Toyota Matrix vs. Subaru Outback
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Toyota Matrix and Subaru Outback 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 Toyota Matrix and the Subaru Outback.
When we compare the Toyota Matrix's and the Subaru Outback's specifications and ratings, the Toyota Matrix has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. The Subaru Outback has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Toyota Matrix's and the Subaru Outback's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Outback is a better car than the Toyota Matrix.
Pricing: A used 2013 Toyota Matrix ranges from $6,156 to $15,431 while a used 2013 Subaru Outback is priced between $5,119 to $14,995.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Toyota Matrix’s base engine makes 132 horsepower, and the Subaru Outback base engine makes 173 horsepower. The Matrix is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 422 miles. The Outback is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 518 miles.This gives the Toyota Matrix the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Subaru Outback the advantage in maximum range. Both models use gasoline.
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 shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Toyota Matrix and Subaru Outback are comparable in regards to rear head room.
Safety Ratings: The Subaru Outback has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
19275
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
23495
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
22849
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
19000 - 27030
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
10931
Price Range:
6156 - 15431
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
5
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
142197
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
9510
Price Range:
5119 - 14995
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
10570
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
7387 - 26274
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
282
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
138350
# Good or Great Deals:
108
Toyota Matrix Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Subaru Outback Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
8.2 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Toyota Matrix
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Outback
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.7477447561281065
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
16.1154200618782
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
3.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
0.9 - 16.1
Toyota Matrix Rankings
Not yet available
Subaru Outback Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 66Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 10Ranking
2 out of / 10Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
3 out of / 66Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 66Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 66Ranking
6 out of / 18Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 54Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 66Ranking
14 out of / 66Ranking
15 out of / 66Ranking
18 out of / 18Ranking
19 out of / 66Ranking
21 out of / 66Ranking
23 out of / 66Ranking
24 out of / 66Ranking
25 out of / 66Ranking
29 out of / 66Ranking
33 out of / 54Available Body Styles
Wagon
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Toyota Matrix Trim Levels
L, S
Subaru Outback Trim Levels
2.5i, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Premium, 3.6R, 3.6R Limited
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 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
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
132 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
128 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.046 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
173 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
174 foot-lbs @ 4100 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
1000 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 32 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
343 / 422 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 28 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
389 / 518 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.6 inches
Cargo Space:
19.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
49.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
114 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
43 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Cargo Space:
34.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
71.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
139.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2844 lbs
Width:
69.5 inches
Height:
61 inches
Length:
171.9 inches
Wheelbase:
102.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3423 lbs
Width:
71.7 inches
Height:
65.8 inches
Length:
189 inches
Wheelbase:
107.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P205/55R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P215/70R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sand Pearl
Blue
Nautical Blue Metallic
Gray
Magnetic Gray Metallic
Green
Spruce Mica
Red
Barcelona Red Metallic
Silver
Classic Silver Metallic
White
Super White
Beige
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Deep Indigo Pearl / Twilight Blue Metallic
Gray
Graphite Gray Metallic
Green
Cypress Green Pearl
Red
Venetian Red Pearl
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Satin White Pearl
Beige
Caramel Bronze Pearl
Interior Colors
Gray
Ash / Dark Charcoal
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Gray
Not available
Beige
Ivory
Black
Black
