Subaru Outback vs. Toyota 4Runner
When we compare the Subaru Outback's and the Toyota 4Runner's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Outback has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and overall quality score. The Toyota 4Runner has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Outback's and the Toyota 4Runner's specifications and ratings, the Toyota 4Runner is a better car than the Subaru Outback.
Subaru Outback vs. Toyota 4Runner Pricing
A used 2024 Subaru Outback ranges from $32,529 to $43,927 while a used 2024 Toyota 4Runner is priced between $41,290 to $61,929. For a new model, the Subaru Outback's price is between $32,906 and $45,079, with the Toyota 4Runner priced between $45,044 and $58,306.
Subaru Outback vs. Toyota 4Runner Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Subaru Outback loses 39.5 percent of its value and the Toyota 4Runner loses 24.7 percent of its value. This means the Toyota 4Runner retains 14.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Subaru Outback.
Subaru Outback vs. Toyota 4Runner Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Subaru Outback is 8.9 out of 10 while the Toyota 4Runner's quality rating is 8.7 out of 10. This results in the Subaru Outback being ranked 5 out of 56 Best 5-seater SUVs and the Toyota 4Runner being ranked 14 out of 56.
Subaru Outback vs. Toyota 4Runner Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Subaru Outback is 8.8 out of 10. For the Toyota 4Runner the reliability rating is 9.2 out of 10. This gives the Toyota 4Runner a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Subaru Outback.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Subaru Outback’s base engine makes 182 horsepower, and the Toyota 4Runner base engine makes 270 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison
The Toyota 4Runner, a midsize SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more rear shoulder room and cargo space. The Subaru Outback, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Subaru Outback has higher safety ratings than the Toyota 4Runner, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
32906 - 45079
Used Asking Price:
32529 - 43927
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.395466
Pricing
New Asking Price:
45044 - 58306
Used Asking Price:
41290 - 61929
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.246761
Subaru Outback Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.933592 / 10
Reliability:
8.800776 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Toyota 4Runner Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.747071 / 10
Reliability:
9.241214 / 10
Retained Value:
9.0 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 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 / 56Toyota 4Runner Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 31Ranking
2 out of / 16Ranking
3 out of / 31Ranking
4 out of / 56Ranking
4 out of / 10Ranking
5 out of / 31Ranking
5 out of / 31Ranking
6 out of / 56Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
7 out of / 56Ranking
9 out of / 56Ranking
10 out of / 31Ranking
11 out of / 31Ranking
14 out of / 56Ranking
18 out of / 56Ranking
22 out of / 27Ranking
23 out of / 31Ranking
23 out of / 31Ranking
24 out of / 31Ranking
26 out of / 31Ranking
29 out of / 31Ranking
31 out of / 56Ranking
44 out of / 49Ranking
46 out of / 56Summary Review
The Subaru Outback has been a staple on American roads since its inception in 1994. Two different Subaru models, sold side-by-side, bore the Outback name: the wagon-style crossover-SUV we associate with the name today, and the Outback Sport, which eventually became the Crosstrek. The Outback is best known for its standard all-wheel drive, excellent utility, and all-weather capability. New models of the Outback average $36,354 and 3-year-old models average $25,939.
Summary Review
Toyota doesn't have just one popular SUV in this segment, but two. The Toyota 4Runner is the Highlander’s more-rugged sibling.
Pros and Cons
- Utilitarian with easy entry and exit and highly function cargo space
- Comfortable ride quality with an upscale interior
- Excellent all-weather and light off-road capability
- Not always fast or inspirational for driving enthusiasts
- Similarly-sized SUVs often have more cargo and passenger room
- Fuel economy can be less than expected
Pros and Cons
- Rugged off-road capability
- Great for towing when properly equipped
- Outstanding value retention (low depreciation)
- Aging design
- Interior space is limited by comparison to other midsize SUV / crossovers
- Fuel economy literally half that of a Highlander Hybrid
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Subaru Outback Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Limited XT, Onyx Edition, Onyx Edition XT, Premium, Touring, Touring XT, Wilderness
Toyota 4Runner Trim Levels
Limited, SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, TRD Pro, TRD Sport
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:
2 years
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):
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
178 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
270 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
278 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
5000 lbs
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):
26 / 32 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
481 / 592 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
4 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X2 / 4X4, AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.4 inches
Cargo Space:
32.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
75.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
141.6 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
32.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Cargo Space:
47.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
89.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
144.5 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3641 lbs
Width:
82 inches
Height:
66.4 inches
Length:
191.1 inches
Wheelbase:
108.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4400 lbs
Width:
75.8 inches
Height:
71.5 inches
Length:
190.2 inches
Wheelbase:
109.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
9 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/65R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P265/70R17