Looking for a roomy and capable SUV that doubles as a grocery-getter as well as a canyon climber? Two of the newest midsize SUVs answer that call in the redesigned 2026 Subaru Outback and 2026 Honda Passport. These models might not have been comparable until this year, as Subaru upsized the sixth-generation Outback to stand out more from the Forester, and Honda leaned into the Passport’s considerable size and added more of an off-road edge for the redesigned fourth-generation model.

Both new models have all-wheel drive (AWD) standard and a suite of advanced driver-assist systems focused on safety. Both have dedicated off-road models in the Outback Wilderness and Passport TrailSport. Both warrant a closer look, especially when compared.

2026 Subaru Outback

Boxier with more vertical ends, the Subaru Outback not only looks like a complete departure from its wagon roots, but it’s sized like a midsize SUV with more passenger and cargo space than ever before. Even though it’s about two inches taller and 1.6 inches wider than its predecessor, however, it comes up short on cargo volume compared to the Passport. The Outback stands out with greater ground clearance (8.7 inches versus 8.3 inches in the Passport) and is much more efficient than the V6 Passport. It’s not as powerful, but it also costs significantly less than the Passport, while still having many of the same standard features.

The interior of the Outback matches the significant changes to the outside. Subaru swapped out the vertically-oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen for a 12.1-inch unit that stretches horizontally. It blends in better with the new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which is standard across the lineup. It all adds up to a low dash with well-integrated screens that don’t block the view out of an SUV with one of the broadest fields of view in the market.

Highlights

EyeSight

Subaru’s EyeSight safety tech suite makes concerns about driving safety a thing of the past, thanks to driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and acceleration override assist. The Touring trim’s new safety option lets you get up to 85mph hands-free.

27 mpg combined

The larger Outback loses 1 mpg compared to last year’s model, but its 27 mpg combined rating still dominates the Passport’s 21 mpg combined. Under the hood is a lightly revised 180-horsepower 4-cylinder engine with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that mimics eight gear shifts. Subaru refined the cabin by quieting the engine and reducing other noise, giving it a level of polish it previously lacked. Even the available 260-hp turbo 4-cylinder engine on top trims gets 24 mpg combined.

Outback Wilderness

The Subaru Outback Wilderness gives the Outback more off-road capability than it already has, instilling some confidence once that access road becomes an overgrown, rutted path. The Wilderness has 9.5 inches of ground clearance, electronically controlled dampers for a softer on-road feel, 17-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, water-repellent upholstery, a revised AWD system shared with the standard Outback that limits wheelspin, and the 260-hp turbo-4. It also has greater approach, breakover, and departure angles than its predecessor. The Passport TrailSport has better approach and departure angles, but the Outback has a better breakover angle, thanks to its shorter wheelbase. That, and its more manageable size, make the Wilderness a better choice than the TrailSport, especially in wooded areas.

2026 Honda Passport

Also fully redesigned for 2026, the Honda Passport features a longer wheelbase for more interior comfort, as well as a wider track and increased ground clearance across the lineup. The tried-and-true 3.5-liter V6 makes 5 hp more to 285 hp, and the 9-speed automatic has been replaced by a 10-speed that routes power to a more robust AWD system. The Passport now features a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 10.2-inch digital cluster, and a new operating system.

Across the range, the Passport features more premium touches than the Outback, including a Bose 12-speaker sound system and available leather upholstery. Like the Outback, the brand’s Honda Sensing suite of driver assist features comes standard, and that includes lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Like Subaru, Honda improved ride quality with a stiffer body. Honda’s reputation for good steering feel even applies to this iteration of the Passport, including TrailSport models.

Highlights

More standard creature comforts

For the $10,000 more that Honda charges for the base Passport RTL compared to› the base Outback Premium, it comes with a few upgrades. Standard features include heated front seats, power-adjustable front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a wireless device charger. The infotainment system also runs on Google built-in that mimics smartphone apps and responsiveness.

Passport TrailSport

Steel skid plates protect the Passport TrailSport, which has the same 8.3 inches of ground clearance as other Passport models. The TrailSport off-road line debuted on the 2022 Passport and has since spread to other models in Honda’s lineup. But it was mostly a cosmetic upgrade until this year. Yes, there are tow hooks and 18-inch General Grabber all-terrain tires, but there’s also higher bumpers and increased approach and departure angles, and a torque-vectoring rear differential.

Honda’s V6

The V6 is becoming an endangered engine, even in the midsize SUV class. Honda’s reputation for reliability and longevity should apply to the retuned 285-hp V6. Fuel economy suffers at 21 mpg combined (20 mpg combined in the TrailSport), but there’s more power here — and potentially more peace of mind, too with this V6.

The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2026 Subaru Outback vehicles and New 2026 Honda Passport vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.

Conclusion

The big difference here is size and price. The Passport has more passenger and cargo space, with more rear legroom, and comes somewhat better equipped. It leans toward the premium segment in some trims, too, and for the first time, the TrailSport is a worthy opponent to the Outback Wilderness. While Subaru has made strides in refining the Outback, it’s the go-anywhere, do-anything proletariat of the two. We, as proletariats ourselves, prefer a value, and that’s where the Outback stands out most.

KBB.com editor Jasmine Bingham contributed to this comparison.