Subaru has been building cars that are as reliable as they are rugged for as long as we can remember, and the latest 2026 Subaru Outback continues that trend in its seventh generation. It stays faithful to the usual Subaru features you'd expect — an efficient boxer engine, four-wheel-drive and an interior that's dog-proof. But with the number of Subaru Outback competitors, is it still a good buy in 2026?Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop NowIn this article we've listed our favorite Subaru Outback competitors, both used and new. America loves an adventure-ready SUV, and lots of automakers are cashing in on the trend. If you're shopping for an Outback but don't know where to start, read on.This article features some alternatives to the Subaru Outback in terms of segment and specifications; some competitors may be very different in price or vary in size — we explain why. This list is not exhaustive and considers new cars only. Prices are correct at the time of writing, and exclude destination, options, and fees. Manufacturers reserve the right to change prices at any time without notice. We rank these Subaru Outback competitors by MSRP, starting with the highest and finishing with the lowest. 2026 Subaru Outback: Overview 2026 Subaru Outback-3332For 2026, Subaru introduced an all-new design that stays looking tough while modernizing the SUV wagon shape. The engines are still carried over, but that's no bad thing as both are potent enough to keep up with everyday life. We'd still recommend getting the 260-hp turbocharged version, as it's a little bit more comfortable with fast-moving traffic, and it doesn't hurt fuel efficiency massively. Both engines are connected to a CVT system with a manual shifting mode.There's all-wheel-drive as standard, of course, and there are driving modes for any surface you may have to tackle in this car. We also loved that on the road, the cabin is quiet and comfortable, while the suspension is soft enough to absorb the bumps. Due to the flat roofline, there's slightly more headroom in the rear (40.5-inches), and enough legroom that adults in the back won't be uncomfortable for a long trip (39.5-inches).Up front, there's a 12.9-inch infotainment system which is pleasant to use, but does slightly look like an afterthought. As you'd hope in this car, the surfaces are easy to clean and seem durable, although the stars of the show are the cupholders, which are just the right size for anything you throw at them. Overall, it's a great and functional buy for anyone planning to do some light adventuring or just need a car that cares about function over form. 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Starting Price: ~$39,000 2026 Jeep Grand CherokeeThose who are looking for cars similar to the Subaru Outback will no doubt have checked out the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which has meaningful upgrades to its 2026 version. There's a slightly new look inside and out, and the arrival of the 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder gives buyers options. Oddly, for such an off-road-focused brand, AWD does not come as standard, and there's a higher starting price than the Subaru here. Still, there is a three-row version called the 'L' to give you flexibility for more space. 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Starting Price: $38,300 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVolkswagen might not be everyone's first choice, but the Atlas Cross Sport is a sensible buy for those who want good on-road manners and a well-equipped cabin in a coupe-SUV shape. The 2.0L turbo four-pot is powerful enough to have some fun, and the available 4Motion AWD is a proven system. Even though it's a four-cylinder, the Subaru still gets much better fuel economy."The Atlas Cross Sport has the recipe to become the best mid-size crossover in class, and not having the most energetic engine isn't a problem. Its job isn't to race from traffic light to traffic light, it's simply there to get up to speed as smoothly as possible. The interior and cargo space is generous and useful, the ride is excellent, and it's effortless to drive."- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz 2026 Toyota RAV4 Starting Price: $31,900 2026 Toyota RAV4 Wilderness heroThe SUV that took over America - the Toyota RAV4 - has been refreshed for 2026 with an all-new look and an all-hybrid line-up. You can get it in two flavors, one being a fuel hybrid, the other a plug-in variant that can get an impressive 52 miles of all-electric range. Subaru buyers will mainly be interested in the Woodland trim, which gives you all-terrain tires, roof rails and a unique exterior look. If you want all-out efficiency, though, the Toyota is your winner on this Subaru Outback competitors list."Toyota listened to that massive audience, took comprehensive notes, and listed out every way it could make a best-seller even better. Customers spoke, and Toyota answered: infotainment that works more like a smartphone, a quieter cabin with less road noise, more power, and better fuel economy."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-at-Large, CarBuzz 2026 Ford Bronco Sport Starting Price: $31,845 2025 Ford Bronco Sport - exteriorThe powertrain of the Ford Bronco Sport is very similar to the Outback, whichever version you get. What's different here is that the Bronco Sport is a slightly smaller car that promises the same rugged capability, albeit with less legroom for rear passengers. It's competent off-road with standard 4WD and can get seriously capable when you opt for the optional trim packages at the top of the price bracket. Plastics are eveywhere inside, but we'd say that doesn't matter on a car like this as it's easier to wipe off than cloth on the trail."As you would expect with off-road-biased suspension and higher-walled tires, the ride is supple on the road and couldn't give a factory full of fudge about the state of the road surface it's riding on. However, the chassis is nicely tuned and we didn't experience any excessive lean or wallowing through corners. It drives like a well-sorted little crossover, and we demand nothing more on the road."- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz 2026 Honda CR-V Starting Price: $30,920 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport HybridLike the Toyota RAV4, if you're planning to do any light off-roading, you'll have to spend extra money to get the Honda CR-V Trailsport trim. It adds AWD, all-terrain tires and a special green color that's only available on the rough-roads trim. It might not have the same outright capability of the Subaru, but for most people, this is more than enough for their commute. There's also a hybrid option here, which isn't available on the Outback."For those already in the CR-V camp, the TrailSport is a fine purchase, with exterior design changes that inject some persona into the sedate crossover and a nice list of interior upgrades that elevate the trim to near-luxury status, plus practically no downsides apart from the higher price and slight efficiency penalty."- Brett T. Evans, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz 2026 Mazda CX-50 Starting Price: $29,900 2025 Mazda CX-50The Mazda CX-50 is one of the cheapest yet most compelling vehicles similar to the Subaru Outback thanks to standard AWD and the presence of an efficient hybrid engine. Even the most expensive turbo variant of the CX-50 comes in at only $42,900, which is pretty affordable for the features you get. You can spec a heated steering wheel, ventilated seats, wireless charging and even a 12-speaker Bose sound system. It's a great buy in a competitive market. 2026 Hyundai Tucson Starting Price: $29,200 2025 Hyundai Tucson Blue Front Angled ViewThe Hyundai Tucson is the only car here you can buy with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, and that system gives you a smooth 32 miles of all-electric range. Cars like the Subaru Outback have an off-road focus, but this Tucson is mainly for small families who need the capability of an SUV once in a while. AWD is standard on the hybrid models, but the FWD gas version is priced aggressively to be one of the cheapest in its class. 2026 Nissan Rogue Starting $29,090 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek Edition front, three-quarterLike the other Japanese Subaru Outback alternatives, the Nissan Rogue offers a Rock Creek trim that focuses on trail driving. AWD, an off-road camera, and lots of exterior cues are included to make it look and feel more capable. The three-cylinder engine isn't anything to write home about, but buyers will be able to opt for a plug-in hybrid later this year, and that should be a bit more rewarding to drive. The suspension on the Rock Creek is capable enough, especially considering it's unchanged from the standard model. Used: 2021 Audi A6 allroad Price Range: $30,000-$40,000 2020-2021 Audi A6 allroadIf you're looking for an SUV that can go off-road lightly, why not look at a different shape of vehicle? The Audi A6 Allroad is a premium wagon that's been raised and fitted with Audi's legendary quattro system to get you off any slippy surface. It's fitted with a 3.0L V6 as standard, and being the premium choice in the range, you can get optional extras like heated rear seats, adaptive cruise control and a genuine wood dashboard. Also, wagons just look cooler. Fact.Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop Now
