Compare the2026 Nissan RogueVS 2026 Subaru Outback

The Nissan Rogue has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Outback doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Rogue Platinum has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Outback doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Nissan Rogue achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Subaru Outback has not been tested.

Both the Rogue 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, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Nissan Rogue achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Outback has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

There are over 66 percent more Nissan dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Rogue’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Rogue has a standard 720-amp battery. The Outback’s 620-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Rogue third among compact suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Outback isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 11th.

The Rogue’s 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 21 more horsepower (201 vs. 180) and 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (225 vs. 178) than the Outback 2.5i’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Rogue uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Outback XT/Wilderness requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Rogue has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Outback doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better traction, the Rogue has larger tires than the Outback (235/65R17 vs. 225/65R17).

The Rogue has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Outback doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Rogue 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.

For better maneuverability, the Rogue’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Outback’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.5 feet).

The Nissan Rogue may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 pounds less than the Subaru Outback.

The Rogue is 8.7 inches shorter than the Outback, making the Rogue easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front step up height for the Rogue is 1.4 inches lower than the Outback (17.6” vs. 19”).

The Rogue has a much larger cargo volume than the Outback with its rear seat up (36.5 vs. 34.6 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Rogue Rock Creek/Platinum’s available liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Outback doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Rogue Platinum’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Outback doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Rogue Platinum 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 Rogue and the Outback have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Rogue 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.

On a hot day the Rogue’s driver can lower the driver’s window 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 Rogue’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Outback’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Rogue is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Outback doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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

The Nissan Rogue outsold the Subaru Outback by 38% during 2025.