Subaru vs. Volvo
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of cars from Subaru and Volvo 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 Volvo cars.
When comparing the Subaru brand to the Volvo brand, Subaru has the advantage in the areas of new car pricing, used car pricing, depreciation, fuel efficiency, overall quality, reliability and retained value. Volvo has the advantage in the areas of horsepower, towing capacity, safety and variety of models offered.
Subaru versus Volvo: Pricing and Value: Analyzing Subaru versus Volvo pricing we see a lower new vehicle starting price for Subaru in 3 out of 3 vehicle comparisons. Subaru also has a lower used vehicle starting price in 2 out of 2 comparisons. Subaru models depreciate at a lower (better) rate in 4 out of 4 comparisons. The lower overall prices for Subaru, plus their lower depreciation rate, gives Subaru the overall advantage over Volvo.
Subaru versus Volvo: Horsepower, Fuel Efficiency and Towing Capacity: Volvo vehicles offer higher maximum horsepower numbers in their base trim in 4 out of 4 model comparisons. Subaru offers higher MPG for its vehicles in their base trim in 2 out of 2 comparisons. Volvo offers a greater towing capacity in 2 out of 4 comparisons. In 2 comparisons, Subaru and Volvo have the same towing capacity.
Subaru versus Volvo: Quality, Reliability, Safety, and Value Retention Ratings: A comparison of Subaru versus Volvo overall quality ratings shows Subaru with higher quality ratings in 2 out of 2 model comparisons. In terms of reliability ratings, Subaru has the advantage in 2 out of 2 comparisons. Volvo has better safety ratings in 1 out of 3 comparisons. Subaru and Volvo tie for safety in 2 comparisons. Subaru shows higher ratings for retained value in 4 out of 4 comparisons.
Best Car Rankings:
Most Reliable Car Rankings:
Best Cars for the Money Rankings:
Available Body Styles: Subaru offers 6 SUVs, 1 wagon, 3 sedans, and 1 coupe. In comparison, Volvo offers 7 SUVs, 3 wagons, and 4 sedans.
Drivetrain Options: Subaru offers 8 gasoline vehicles, 1 plug-in hybrid, and 1 electric vehicle. Volvo offers 7 gasoline vehicles, 5 plug-in hybrids, and 2 electric vehicles.
Subaru offers 8 all-wheel-drive models and 1 rear-wheel-drive model. Volvo offers 14 all-wheel-drive models, 1 front-wheel-drive model, and 2 rear-wheel-drive models.
New Car Pricing
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
$27,440 - $36,853
Subaru Forester
$31,497 - $38,867
Subaru Outback (suv)
$32,899 - $42,165
Other Comparisons
Subaru Crosstrek (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not Yet Available
New Car Pricing
SUVs
Volvo XC40
$43,000 - $52,303
Volvo XC60
$47,843 - $61,191
Volvo XC60
$47,843 - $61,191
Other Comparisons
Volvo XC40
$43,000 - $52,303
Used Car Pricing
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
$25,956 - $34,499
Subaru Forester
Not Yet Available
Subaru Outback (suv)
Not Yet Available
Other Comparisons
Subaru Crosstrek (Plug-in Hybrid)
$31,159 - $38,823
Used Car Pricing
SUVs
Volvo XC40
$40,489 - $50,702
Volvo XC60
$45,143 - $58,338
Volvo XC60
$45,143 - $58,338
Other Comparisons
Volvo XC40
$40,489 - $50,702
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
27%
Subaru Forester
34.5%
Subaru Outback (suv)
39.3%
Other Comparisons
Subaru Crosstrek (Plug-in Hybrid)
31.1%
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
SUVs
Volvo XC40
44.2%
Volvo XC60
48.2%
Volvo XC60
48.2%
Other Comparisons
Volvo XC40
44.2%
Horsepower / Torque
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
152 hp / 145 foot-lbs
Subaru Forester
180 hp / 178 foot-lbs
Subaru Outback (suv)
182 hp / 176 foot-lbs
Other Comparisons
Subaru Crosstrek (Plug-in Hybrid)
148 hp
Horsepower / Torque
SUVs
Volvo XC40
247 hp / 258 foot-lbs
Volvo XC60
247 hp / 258 foot-lbs
Volvo XC60
247 hp / 258 foot-lbs
Other Comparisons
Volvo XC40
247 hp / 258 foot-lbs
MPG (city/highway/combined)
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
27 / 34 / 29
Subaru Forester
Not Yet Available
Subaru Outback (suv)
Not Yet Available
Other Comparisons
Subaru Crosstrek (Plug-in Hybrid)
36 / 35 / 35
MPG (city/highway/combined)
SUVs
Volvo XC40
24 / 30 / 26
Volvo XC60
22 / 28 / 25
Volvo XC60
22 / 28 / 25
Other Comparisons
Volvo XC40
24 / 30 / 26
Max Towing Capacity
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
3500 lbs
Subaru Forester
3000 lbs
Subaru Outback (suv)
3500 lbs
Other Comparisons
Subaru Crosstrek (Plug-in Hybrid)
1000 lbs
Max Towing Capacity
SUVs
Volvo XC40
3500 lbs
Volvo XC60
3500 lbs
Volvo XC60
3500 lbs
Other Comparisons
Volvo XC40
3500 lbs
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
7.8 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.6 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.5 / 10
Other Comparisons
Subaru Crosstrek (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.8 / 10
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
SUVs
Volvo XC40
Not available
Volvo XC60
8.2 / 10
Volvo XC60
8.2 / 10
Other Comparisons
Volvo XC40
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
5.6 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.3 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.6 / 10
Other Comparisons
Subaru Crosstrek (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.1 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
SUVs
Volvo XC40
Not available
Volvo XC60
8.2 / 10
Volvo XC60
8.2 / 10
Other Comparisons
Volvo XC40
Not available
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
9.0 / 10
Subaru Forester
9.0 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
9.0 / 10
Other Comparisons
Subaru Crosstrek (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not available
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
SUVs
Volvo XC40
10 / 10
Volvo XC60
9.0 / 10
Volvo XC60
9.0 / 10
Other Comparisons
Volvo XC40
10 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
8.8 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.4 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.1 / 10
Other Comparisons
Subaru Crosstrek (Plug-in Hybrid)
8.6 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
SUVs
Volvo XC40
7.8 / 10
Volvo XC60
7.5 / 10
Volvo XC60
7.5 / 10
Other Comparisons
Volvo XC40
7.8 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings
SUVs
Subaru Forester
#6 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
Subaru Outback
#7 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings
SUVs
Volvo XC60
#3 of 29 in
Best Luxury Small SUVs
Volvo XC60
#3 of 29 in
Best Luxury Small SUVs
iSeeCars Most Reliable Car Rankings
SUVs
Subaru Forester
#4 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
Subaru Outback
#2 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
iSeeCars Most Reliable Car Rankings
SUVs
Volvo XC60
#3 of 29 in
Most Reliable Luxury Small SUVs
Volvo XC60
#3 of 29 in
Most Reliable Luxury Small SUVs
iSeeCars Best Cars for the Money Rankings
SUVs
Subaru Forester
#8 of 13 in
Best Small SUVs for the Money
Subaru Outback
#10 of 13 in
Best Small SUVs for the Money
iSeeCars Best Cars for the Money Rankings
SUVs
Volvo XC60
#2 of 4 in
Best Luxury Small SUVs for the Money
Volvo XC60
#2 of 4 in
Best Luxury Small SUVs for the Money