Subaru Outback vs. Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru Outback and Volkswagen Golf SportWagen 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 Subaru Outback and the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen.
When we compare the Subaru Outback's and the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Outback has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. The Volkswagen Golf SportWagen has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Outback's and the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2019 Subaru Outback ranges from $16,988 to $27,886 while a used 2019 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen is priced between $13,991 to $24,541.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Subaru Outback loses 39.3 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen loses 35.7 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen retains 3.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Subaru Outback.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Subaru Outback’s base engine makes 175 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen base engine makes 147 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Subaru Outback 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: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Subaru Outback and the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$26,345
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
$24,516
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$23,350 - $26,345
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$21,895
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$21,340
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$14,795 - $40,395
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$22,546
Price Range:
$16,988 - $27,886
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
$20,157
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$16,854 - $25,234
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
740
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
80,079
# Good or Great Deals:
172
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$18,822
Price Range:
$13,991 - $24,541
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$19,292
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$11,224 - $33,439
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
16
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
77,341
# Good or Great Deals:
3
Subaru Outback Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Outback
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.9
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
5.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
4.9 - 8.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
22.1%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
9.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
6.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
4.1 - 9.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
40.5%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
8.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
3.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.7 - 21
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.5 - 15.5
Subaru Outback Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 67Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 14Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 30Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 67Ranking
15 out of / 67Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
18 out of / 67Ranking
21 out of / 67Ranking
21 out of / 67Ranking
25 out of / 59Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
27 out of / 67Ranking
29 out of / 67Ranking
30 out of / 67Ranking
34 out of / 67Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 5Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
Wagon
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Subaru Outback Trim Levels
2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Touring, 3.6R Limited, 3.6R Touring
Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Trim Levels
1.4T S, 1.4T SE, 1.8T S 4Motion
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:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
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
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:
4 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:
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
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.048 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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 37 / 32
Range (city/hwy):
383 / 488 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
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
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not applicable
Overall Interior Volume:
143.6 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
30.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
66.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not applicable
Overall Interior Volume:
124.7 cubic feet
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3053 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
58.3 inches
Length:
179.8 inches
Wheelbase:
103.5 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:
15.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
195/65R15
Exterior Colors
Beige
Tungsten Metallic
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Abyss Blue Pearl
Brown
Cinnamon Brown Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Green
Wilderness Green Metallic
Red
Crimson Red Pearl
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Night Blue Metallic / Silk Blue Metallic
Brown
Not available
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Green
Not available
Red
Tornado Red
Silver
White Silver Metallic
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Beige
Warm Ivory
Black
Slate Black
Gray
Titanium Gray
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige
Black
Titan Black
Gray
Not available
