Executive Summary
Subaru Crosstrek vs Subaru Outback
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Outback has the longer wheelbase (the distance between the axles is three inches longer than the Crosstrek). Lengthening the distance between the axles provides an even smoother ride because the vehicle platform covers more square area and therefore bumps are less noticeable.
Both are "Top Safety Pick Plus" award winners of from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the highest honor. Outback and Crosstrek offer the utility and all-weather prowess of a sport utility vehicle with the lower cost, higher fuel economy, better ride, and superior outward visibility of a car. They boast many safety features, including full-time symmetrical all wheel drive (with no buttons to push).
Comparably equipped, Outback is about $4,000 more. When equipped with the standard engines, Outback gives up only one mile per gallon to Crosstrek around town, and they both return 33mpg on the highway.
Outback | Crosstrek | |
| Ground clearance is the same, at 8.7 inches, so both vehicles elude obstacles that snag mortal vehicles. These Subarus are just beastly in deep snow. |  |  |
| Outback is two inches wider. |  |  |
| Outback is fourteen inches longer. |  |  |
| Outback is two and a half inches taller. |  |  |
| "Long Travel" Suspension. Both cars have lots of "dead cat space" between the top of the tire and the bottom of the wheel well. (That's the technical industry term, believe it or not. But don't worry, we love cats.) |  |  |
| Outward Visibility: Both have a "command driving position" allowing you to see over traffic in front of you. They also feature an ingenious window design that allows you to look past the outside mirrors. |   |   |
| Dawg (and cargo) Space: You can fit a whole kennel in the Outback, including our Greeter, Blue. He likes all the room to take his buddies along (Pabst and Mabel), so you could say he prefers the waggin'. |  35.5 cubic ft: seats up |  20.8 cubic ft: seats up |
| Two adult bicycles fit easily inside the Outback, flat with the wheels on. They would fit in a Crosstrek, but you'll need to take the front wheels off. |  75.7 cubic ft: seats down  Adult bike with kid's bike on top, wheels on, lying flat. |  55.3 cubic ft: seats down  Adult bike, front wheel on but turned up. Second bike would need wheel off. |
| Power Tailgate Option: Optional on only on Outback. Watch our instructional video here. |  Note the extra rod that actuates the hatch |  |
| Total People Space: Outback is considerably larger inside |  109 cubic ft |  100.9 cubic ft |
| Rear Legroom: About the same; both benefit from ingenious scooping of front seats so there's more room for knees. |  39.5 inches |  36.5 inches |
| Price: comparably equipped, Outback is about $4,000 more. | | |
| Towing Capacity: Forester can tow a small utility trailer but for a sailboat you'll need the Outback. | 2700 pounds with six preset gear ranges (3,500 pounds with optional turbo engine) | 1500 pounds with six preset gear ranges |
Airbags: Both have the six listed below
|  Eight total airbags Outback uses two cushion airbags for driver and front passenger to prevent "submarining." (#4 above) |  Seven total airbags Crosstrek uses knee airbag for driver to prevent "submarining." (#4 above) |
| Crash Tests: Both earn the highest Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest "Top Safety Pick PLUS" ratings. |  |  |
| Engines and Fuel Economy: most folks find the standard engine sufficiently potent, but both cars are also available with power upgrade, see below. |  2.5 Liter four cylinder 182 horsepower Continuously Variable Transmission 26 city, 33 highway No Manual Offered |  2.0 Liter four cylinder 152 horsepower Continuously Variable Transmission 27 city, 33 highway. Six-speed manual (through 2023): 23 city, 29 highway |
| Optional Engines: Outback's turbo really puts the "Sport" in Sport Utility Vehicle. Crosstrek offers the only plug-in Hybrid powertrain in the entire Subaru line-up. Crosstrek also offers an optional 2.5 liter engine that comes in the Sport and Limited models, available only with an automatic. 26 city, 34 highway. | Optional 2.4 liter boxer six cylinder 260 horsepower Continuously variable automatic transmission: 26 mpg combined |  Optional 2.0 liter hybrid boxer four cylinder engine 148 horsepower Continuously variable automatic transmission: 35 mpg combined (90 MPGe) highway |
| Typical Competitors: Of course we don't think a Subaru has any competition. But the nice folks who buy cars here say that they looked at these vehicles before they bought a Planet Subaru. Click on any of the blue links for a dedicated comparison. |
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| Rooftop Cargo Solutions: Except on Touring model and Wilderness model, Outback offers standard roof rails (the bars that run front to back) AND integrated crossbars (the bars that run side to side). Rails are standard on all Crosstreks except base model; crossbars optional on all Crosstrek models. |  Integrated crossbars are posed partially open to show how they work. |  Optional crossbars are easily bolted on to the standard rails (except base model).. |
| Planet-exclusive high resolution photo galleries, videos, and much more... |
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Subaru shoppers from Boston to Plymouth know that they will learn a lot from Planet's comparison between the Outback and Crosstrek.
