2025 Subaru Outback vs Competitors
Overview
The Outback has been a mainstay in Subaru’s lineup for over 30 years, straddling the line between wagon and crossover. Direct comparisons with other vehicles are challenging because the once-ubiquitous wagon body style has vanished from U.S. showrooms, except for a handful of European luxury brands. That means the Outback’s rivals come in the form of compact crossovers: vehicles with two-row seating for five and a rear cargo area, like the Outback. To see how the 2025 Subaru Outback holds its own, we’ve compiled a side-by-side comparison of this outdoorsy hauler against the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Mazda CX-50. Unless we state otherwise, this matchup involves the respective entry-level 2025 trim with all-wheel drive.
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Price and Value
The Outback's starting MSRP of $28,895 puts it in the bargain category. Not only is this Subaru cheaper than the CX-50 ($30,300), CR-V ($31,600), and Escape ($31,665), but it also comes with a price tag usually associated with smaller sedans and hatchbacks. Value also underscores the 2025 Outback. It comes standard not just with all-wheel drive but also amenities like heated front seats and satellite radio. The only competitor that includes satellite radio is the Escape, and heated front seats are only found on more expensive trim levels with the CR-V and CX-50.
Cost of Ownership
The Outback’s value theme continues beyond the purchase price. A detailed analysis by Edmunds shows that the 2025 Outback has substantially lower overall ownership costs over five years (based on 15,000 miles per year). Considering factors such as fuel, insurance, financing, taxes, fees, and maintenance, the typical 2025 Outback owner can expect costs of $0.50 per mile. This contrasts with the Honda CR-V at $0.53 and the Mazda CX-50 at $0.54. The Ford Escape came in with an average cost-per-mile of $0.57. The Outback's lower estimated repair costs and substantially lower five-year depreciation rate contribute significantly to the difference. When you calculate the numbers, it’s clear that owners of the 2025 Outback will save thousands compared to those who buys these rival models.
Fuel Economy and Range
The EPA has determined that the 2025 Subaru Outback returns 26 mpg around town and 32 mpg on the highway. These official estimates are equal to the Escape with a three-cylinder engine and slightly better on the highway compared to the CR-V’s 31 mpg rating. The CX-50 trails with a rating of 25 mpg around town and 31 mpg on the open road.
Meanwhile, the Outback’s large fuel tank (18.5 gallons) provides an advantage over the competition, as it can hold 14.0 to 15.9 gallons. In practical terms, this means filling up less frequently, which is also advantageous on long trips. At its best, the Outback has a maximum highway range of 592 miles. In contrast, the CR-V can only travel 434 miles between gas station stops. The number is 493 miles for the CX-50 and 502 miles for the Escape. This gap of 90 to 158 miles translates into less interrupted driving and the ability to travel farther off the beaten path without worrying about finding a gas station.
Dimensions
The Outback's 191.1-inch length is 1.8 to 5.3 inches more than that of the three crossover rivals mentioned here. The stretched-out footprint and tall greenhouse help give this Subaru more room in specific areas. Specifically, the Outback leads with more front headroom, legroom, and shoulder room than the CR-V, Escape, and CX-50. Another key measurement, 57.4 inches of rear shoulder room, makes three-across seating more comfortable in the Outback's second row.
