimedia System Apple Car Play and Android Auto BluetoothOptional 11.6-inch Infotainment Display Optional DriverFocus System | Toyota Audio Multimedia System Apple Car Play and Android Auto BluetoothOptional 10.5-inch Infotainment Display Optional Customizable Gauge Cluster |
In the Subaru Outback vs. Toyota RAV4 comparison, there is no wrong choice. Still, there is an ideal choice, depending on your priorities:
Looking for an SUV that fits your lifestyle? The Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4 both offer great performance, but only one is right for you. If you want standard AWD, rugged off-road capability, and a spacious interior, the Outback stands out. Visit Hicks Family Subaru today to test drive, or explore our selection of new and Certified Pre-Owened Outbacks to find your next adventure-ready vehicle!
