Subaru vs. Toyota

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of cars from Subaru and Toyota contrasts the two brands across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which one is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of vehicle models, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and projected lifetime recalls based on recall history. This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which brand represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both Subaru and Toyota cars.

When comparing the Subaru brand to the Toyota brand, Subaru has the advantage in the areas of new car pricing, used car pricing, towing capacity and safety. Toyota has the advantage in the areas of depreciation, horsepower, fuel efficiency, overall quality, reliability, retained value, vehicle rankings and variety of models offered.

Subaru versus Toyota: Pricing and Value: Analyzing Subaru versus Toyota pricing we see a lower new vehicle starting price for Subaru in 8 out of 15 vehicle comparisons. Subaru also has a lower used vehicle starting price in 4 out of 5 comparisons. Toyota models depreciate at a lower (better) rate in 15 out of 16 comparisons.

Subaru versus Toyota: Horsepower, Fuel Efficiency and Towing Capacity: Toyota vehicles offer higher maximum horsepower numbers in their base trim in 11 out of 16 model comparisons, with Subaru offering more horsepower in 5 comparisons. Toyota offers higher MPG for its vehicles in their base trim in 3 out of 4 comparisons. Toyota offers a longer driving range in 1 out of 1 model comparisons. Subaru offers a greater towing capacity in 7 out of 11 comparisons. Toyota offers greater towing capacity in 1 out of 11 comparisons, and in 3 comparisons Subaru and Toyota have the same towing capacity.

Subaru versus Toyota: Quality, Reliability, Safety, and Value Retention Ratings: A comparison of Subaru versus Toyota overall quality ratings shows Toyota with higher quality ratings in 5 out of 7 model comparisons. In terms of reliability ratings, Toyota has the advantage in 4 out of 7 comparisons. Subaru has better safety ratings in 4 out of 15 comparisons while Toyota has better safety ratings in 2 out of 15 comparisons. Subaru and Toyota tie for safety in 9 comparisons. Toyota shows higher ratings for retained value in 15 out of 16 comparisons.

Best Car Rankings: Toyota has better car rankings in 6 categories: Toyota Land Cruiser in Best 5-seater SUVs, Toyota Corolla in Best Compact Cars, Toyota RAV4 in Best Crossover SUVs, Toyota Camry in Best Midsize Cars, Toyota Yaris in Best Small Cars, and Toyota RAV4 in Best Small SUVs.

Most Reliable Car Rankings: Subaru has the better car ranking in 1 category: Outback (suv) in Most Reliable Small SUVs. Toyota has better car rankings in 3 categories: Toyota Highlander in Most Reliable Crossover SUVs, Toyota Camry in Most Reliable Midsize Cars, and Toyota Corolla in Most Reliable Small Cars.

Safest Car Rankings: Subaru and Toyota each have better car rankings in 3 categories. Subaru ranks better in the following cases: Subaru Ascent in Safest Crossover SUVs, Subaru Ascent in Safest Midsize SUVs, and Subaru Ascent in Safest SUVs with 3 Rows. Toyota ranks better in the following cases: Toyota bZ4X in Safest Electric SUVs, Toyota Camry in Safest Midsize Cars, and Toyota Yaris in Safest Small Cars.

Best Cars for the Money Rankings: Toyota has better car rankings in 3 categories: Toyota RAV4 in Best Crossover SUVs for the Money, Toyota Camry in Best Midsize Cars for the Money, and Toyota RAV4 in Best Small SUVs for the Money.

Available Body Styles: Subaru offers 6 SUVs, 1 wagon, 3 sedans, and 1 coupe. In comparison, Toyota offers 14 SUVs, 7 sedans, 2 coupes, 4 hatchbacks, and 1 minivan.

Drivetrain Options: Subaru offers 8 gasoline vehicles, 1 plug-in hybrid, and 1 electric vehicle. Toyota offers 13 gasoline vehicles, 15 hybrids, 2 plug-in hybrids, 1 electric vehicle, and 1 hydrogen vehicle.

Subaru offers 8 all-wheel-drive models and 1 rear-wheel-drive model. Toyota offers 17 all-wheel-drive models, 15 front-wheel-drive models, and 3 rear-wheel-drive models.