2027 Subaru Crosstrek vs Subaru Outback: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Crosstrek — it leads our weighted scorecard 5–2 across 8 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($26,995 vs $32,995) and better 5-year value retention (56% vs 47.7%). Choose the Outback if you want the most power (260 hp vs 194 hp).
Scorecard: Crosstrek 5 pts · Outback 2 pts across 8 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Crosstrek | 2027 Outback | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $26,995 | $32,995 | Crosstrek |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 56% | 47.7% | Crosstrek |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 29 mpg | 27 mpg | Crosstrek |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 194 hp | 260 hp | Outback |
| Max towing (1) | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb | Tie |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 23.3 cu ft | 34.6 cu ft | Outback |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 2 | 2 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 5 | 2 | Crosstrek |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Crosstrek — 29 mpg vs 27 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the Outback — 34.6 cu ft vs 23.3 cu ft (cargo behind rear seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Crosstrek — $26,995 vs $32,995 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $24,772 for the Crosstrek vs $23,189 for the Outback.
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Crosstrek — 56% vs 47.7% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — Crosstrek 3,500 lb vs Outback 3,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Crosstrek starts at $26,995 and tops out at $35,995; the Outback runs $32,995 to $46,595 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Used, the median asking price is $24,772 for the Crosstrek and $23,189 for the Outback (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Crosstrek: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Outback: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Crosstrek 2, Outback 2.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Outback 2016 (avoid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Crosstrek | 2027 Outback | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $26,995 | $32,995 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $35,995 | $46,595 |
| Horsepower | 180–194 hp | 180–260 hp |
| Max torque | 178 lb-ft | 277 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 26–29 mpg | 23–27 mpg |
| Max towing | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 23.3 cu ft | 34.6 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| Crosstrek | Outback | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 176.4 in | 191.7 in |
| Width | 70.9 in | 74 in |
| Height | 62.8 in | 67.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 in | 108.1 in |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in | 8.7 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Crosstrek lists for a median $21,004 — 56% of today's median new price of $37,484. A 5-year-old (2021) Outback lists for a median $22,070 — 47.7% of today's median new price of $46,303.
Shop both
- See 18,440 new 2027 Subaru Crosstreks for sale →Median listed price $33,836 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2027 Subaru Outbacks for sale →
Negotiating either one?
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More on the Subaru Crosstrek
More on the Subaru Outback
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Crosstrek better than the Outback?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Crosstrek — it leads our weighted scorecard 5–2 across 8 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($26,995 vs $32,995) and better 5-year value retention (56% vs 47.7%). Choose the Outback if you want the most power (260 hp vs 194 hp).
Which is more reliable, the Crosstrek or the Outback?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Crosstrek and 2 for the Outback.
Which holds its value better, the Crosstrek or the Outback?
The Crosstrek: a 5-year-old example lists for 56% of the new price, versus 47.7% for the Outback, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Crosstrek or the Outback?
The Crosstrek starts lower: $26,995 vs $32,995 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the Crosstrek or the Outback?
The Crosstrek: up to 29 mpg combined vs 27 mpg for the Outback (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Subaru Crosstrek vs Subaru Outback: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/subaru-crosstrek-vs-subaru-outback, updated November 8, 2026.