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Subaru Outback vs Toyota 4Runner

2026 Subaru Outback vs 2026 Toyota 4Runner — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

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2026 Subaru Outback

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WD
VS4 – 1Subaru Outback wins 4 of 5 categories
Toyota 4Runner

2026 Toyota 4Runner

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Subaru Outback is more fuel-efficient: 27 vs 23 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $400 a year less in fuel for the Subaru Outback (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Toyota 4Runner is the bigger car, about 3 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Subaru Outback has had fewer recall campaigns (15 vs 38).

The two cars

The 2026 Subaru Outback is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive. It measures about 192 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,966 lb (4dr Wagon Limited/Wilderness/Premier).

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner is a standard SUV offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and part-time 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,870 lb (4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 Outback and the 2024 4Runner have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2019 Outback and the 2015 4Runner.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

27 MPG
Best combined MPG
23 MPG
25 city
City / highway MPG (best)
23 city
$2,500
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,900

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
278 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
191.7 in
Length
194.9 in
74 in
Width
78 in
67.3 in
Height
73.2 in
3,772 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,870 lb

Safety & reliability

–
Driver-assist features standard
11
0
Recalls (2026)
2
15
Recalls, all years since 2005
38
21
Owner complaints (latest year)
7

Interest

–
Wikipedia views, 30 days
25,095

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
2019
Year to avoid
2015

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Subaru Outback if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (27 vs 23 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (3 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (15 vs 38 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Toyota 4Runner if…

  • You want more room (3 in longer)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Pros & cons of each

2026 Subaru Outback

    2026 Toyota 4Runner

    • Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
    • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
    • AWD / 4WD available
    • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

    Full 2026 Subaru Outback specs →Full 2026 Toyota 4Runner specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →