Compare the2026 Subaru OutbackVS 2026 Nissan Rogue

The Outback has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Rogue doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Subaru Outback achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Nissan Rogue which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

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

The Subaru Outback’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Nissan Rogue does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Outback and the Rogue 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, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Outback is safer than the Rogue:

The Subaru Outback has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The Rogue is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Nissan With 3 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Nissan.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru second in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 6th.

The Outback XT/Wilderness’ standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 59 more horsepower (260 vs. 201) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 225) than the Rogue’s 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder.

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

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 Rogue doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The Outback has 3.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Rogue (18 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Outback has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Rogue. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

For better stopping power the Outback’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Rogue:

The Outback stops much shorter than the Rogue:

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

The Outback offers an available 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 Rogue’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Outback’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Rogue (108.1 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

The Outback’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the Rogue’s (58.6% to 41.4%). This gives the Outback more stable handling and braking.

The Outback Touring XT handles at .82 G’s, while the Rogue Rock Creek pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Outback Touring XT executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Rogue Platinum (27.2 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Outback has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Rogue (8.7 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the Outback to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outback Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 1.3 inches higher than on the Rogue (9.5 vs. 8.2 inches).

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Outback has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Rogue uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

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

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Outback Touring XT is quieter than the Rogue Platinum:

The Outback has 6.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Rogue (112.3 vs. 105.4).

The Outback has 1.5 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 1 inch more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Rogue.

The Outback has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Rogue with its rear seat folded (80.5 vs. 74.1 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Outback easier. The Outback’s trunk lift-over height is 28.3 inches, while the Rogue’s liftover is 29.4 inches.

The Outback’s cargo area is larger than the Rogue’s in every dimension:

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Outback. The Rogue doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Outback’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Rogue’s (2700 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Nissan Rogue is only 1500 pounds. The Outback offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Outback uses the Vehicle Dynamics Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Rogue doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 20% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 10th.

The Outback’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 Rogue’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

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 exterior PIN entry system. The Rogue doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Outback’s standard Keyless Access and Start allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push-Button Start standard on the Rogue only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Push-Button Start is not available on the Rogue SV/Rock Creek/Platinum.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Outback has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Rogue doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Outback’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Rogue SV/Rock Creek/Platinum.

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 Rogue offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Subaru Outback and Nissan Rogue offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Outback offers optional power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Rogue’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Outback keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Rogue doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Subaru Outback retains 56.65% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 51.38% resale value of the 2026 Nissan Rogue after five years, which can save the Subaru’s owner.

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