Compare the2022 Subaru OutbackVS 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Outback have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Outback. But it costs extra on the Highlander Hybrid.

Both the Outback and the Highlander Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Outback is safer than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Outback is safer than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Outback XT/Wilderness’ standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 17 more horsepower (260 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Outback XT/Wilderness 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Outback lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The Outback has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Highlander Hybrid (18.5 vs. 17.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Outback Wilderness/Onyx Edition XT has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Highlander Hybrid; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Outback Limited XT executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD (27.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Outback’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Highlander Hybrid’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outback has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Highlander Hybrid (8.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Outback to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outback Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 1.5 inches higher than on the Highlander Hybrid (9.5 vs. 8 inches).

The Subaru Outback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 700 pounds less than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

The Outback is 3.6 inches shorter than the Highlander Hybrid, making the Outback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Outback has a much larger cargo volume than the Highlander Hybrid with its rear seat up (32.5 vs. 16 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Outback easier. The Outback’s trunk lift-over height is 28.4 inches, while the Highlander Hybrid’s liftover is 31.2 inches.

The engine in the Outback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Highlander Hybrid. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Outback’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Outback Base). The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Outback’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Highlander Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Outback as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.