2025 Audi A4 allroad vs 2026 Subaru Outback

$47,600 · Wagon

$34,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Audi A4 allroad leaps forward with 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, presenting an upscale European driving affair wrapped in rugged wagon styling. Conversely, the 2026 Subaru Outback champions sheer utility, offering a cavernous 34.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Audi’s 24.2 cu ft. While the Audi commands a significant premium at an MSRP of $47,600 versus the Outback’s $34,995, the performance gap is undeniable; the Audi boasts 81 more horsepower. Fuel economy is surprisingly close, with the Outback slightly ahead at 27 MPG combined versus the Audi's 26 MPG combined, despite the Audi requiring premium fuel. This comparison pits spirited performance and premium engineering against overwhelming practicality and affordability, setting the stage for distinct buyer preferences.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Audi A4 allroad

The Audi A4 allroad offers superior highway cruising refinement and better city MPG efficiency at 23/30 MPG versus the Outback's 25/31 MPG, making the higher cost slightly more acceptable for daily driving polish.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Subaru Outback

The 2026 Subaru Outback wins decisively for families due to its vastly larger 34.6 cu ft cargo capacity and 81 less horsepower being irrelevant compared to its $12,605 lower starting price.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Audi A4 allroad

The 2025 Audi A4 allroad provides a significantly more engaging drive, packing 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque to move its smaller frame.

💰 Best Value

2026 Subaru Outback

With an MSRP nearly $13,000 lower and better fuel compatibility using regular unleaded, the Subaru Outback provides vastly superior overall value.

Choose the Audi A4 allroad if...

You prioritize powerful acceleration, commanding 261 hp compared to the Outback's 180 hp.
You desire the prestige and driving dynamics associated with the Audi brand and its 7-speed automated manual transmission.
You prefer a more compact footprint (187.5 inches in length) for easier city maneuvering while still enjoying AWD capability.

Choose the Subaru Outback if...

Your primary concern is budget, saving $12,605 with an MSRP of $34,995.
You need maximum utility, benefiting from 34.6 cu ft of cargo space versus the Audi's 24.2 cu ft.
You prefer to stick with regular unleaded fuel rather than the Audi's recommended premium.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Audi A4 allroad	Subaru Outback
Length	187.5"	191.7"
Width	72.7"	74.0"
Height	58.8"	67.5"
Wheelbase	110.9"	108.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Audi	Subaru
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Audi	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	gas
Horsepower	261 hp @ 6300 rpm	180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	273 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Audi	Subaru
Transmission Type	7-speed automated manual	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Audi	Subaru
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	23/30 MPG	25/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	26 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.9/459.0 mi.	450.0/558.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.3 gal.	18.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Audi	Subaru
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Cargo Floor Mats	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Audi	Subaru
Infotainment Display	10.1 in	12.1 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	180W	—
Speaker System	10	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Audi	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass Extended	—
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Audi	Subaru
Front Head Room	37.4 in.	40.2 in.
Front Leg Room	41.3 in.	43.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	57.9 in.
Seat Material: Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Hip Room	—	55.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Audi	Subaru
Rear Head Room	37.4 in.	40.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.7 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.5 in.	57.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Rear Hip Room	—	55.1 in.
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Audi	Subaru
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/45R H	225/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Audi	Subaru
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Audi	Subaru
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Audi A4 allroad and 2026 Subaru Outback.

How much more powerful is the Audi A4 allroad than the Subaru Outback?

The 2025 Audi A4 allroad boasts 261 horsepower, which is 81 horsepower more than the 2026 Subaru Outback's 180 horsepower rating. This difference is immediately noticeable when merging or accelerating at highway speeds.

Which vehicle offers significantly more usable storage space?

The 2026 Subaru Outback is the clear cargo champion, providing 34.6 cubic feet of capacity behind the rear seats. The 2025 Audi A4 allroad trails substantially with only 24.2 cubic feet available.

Is the Audi A4 allroad’s fuel economy penalized by its performance focus?

The combined MPG figures are very close, with the Audi achieving 26 MPG compared to the Outback's 27 MPG. However, the Audi also requires premium unleaded fuel, which adds to the overall running cost.

What is the primary difference in vehicle size between these two wagons/crossovers?

The Outback is a physically larger vehicle, measuring 191.7 inches long and 67.5 inches high, compared to the Audi's 187.5-inch length and 58.8-inch height. This greater height on the Outback contributes to its massive cargo volume.

How do the transmissions affect the driving feel in each vehicle?

The Audi A4 allroad uses a more performance-oriented 7-speed automated manual transmission for quicker shifts. In contrast, the Subaru Outback employs a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), which favors smooth, efficient acceleration over sporty engagement.