2012 Subaru Outback vs. 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
When comparing the 2012 Subaru Outback's and the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta's specifications and ratings, the 2012 Subaru Outback has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the 2012 Subaru Outback's and the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta's specifications and ratings, the 2012 Subaru Outback is a better car than the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta.
2012 Subaru Outback vs. 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Pricing
A used 2012 Subaru Outback ranges from $6,000 to $15,998 while a used 2012 Volkswagen Jetta is priced between $5,249 to $13,499.
2012 Subaru Outback vs. 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2012 Subaru Outback loses 39.5 percent of its value and the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta loses 43.2 percent of its value. This means the 2012 Subaru Outback retains 3.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta.
2012 Subaru Outback vs. 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Subaru Outback is 8.9 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Jetta's quality rating is 8.6 out of 10. This results in the Subaru Outback being ranked 4 out of 66 Best Crossover SUVs and the Volkswagen Jetta being ranked 9 out of 26 Best Compact Cars.
2012 Subaru Outback vs. 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Subaru Outback is 8.8 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Jetta the reliability rating is 8.2 out of 10. This gives the Subaru Outback a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Volkswagen Jetta.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the 2012 Subaru Outback’s base engine makes 170 horsepower, and the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta base engine makes 115 horsepower. The Outback is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 500 miles. The Jetta is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 493 miles.This gives the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta the advantage in fuel efficiency and the 2012 Subaru Outback the advantage in maximum range. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison
The 2012 Subaru Outback, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, a compact car, has the advantage in the area of rear leg room.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the 2012 Subaru Outback and the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
6000 - 15998
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.395466
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
5249 - 13499
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.43236
Subaru Outback Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.933592 / 10
Reliability:
8.800776 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.584823 / 10
Reliability:
8.15447 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Subaru Outback Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 66Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 66Ranking
4 out of / 66Ranking
4 out of / 66Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
4 out of / 26Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 10Ranking
5 out of / 56Ranking
5 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 56Ranking
8 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 19Ranking
11 out of / 56Ranking
11 out of / 56Ranking
13 out of / 66Ranking
14 out of / 19Ranking
16 out of / 66Ranking
16 out of / 56Ranking
16 out of / 56Ranking
19 out of / 66Ranking
22 out of / 66Ranking
22 out of / 56Ranking
24 out of / 66Ranking
26 out of / 49Ranking
27 out of / 58Ranking
28 out of / 66Ranking
28 out of / 66Ranking
30 out of / 56Volkswagen Jetta Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 18Ranking
8 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 26Ranking
9 out of / 24Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
15 out of / 26Ranking
20 out of / 26Ranking
21 out of / 26Ranking
21 out of / 26Ranking
24 out of / 43Ranking
30 out of / 43Ranking
34 out of / 43Ranking
38 out of / 43Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
Sedan, Wagon
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Diesel, Gasoline
2012 Subaru Outback Trim Levels
2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Premium, 3.6R, 3.6R Limited, 3.6R Premium
2012 Volkswagen Jetta Trim Levels
Base, GLI, GLI Autobahn, GLI Autobahn PZEV, GLI PZEV, S, SE, SE PZEV, SEL, SEL Prem, SEL Prem PZEV, SEL PZEV, TDI, SportWagen S, SportWagen S PZEV, SportWagen SE, SportWagen SE PZEV, SportWagen TDI
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
170 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
170 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
1000 lbs
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
115 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
125 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.041 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 27 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
352 / 500 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 34 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
348 / 493 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple Car Play:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple Car Play:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Equipment
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Equipment
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
43 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Cargo Space:
34.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
71.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
139.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.6 inches
Cargo Space:
15.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
94.1 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3386 lbs
Width:
81 inches
Height:
66.1 inches
Length:
188.2 inches
Wheelbase:
107.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2804 lbs
Width:
70 inches
Height:
57.2 inches
Length:
182.2 inches
Wheelbase:
104.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P215/60R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P195/65R15