Crosstrek vs Outback: Which Is Best For You?

At Subaru of Rochester, we carry two models that share a unique place in the crossover category: lifted versions of non-crossover passenger cars. The Outback began as a raised version of the Legacy wagon. Over the years, it became so much more popular than the wagon in the US that Subaru decided to label all their wagons in the US as Outbacks. It is still clear that the Outback has wagon proportions and is a version of the Legacy sedan. The Outback’s success prompted Subaru to apply the same formula to the Impreza, with the raised version of the Impreza Hatchback under the moniker Crosstrek. With all Imprezas being hatchbacks now, the similarity is even more apparent. Because most crossovers share a platform with standard passenger cars but hide it with different styling, the Outback and Crosstrek are the most honest crossovers on the market. 

They are also among the best crossovers on the market, as their many accolades can attest. Both have greater ground clearance than most competitors. Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel-drive (AWD) system puts the transmission behind the engine like a rear-wheel drive vehicle. This provides a weight distribution advantage over front-drive-based competitors with all the hardware ahead of the front axle. The boxer engines also help lower the center of gravity, which is often high on crossover models. Add the effective X-Mode system and Subaru’s overall engineering excellence, and you have two capable crossover models. The question is: Which model is best for you?

The Size Difference

Let’s start with the most obvious difference: the Outback is one class size larger than the Crosstrek. Specifically, it is 3.3 inches wider, 3.3 inches taller, has a 3-inch longer wheelbase, and is a significant 15.5 inches longer. For front passengers, the cabin is wider but otherwise negligible. Rear-seat passengers get three more inches of legroom, which can significantly affect adults’ comfort over long distances. The two more inches of shoulder room doesn’t sound like much, but it can make a noticeable difference with three passengers in the rear seat. 

Cargo space is another major difference; the Outback’s 32.6 cubic feet behind the 2nd row is 64% greater than the Crosstrek’s 19.9. As expected, the Outback’s 75.6 cubic feet of maximum cargo space is also significantly greater than the 54.7 cubic feet of the Crosstrek. 

If you are single, a couple, or the kids are small, the Crosstrek may be large enough. But if this is the family car and the kids are becoming teenagers, or you frequently have adults in the rear seat, the Outback may work better for you. 

Price Differences and Overlap

The other most obvious difference between the two model lines is their respective price ranges. The Crosstrek’s starting MSRP is $25,195. The Outback starts at $28,895, just under the price of the Crosstrek Sport, which is about halfway up the Crosstrek’s model line. The Crosstrek Limited’s MSRP of $31,095 – the highest trim level except for the off-road-focused Wilderness – is just $100 below the Outback Premium, one step up from the base model. This price range overlap is likely why the Crosstrek has five trim levels while the Outback stretches to eight, with three upper XT models offering amenities not found on the Crosstrek.

Drivetrains

Here, you will also find differences and commonalities. One major shared component is the continuously variable transmission on all Crosstrek and Outback models. The Crosstrek engine on the base and Premium trim levels is a 2.0-liter boxer-4 producing 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of peak torque. Crosstrek Sport, Limited, and Wilderness models have a larger 2.5-liter boxer-4 that produces 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. This engine and power specs also power the first four of Outback’s eight trim levels. Weighing on average about 345 fewer pounds than the Outback, the 2.5-liter Crosstreks can be expected to have a little brisker acceleration. 

The upper half of the Outback model line is considerably more powerful, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer-4 that makes 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. So equipped, the Outback will easily out-accelerate any Crosstrek model. 

Off the Road 

The off-road and stability hardware is largely common to both model lines. All models come standard with: 

• Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system 
• X-Mode drive mode selector
• Hill Descent Control
• Vehicle Dynamics Control
• Active Torque Vectoring

Non-Wilderness models of both model lines also have 8.7 inches of ground clearance, which is better than most competing models in their respective classes. The Crosstrek Wilderness is raised to 9.3 inches, topped just slightly at 9.5 inches for the Outback Wilderness. Both Crosstrek and Outback Wilderness are also equipped with dual-function X-Mode, which adds Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes, with the Outback adding low- and medium-to-high-speed functions. The Crosstrek has an advantage when things really get rough by being lighter and having a shorter wheelbase and shorter front and rear overhangs.

Efficiency

Putting Wilderness models aside for the moment, the difference between the fuel mileage of the two Crosstrek engines is almost negligible. The 2.0-liter models have an EPA-estimated city/highway rating of 27/34, with the 2.5-liter models dropping just one mpg to 26/33. The Outback with the same 2.5-liter drivetrain differs little with 26/32. In this case, efficiency for the smaller car could be stronger. The gap widens with the turbocharged models, which are rated at 22/29.

The combination of the raised ride height, larger tires, and heavier hardware of the Wilderness models lowers the Crosstrek Wilderness’s city/highway rating to 25/29. In contrast, the Outback Wilderness model is rated at 21/26.

Technology

With a little more room to work with, the Outback dash layout is more upscale, but the in-cabin technology is nearly identical to the Crosstrek, particularly below the XT model line level. Both the base Crosstrek and Outback base models feature a dual 7-inch touch Starlink infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. One step up from the base model in either model line gets a large 11.6-inch portrait-configured touchscreen with wireless smartphone compatibility.

Both the Crosstrek models start with 4-speaker audio systems on their base models and add two more speakers one step up. That first step also adds 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability for both models. A 10-speaker 432-watt Harman Kardon audio system is an option on the Crosstrek Limited and Wilderness trim levels. A 12-speaker 576-watt Harman Kardon audio system is standard on all but the bottom two Outback trim levels. 

All Crosstreks and Outbacks come standard with the EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, which includes:

• Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Centering
• Pre-collision Braking
• Lane Departure and Sway Warning
• Lane Keep Assist
• Automatic Emergency Steering

You may already suspect which model best suits your needs, desires, and pocketbook, but you won’t really know until you come to Subaru of Rochester and test both cars for yourself. Fortunately, you won’t go wrong either way.