The 2026 Subaru Outback and 2026 Toyota RAV4 are popular SUVs among both families and outdoor enthusiasts, offering the perfect balance for daily commutes and weekend adventures. In this RAV4 vs. Outback comparison, our team at Great Falls Subaru explores their performance and costs to help you determine which SUV better suits your Montana lifestyle.
Design and Comfort
The 2026 Outback measures 192.3 inches long, 75.8 inches wide, and 68.1 inches tall on a 108.1-inch wheelbase. The RAV4 is smaller at 180.9 inches long, 73 inches wide, and 67 inches tall with a 105.9-inch wheelbase. That extra 11 inches translates into more interior room.
The Outback boasts up to 9.5 inches of ground clearance compared to the RAV4's 8.6 inches maximum. The Subaru Outback boasts a rugged exterior with bold body trim, while the Toyota RAV4 offers various styles, giving you flexibility.
The Outback provides 109 cubic feet of passenger space compared to the RAV4's 98.9 cubic feet, offering extra front shoulder room, headroom, back-seat legroom, and hip room. The RAV4 offers 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space in the rear, which expands to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded vs. the Outback's 32.6 and 75.6 total cubic feet, respectively.
Performance and Capability
Subaru has chosen to continue with gas engines, while Toyota has fully embraced hybrid technology for 2026. The basic Outback uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder BOXER engine that produces 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. The Outback XT and Wilderness have a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Toyota's RAV4 hybrid produces 226 horsepower in front-wheel drive and 236 horsepower with all-wheel drive. The RAV4 Woodland and GR Sport plug-in hybrids deliver 320 horsepower.
The Toyota RAV4 edges ahead in fuel efficiency, achieving 27 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined in front-wheel drive and 27 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined in all-wheel drive. The standard Outback gets 26 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. The Subaru Outback includes Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard, while all-wheel drive costs extra in the RAV4.
The standard Outback trims have a towing capacity of 2,700 pounds, while the turbocharged models can pull 3,500 pounds. All RAV4 models have a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds.
Technology and Safety
The 2026 Outback features a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 12.1-inch touch screen in most models, with dual 7-inch screens in the base models. The RAV4 offers a standard 8-inch multimedia system, which increases to 10.5 inches in the Limited model. The Outback offers a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, while the RAV4 features an available 11-speaker JBL system in higher trims.
The 2026 Outback features the EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies, which includes hands-free driving assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The RAV4's standard safety technology includes pedestrian detection, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams.
Pricing, Value, and Ownership
The 2026 Outback is available in six trim levels: the Premium, Limited, Limited XT, Touring, Touring XT, and Wilderness, with MSRPs expected to range between $36,445 and $49,445. The Toyota RAV4 offers 10 models, with expected starting prices from $34,000 to $51,000.
Both vehicles offer identical warranties: three-year/36,000-mile basic and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage. Long-term costs generally favor the Toyota regarding reliability and resale value, while the Subaru excels in all-weather capability. Subaru vehicle maintenance generally costs more due to the higher complexity of the all-wheel-drive systems and BOXER engines.
Which SUV Is Right for You?
Your choice ultimately depends on your Montana lifestyle. The RAV4 stands out with impressive fuel efficiency thanks to its hybrid technology, which is ideal for your commutes and shopping trips.
The Outback is suitable if your priorities include towing and navigating winter weather conditions. Its standard all-wheel drive provides excellent traction on snow and ice, while its higher towing capacity allows for adventures that the RAV4 can't match. If you're planning trips into the Montana wilderness or need serious pulling power, the Outback is the clear winner.
The Outback also edges ahead in terms of family comfort, offering more shoulder room, headroom, legroom, and hip room for tall passengers.
Discover Your Ideal SUV at Great Falls Subaru
Deciding which Subaru Outback vs. Toyota RAV4 specs best fit your lifestyle depends on your priorities and preferences. The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is ideal if you're looking for the latest car technology, excellent fuel efficiency, innovative hybrid features, and reliability. The Outback offers a straightforward design, standard all-wheel drive across all models, and an impressive towing capacity, which is perfect for your outdoor adventures. If you're in Great Falls, Montana, contact us to explore our extensive SUV inventory and special offers and to schedule a test-drive.
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