Subaru Outback vs. Volkswagen Golf
When we compare the Subaru Outback's and the Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Outback has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Outback's and the Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Outback is a better car than the Volkswagen Golf.
Subaru Outback vs. Volkswagen Golf Pricing
A used 2021 Subaru Outback ranges from $25,723 to $35,499 while a used 2021 Volkswagen Golf is priced between $17,231 to $24,998.
Subaru Outback vs. Volkswagen Golf 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 Volkswagen Golf loses 40 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Outback retains 0.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Golf.
Subaru Outback vs. Volkswagen Golf Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Subaru Outback is 8.9 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Golf's quality rating is 8.7 out of 10. This results in the Subaru Outback being ranked 4 out of 66 Best Crossover SUVs and the Volkswagen Golf being ranked 4 out of 28 Best Hatchbacks.
Subaru Outback vs. Volkswagen Golf Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Subaru Outback is 8.8 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Golf the reliability rating is 8.2 out of 10. This gives the Subaru Outback a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Volkswagen Golf.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Subaru Outback’s base engine makes 182 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf base engine makes 147 horsepower. The Outback is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 611 miles. The Golf is rated to deliver an average of 33 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 515 miles.This gives the Volkswagen Golf the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Subaru Outback the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison
The 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, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Subaru Outback and the Volkswagen Golf have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
25723 - 35499
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.395466
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
17231 - 24998
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.400111
Subaru Outback Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.933592 / 10
Reliability:
8.800776 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Volkswagen Golf Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.724282 / 10
Reliability:
8.172846 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 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 Golf Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 28Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 26Ranking
10 out of / 43Ranking
10 out of / 43Ranking
10 out of / 43Ranking
10 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 26Ranking
17 out of / 26Ranking
20 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 26Ranking
21 out of / 28Ranking
21 out of / 28Ranking
25 out of / 26Ranking
29 out of / 43Ranking
31 out of / 43Ranking
32 out of / 43Ranking
33 out of / 43Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Subaru Outback Trim Levels
Limited, Limited XT, Onyx Edition XT, Premium, Touring, Touring XT, Base
Volkswagen Golf Trim Levels
TSI
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:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 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:
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:
147 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 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:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 33 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
481 / 611 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 39 / 33
Range (city/hwy):
383 / 515 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
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:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
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:
32.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
75.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
141.5 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
17.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
42.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
110.9 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3634 lbs
Width:
82 inches
Height:
66.1 inches
Length:
191.3 inches
Wheelbase:
108.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2945 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
58.2 inches
Length:
167.6 inches
Wheelbase:
103.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 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:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/55R16