Toyota RAV4 vs Subaru Outback

Base trim: $27,975  

Pictured: RAV4 Off-Road in Cavalry Blue with Ice Edge Roof. MSRP as tested $42,700.

Base trim: 2024 $28,895 / 2023 $28,395

Pictured: 2023 Outback Wilderness AWD in Geyser Blue. 2023 starting MSRP: $38,445 / 2024 starting MSRP: $39,960.

The RAV4 has been the nation's top-selling SUV for many years. It offers a wide range of trim levels and options, including hybrid and plug-in models, to appeal to different budgets. The RAV4 scores highly in safety and reliability and has good fuel economy, even in the gas engine types.  If you're looking for a practical SUV that's built to last, you can't go wrong with RAV4.

The only issue you may encounter is finding one, especially if you want specific features. There's high demand for this vehicle, so you may need to order or wait to get exactly what you want.

Subaru consistently maintains an excellent reputation for its safety features and all-wheel drive handling. All for a great value. It also has a very loyal fan base which speaks well of the brand.

In general, we love the Subaru Outback! The Outback offers a range of safety features that are standard across all 9 trim levels, including its terrific Symmetrical all-wheel drive system (with X Mode which increases all-wheel drive system engagement) and driver assistance technology (called Eyesight). Eyesight technology is extensive. It includes adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. 

The Outback is a great choice for those in colder climates who deal with a lot of hazardous winter weather driving, spend a lot of time outdoors, or travel with their pets. The safety features make it a good option for teens or inexperienced drivers, as well as senior drivers who want piece-of-mind while traveling down the road.

For the most capability and highest ground clearance, you'll want the Wilderness model.

Subaru's SUV inventory is getting more plentiful which is great news for car shoppers.

For 2023, all RAV4 models are equipped with the new Toyota Audio Multimedia system with over-the-air updates, dual Bluetooth phone connectivity, standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

TRD Off-Road, Hybrid XSE, Limited/Hybrid Limited, and Prime XSE now all come standard with a new 10.5-inch Multimedia display for 2023. Other models feature a new 8-inch Multimedia screen.

A new 12.3-inch Multi-Information Display is  standard on Limited/Hybrid Limited and Prime XSE,  and optional on TRD Off-Road and Hybrid XSE grades. A 7-inch Multi-Information Display screen is standard on lower trims.

In 2023, the Outback was completely refreshed with updated exterior and interior styling, technology, and safety features. The only major exterior changes in 2024 were to the Wilderness trim level, which received an update to its grille and front bumper. 

2023 updates also included the latest version of the Subaru's 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system, which has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available Multimedia Navigation system is voice-activated. The Outback is Subaru's first model to integrate what3words (W3W), a location technology that provides a simple way to communicate precise locations using just three simple words. 

• More powerful base powertrain than the non-turbo Outback engine
• More fuel efficient than the Outback
• New Toyota Audio Multimedia system is fantastic
• Larger digital driver displays

• More passenger and cargo space than the RAV4
• Lineup offers a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine
• Less expensive to get all-wheel drive
• Lower trims offer more towing capability than the RAV4

• Engine is on the louder side.
• You may have to order: as one of the nation's most popular SUVs, the RAV4 is often short in supply. 

• Base engine isn't as powerful as RAV4.
• Not as fuel efficient as RAV4.

28-30 mpg

25 -27 mpg

21-26 mpg

32-35 mpg

26-32 mpg

• New 10.5-inch Multimedia display with 6 speakers  (TRD Off-Road, Hybrid XSE, Limited/Hybrid Limited). 8-inch with 6 speakers screen is base 
• New Toyota Audio Multimedia system with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air updates, standard SiriusXM (subscription required) and dual Bluetooth phone connectivity
  
• 12.3-inch Multi-Information Display (Limited/Hybrid Limited and Prime XSE). 7-inch display is base
• Optional 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio 
• Optional wireless charging
• SiriusXM® Platinum Plan 3-month trial subscription
• 1 yr trial Drive Connect subscription  
• Backup camera or backup camera with dynamic gridlines depending on trim
  
  

• SUBARU STARLINK^® Dual 7.0-inch Multimedia or 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus or 11.6-inch Multimedia Navigation
• 4-speaker (Base) or 6-speaker (Premium) Audio system
• 12-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system on all other trims
• 4.2-inch LCD color combination meter display (functions vary by trim level)
• Rear Vision or Wide-Angle Mono Camera depending on trim
• Optional wireless charging accessory 

• 5 USB ports
• One 12V/120W auxiliary power outlet  in front instrument panel storage tray and one 12V/120W auxiliary power outlet in cargo area

• 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability on all but Base trim.
• Illuminated front USB-A and USB-C charging ports
• Illuminated rear USB-A and USB-C charging ports

• Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5 (TSS 2.5) with Pre-Collision System w/Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), ^*Road Sign Assist (RSA) 
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) 
• OPTIONAL: Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB)

• Standard EyeSight^® Driver Assist Technology
• Standard High Beam Assist
• Available DriverFocus^® Distraction Mitigation System
• Available Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Available Reverse Automatic Braking

• Standard Rear-Vison Camera

• Available 180-Degree Front-View Monitor

• 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) on all passenger seatbelts
• Front and outboard second-row seatbelts with seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats and tether anchors on all rear seats
• Star Safety System™ — includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC),  Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology® (SST)  
• Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control
• Eight airbags  — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags

• SUBARU STARLINK^® Safety and Security
  Subaru advanced frontal airbag system (SRS)
• Side curtain airbags
• Seat-mounted front side impact 
• Front passenger seat cushion airbag
• Driver's knee airbag
• Whiplash-reducing front seats with height and tilt-adjustable head restraints
• Rear height adjustable head restraints
• Height adjustable 3-point front seatbelts
• Rear child-safety locks
• LATCH system
• Vehicle Dynamics Control
• 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Brake Assist
• Brake Override System
• Traction Control System

191.3"-191.9"

74.2"-74.6"

182-horsepower - 2.5-liter engine

260-horsepower - 2.4-liter turbocharged engine

176 lb.-ft. - 2.5-liter

277 lb.-ft.- 2.4-liter turbocharged

12.4 (FWD) 13.2 (AWD)

18.5 (AWD)

3,370 -3,640 lbs

3,641-3,946 lbs

1,500 lbs. (LE, XLE, XLE Premium and Limited) 3,500 lbs. (Adventure grade/TRD)

2,700 (Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Touring

3,500 pounds (Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness, Limited XT, Touring XT.)