2025 Toyota Grand Highlander vs 2026 Subaru Outback
Comparison Overview
Deciding between the spacious 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander and the rugged 2026 Subaru Outback comes down to priorities: size versus cost and efficiency. The Grand Highlander starts significantly higher at $40,860 compared to the Outback’s $34,995 MSRP, a $5,865 gap favoring Subaru immediately. However, the Toyota offers a massive advantage in power, boasting 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque against the Outback's 180 hp. For large families needing room, the Grand Highlander offers a more substantial physical footprint at 201.4 inches long. Conversely, buyers prioritizing fuel savings will appreciate the Outback’s superior 27 MPG combined rating versus the Toyota’s 24 MPG combined, despite the Toyota running on FWD while the Subaru includes standard AWD.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Subaru Outback
The 2026 Subaru Outback wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 27 MPG combined versus the Grand Highlander's 24 MPG.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander is better for families because its 201.4-inch length accommodates more passengers and cargo volume behind the third row.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
Enthusiasts will prefer the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander for its substantial 85-horsepower advantage, delivering 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
2026 Subaru Outback
The 2026 Subaru Outback provides better value, undercutting the Toyota's MSRP by $5,865 while offering standard All-Wheel Drive.
Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if...
- You absolutely need the higher performance delivered by 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
- You require the maximum interior volume afforded by the vehicle's 201.4-inch overall length.
- You prefer a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission over a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Choose the Subaru Outback if...
- Sticking closely to a budget is crucial, given the $5,865 MSRP difference ($34,995 vs $40,860).
- You prioritize efficiency, benefiting from the Outback's 27 MPG combined fuel rating.
- All-Wheel Drive capability for varied conditions is a non-negotiable standard feature.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota Grand Highlander | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 201.4" | 191.7" |
| Width | 78.3" | 74.0" |
| Height | 70.1" | 67.5" |
| Wheelbase | 116.1" | 108.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Toyota | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row 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 Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Toyota | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.4 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | flat 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm | 180 hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 1700 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 | Toyota | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Toyota | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 21/28 MPG | 25/31 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 27 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 373.8/498.4 mi. | 450.0/558.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.8 gal. | 18.0 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Toyota | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Cargo Floor Mats | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Toyota | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 12.1 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | — |
| Satellite Radio Trial Length | — | 4 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Toyota | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.5 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 43.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 60.2 in. | 57.9 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.5 in. | 55.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Toyota | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 40.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.5 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.8 in. | 57.4 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.0 in. | 55.1 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 255/65R18 | 225/60R H |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.0 in |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Toyota | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Toyota | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander and 2026 Subaru Outback.
How much more cargo space does the Outback offer than the Grand Highlander?
The 2026 Subaru Outback surprisingly beats the larger Toyota in raw storage capacity, offering 34.6 cubic feet compared to the Grand Highlander’s 20.6 cubic feet. This highlights the packaging benefits of the smaller vehicle for cargo when rear seats are utilized.
Is the Grand Highlander significantly larger than the Outback?
Yes, the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander is notably bigger, measuring 201.4 inches long compared to the 2026 Subaru Outback at 191.7 inches long. This difference in length generally translates to more spacious third-row seating in the Toyota.
Which vehicle offers better standard capability in snow or slick conditions?
The 2026 Subaru Outback includes standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD), giving it an immediate advantage in adverse weather over the front-wheel-drive based 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander.
Is the power difference worth the extra cost in the Toyota?
The Grand Highlander offers 265 hp versus the Outback's 180 hp, a substantial 85 hp advantage, which drivers focused on towing or quick highway merging might find necessary, even at a $5,865 higher starting price.
What is the main trade-off when choosing the more affordable Subaru?
The primary trade-off is horsepower, as you lose 85 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque by opting for the Outback. Additionally, the Outback uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT) versus the Toyota's 8-speed automatic.
Do these vehicles use premium fuel?
Both the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander and the 2026 Subaru Outback are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, which helps keep the long-term running costs manageable for both models.
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool