2025 Subaru Outback vs. 2025 Toyota RAV4 Comparison

The 2025 Subaru Outback and 2025 Toyota RAV4 are great choices for shoppers who want a safe and comfortable vehicle, along with a wide range of trim levels.

Neither the Outback nor the RAV4 have any major updates for 2025. The Outback is still fresh from a midcycle redesign in 2023; however, the Limited model gains some new standard equipment for 2025, such as a power moonroof, heated steering wheel and rear seats, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assistance and a Harman Kardon sound system.

As for the Toyota RAV4, this generation dates back to the 2019 model year. Since then, Toyota has kept this hugely popular SUV up to date with added safety features and updated tech, including larger infotainment touchscreens and wireless smartphone connectivity. The RAV4 is one of the best-selling vehicles sold today, and, as we’ll soon discover, there are multiple reasons for that. 

How does the Subaru Outback compare against the Toyota RAV4?

Let’s find out.

2025 Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback is available in no fewer than nine trims: Base, Premium, Limited, Onyx Edition, Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness, Limited, Limited XT, and Touring. Prices range from $30,315 for the entry-level model to $41,765 for a fully loaded Touring.

A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine sends 182 horsepower to all four wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Optional is a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that delivers a stout 260 hp. This is the engine found in the Wilderness and the XT-labeled trims of the Onyx Edition, Touring, and Limited.

Subaru Outback Highlights

Turbocharged engine: The workhorse 182-hp 4-cylinder is fine, especially if you’re looking to keep the price of the Outback low. Yet the added power provided by the 260-hp turbo 4-cylinder gives this Subaru far better acceleration and passing power. It does come with a substantial price premium, however.

All-terrain Wilderness trim: Unlike many SUVs that struggle to traverse anything more demanding than a grassy parking lot at a local pumpkin patch, the Outback isn’t afraid to venture onto unpaved surfaces. This is especially true with the Wilderness trim. It has extra ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and additional driver-selectable drive modes for mud and snow.

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive: Thanks to having standard all-wheel drive (AWD), the Outback is a smart choice for folks who routinely must deal with slick roads. Subaru knows how to engineer effective all-wheel-drive systems, which find their way into almost every model the brand makes, and it shows in the reassuring feel of the Outback when you’re behind the wheel.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Outback models for sale near you.

2025 Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 also comes with a wide range of trims. For the 2025 model year, there are four in total: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims get dropped for this year. Pricing begins at $30,245 and extends to $38,550. A 203-hp 4-cylinder coupled to an 8-speed automatic is standard across the range. Front- or all-wheel drive is available.

Toyota RAV4 Highlights

Many safety features: The RAV4 has a long roster of driver aids. Every model comes with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and automatic high-beam headlights. Moving up to the XLE trim adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Cargo volume: Behind its 60/40-split folding rear seat, the RAV4 delivers 37.6 cubic feet of cargo volume. This is a huge amount of space for a compact SUV, and it’s even more than you’ll find in the back of the spacious Outback.

Good fuel economy: The RAV4 is not only affordable, its 4-cylinder engine returns solid fuel economy, too. It’s rated by the EPA at 30 mpg combined, which ticks down only slightly (to 29 or 28 mpg, depending on trim) when all-wheel drive is added.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the RAV4 models for sale near you.

Similarities

The Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4 deliver a commanding view of the road, seating for five, ample cargo areas, and a healthy lineup of standard and available active driver aids. What’s more, they are similarly fuel-efficient, have identical warranties, and both have earned 5-star overall safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Pricing

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 2025 Subaru Outback vehicles and 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.

	2025 Subaru Outback	2025 Toyota RAV4
Popular Powertrains
Engine	2.5-liter 4-cylinder	2.5-liter 4-cylinder
Horsepower	182 hp @ 5,800 rpm	203 hp @ 6,600 rpm
Torque	176 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm	184 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm
Transmission	CVT	8-speed automatic
Fuel economy	26 mpg city/32 mpg highway/28 mpg combined	27 mpg city/35 mpg highway/30 mpg combined
Also Available	Turbo 2.4-liter 4-cyl.	AWD
Specs
Basic Warranty	3 years/36,000 miles	3 years/36,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	5 years/60,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
NHTSA Overall Safety	5 star	5 star
Max Seating Capacity	5	5
Wheelbase	108.1 inches	105.9 inches
Overall Length	191.1 inches	180.9 inches
Width	74.2 inches	73.0 inches
Height	66.4 inches	67.0 inches
Turning Diameter	36.1 feet	36.1 feet
Headroom, Front	40.1 inches	39.5 inches
Headroom, Rear	39.1 inches	39.5 inches
Legroom, Front	42.8 inches	41.0 inches
Legroom, Rear	39.5 inches	37.8 inches
Shoulder Room, Front	58.1 inches	57.8 inches
Shoulder Room, Rear	57.4 inches	56.4 inches
Cargo Volume	32.6 cubic feet	37.6 cubic feet

Conclusion

The Outback and RAV4 deserve to be on the shopping list of anyone considering a value-conscious, 5-seat compact SUV. In multiple ways, even in resale, little separates these two.

The Outback’s standard all-wheel drive and more wagonlike shape make it something of a contrarian’s choice, at least compared to more conventional SUVs like the RAV4. On the other hand, the Toyota’s not the most stylish vehicle out there, even though its upright shape pays off big in passenger space and cargo volume.

While you won’t go wrong with either of these SUVs, it’s worth noting that the RAV4 also is available as a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid.