Ford Flex vs. Subaru Outback
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Ford Flex and Subaru Outback contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Ford Flex and the Subaru Outback.
When we compare the Ford Flex's and the Subaru Outback's specifications and ratings, the Ford Flex has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, interior volume and base engine power. The Subaru Outback has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Ford Flex's and the Subaru Outback's specifications and ratings, the Ford Flex is a better car than the Subaru Outback.
Pricing: A used 2019 Ford Flex ranges from $12,995 to $26,998 while a used 2019 Subaru Outback is priced between $14,698 to $25,998.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Ford Flex’s base engine makes 287 horsepower, and the Subaru Outback base engine makes 175 horsepower. The Flex is rated to deliver an average of 19 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 428 miles. The Outback is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 592 miles. This gives the Subaru Outback the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Ford Flex. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Ford Flex has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Subaru Outback has the advantage in the areas of front leg room cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The Subaru Outback has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
30575
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Large SUVs)
50691
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Large SUVs)
30575 - 85165
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
26345
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
24516
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
23350 - 26345
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
19356
Price Range:
12995 - 26998
Category Avg Price:
(Large SUVs)
33248
Category Avg Price Range:
(Large SUVs)
19356 - 65802
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
215
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
91831
# Good or Great Deals:
94
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
20410
Price Range:
14698 - 25998
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
18096
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
14451 - 23922
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
759
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
79774
# Good or Great Deals:
279
Ford Flex Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Subaru Outback Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
8.2 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Flex
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
4.0
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Large SUVs)
4.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Large SUVs)
2.8 - 12.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.209
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Outback
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
5.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
3.6 - 9.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.253
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.5216968705871263
Typical Category Recalls:
(Large SUVs)
2.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Large SUVs)
1.4 - 7.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.530189592182792
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
3.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.7 - 16.8
Ford Flex Rankings
Not yet available
Subaru Outback Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 67Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 9Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
9 out of / 18Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
11 out of / 67Ranking
11 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 56Ranking
15 out of / 18Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
18 out of / 67Ranking
18 out of / 67Ranking
19 out of / 67Ranking
23 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
27 out of / 56Ranking
28 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Ford Flex Trim Levels
Limited, SE, SEL
Subaru Outback Trim Levels
2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Touring, 3.6R Limited, 3.6R Touring
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 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):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
287 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
254 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.065 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
175 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
174 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.048 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
16 / 23 / 19
Range (city/hwy):
298 / 428 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 32 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
463 / 592 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
44.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Cargo Space:
20 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
83.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
175.8 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.3 inches
Cargo Space:
35.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
73.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
143.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4439 lbs
Width:
88.8 inches
Height:
68 inches
Length:
201.8 inches
Wheelbase:
117.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3624 lbs
Width:
81.3 inches
Height:
66.1 inches
Length:
189.9 inches
Wheelbase:
108.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P235/60R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/65R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Agate Black
Blue
Blue
Gray
Magnetic
Silver
Ingot Silver
White
Oxford White
Beige
Not available
Brown
Not available
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Abyss Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Beige
Tungsten Metallic
Brown
Cinnamon Brown Pearl
Green
Wilderness Green Metallic
Red
Crimson Red Pearl
Interior Colors
Beige
Dune
Black
Charcoal Black
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Warm Ivory
Black
Slate Black
Gray
Titanium Gray
