Compare the2023 Subaru OutbackVS 2022 Toyota Highlander

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 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row 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.

Both the Outback and the Highlander 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 parking sensors, 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:

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:

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 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 263) than the Highlander’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

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

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 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Outback gets better mileage than the Highlander:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Outback higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Toyota Highlander (5). This means the Outback produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Highlander every 15,000 miles.

The EPA certifies the Subaru Outback as a “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Toyota Highlander is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

The Outback has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Highlander doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Outback stops shorter than the Highlander:

The Outback Wilderness/Onyx 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; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Outback Wilderness executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Highlander Platinum AWD (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

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

For greater off-road capability the Outback has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Highlander (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 (9.5 vs. 8 inches).

The Subaru Outback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 pounds less than the Toyota Highlander.

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

The front grille of the Outback 2.5i uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Highlander doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Outback has a much larger cargo volume than the Highlander with its rear seat up (32.6 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’s liftover is 31.2 inches.

The engine in the Outback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Highlander. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and 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 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 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Insurance will cost less for the Outback owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Outback with a number “5” insurance rate while the Highlander is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Outback is less expensive to operate than the Highlander because typical repairs cost much less on the Outback than the Highlander, including $64 less for a starter, $235 less for fuel injection, $133 less for a fuel pump, $1166 less for a timing belt/chain and $49 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru Outback and the Toyota Highlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.