Compare the2023 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain WagonVS 2023 Subaru Outback

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages

Safety

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The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Outback doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon offers an optional Post Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Outback doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Outback only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Outback’s blind spot costs extra.

Both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and the Outback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon weighs 609 to 914 pounds more than the Subaru Outback. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is safer than the Subaru Outback:

	E-Class All-Terrain Wagon	Outback
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	204	241
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	29%	43%
Neck Stress	120 lbs.	147 lbs.

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 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is safer than the Subaru Outback:

	E-Class All-Terrain Wagon	Outback
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	223 lbs.	247 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	46 G’s	51 G’s
Hip Force	594 lbs.	635 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	14 inches
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	43 G’s

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

Warranty

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Outback’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a 180-amp alternator. The Outback’s standard 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard 850-amp battery. The Outback’s 620-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. With 2 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Subaru.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Subaru With 31 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Subaru.

Engine

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 180 more horsepower (362 vs. 182) and 193 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 176) than the Outback 2.5i’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 102 more horsepower (362 vs. 260) and 92 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 277) than the Outback XT/Wilderness’ standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is faster than the Subaru Outback:

	E-Class All-Terrain Wagon	Outback 2.5i	Outback XT/Wilderness
Zero to 60 MPH	5 sec	8.7 sec	6.1 sec
Quarter Mile	13.7 sec	16.6 sec	14.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99.7 MPH	86.1 MPH	95 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the E 450 All-Terrain 4MATIC gets better fuel mileage than the Outback Wilderness (21 city/28 hwy vs. 21 city/26 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Outback doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outback (21.1 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Outback:

	E-Class All-Terrain Wagon	Outback
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	12.4 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	11.8 inches

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon stops much shorter than the Outback:

	E-Class All-Terrain Wagon	Outback
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	191 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	132 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has larger tires than the Outback (245/45R19 vs. 225/65R17).

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Outback’s standard 65 series tires. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Outback Onyx/Limited/Touring’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Outback. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Outback Onyx/Limited/Touring.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Outback doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The front and rear suspension of the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Outback, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Outback’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Outback doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Outback doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Outback doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s wheelbase is 7.6 inches longer than on the Outback (115.7 inches vs. 108.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Outback.

The E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain handles at .89 G’s, while the Outback Wilderness pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the Outback Limited (26.2 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

Chassis

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is 7.2 inches shorter in height than the Outback, making the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Passenger Space

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has standard seating for 7 passengers; the Outback can only carry 5.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has 3.5 inches more front hip room and 4 inches more rear hip room than the Outback.

Cargo Capacity

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s cargo area provides more volume than the Outback.

	E-Class All-Terrain Wagon	Outback
Third Seat Removed	35 cubic feet	32.6 cubic feet

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s cargo area is larger than the Outback’s in almost every dimension:

	E-Class All-Terrain Wagon	Outback
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	46.3”/78.9”	42”/75”
Max Width	43.3”	51”
Min Width	32.2”	43.3”
Height	32.2”	32.1”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Outback doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Servicing Ease

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outback uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Outback doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Outback Limited/Touring, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Outback doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Outback doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and the Outback have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outback prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Outback’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully. The Outback Limited/Wilderness/Touring/Onyx Edition’s .

If the windows are left open on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outback can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Outback’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Outback doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the Outback Premium/Limited/Wilderness/Touring/Onyx.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Outback.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Outback Premium/Limited/Wilderness/Touring/Onyx.

Both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and the Outback offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has available rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Outback doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outback doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Outback doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Mercedes E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Subaru Outback isn’t available as a coupe, convertible or sedan.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is less expensive to operate than the Outback because it costs $173 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon than the Outback, including $37 less for front struts.

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