2026–27 Toyota RAV4 vs Subaru Outback: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the RAV4 — it leads our weighted scorecard 7–0.5 across 8 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($31,900 vs $32,995) and better 5-year value retention (63.7% vs 47.7%). Choose the Outback if a shorter recent recall list matters to you (2 vs 5).
Scorecard: RAV4 7 pts · Outback 0.5 pts across 8 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 RAV4 | 2027 Outback | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $31,900 | $32,995 | RAV4 |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 0.18 | — | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 63.7% | 47.7% | RAV4 |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 43 mpg | 27 mpg | RAV4 |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 324 hp | 260 hp | RAV4 |
| Max towing (1) | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb | Tie |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 37.8 cu ft | 34.6 cu ft | RAV4 |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 2.2% off MSRP | — | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 5 | 2 | Outback |
| Weighted points | 7 | 0.5 | RAV4 |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the RAV4 — 43 mpg vs 27 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the RAV4 — 37.8 cu ft vs 34.6 cu ft (cargo behind rear seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the RAV4 — $31,900 vs $32,995 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $28,621 for the RAV4 vs $23,189 for the Outback.
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the RAV4 — 63.7% vs 47.7% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — RAV4 3,500 lb vs Outback 3,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The RAV4 starts at $31,900 and tops out at $48,500; the Outback runs $32,995 to $46,595 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified RAV4 buyers paid a median 2.2% off MSRP across 70 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 4.2% off. Used, the median asking price is $28,621 for the RAV4 and $23,189 for the Outback (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- RAV4: 0.18 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 98th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Outback: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: RAV4 5, 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
| 2026 RAV4 | 2027 Outback | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $31,900 | $32,995 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $48,500 | $46,595 |
| Horsepower | 226–324 hp | 180–260 hp |
| Max torque | 170 lb-ft | 277 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 38–43 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 23–27 mpg |
| Max towing | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb |
| Max payload | 1,340 lb | — |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 37.8 cu ft | 34.6 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| RAV4 | Outback | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 181 in | 191.7 in |
| Width | 73 in | 74 in |
| Height | 66.5 in | 67.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 in | 108.1 in |
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in | 8.7 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) RAV4 lists for a median $26,414 — 63.7% of today's median new price of $41,446. A 5-year-old (2021) Outback lists for a median $22,070 — 47.7% of today's median new price of $46,303.
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More on the Toyota RAV4
More on the Subaru Outback
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the RAV4 better than the Outback?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the RAV4 — it leads our weighted scorecard 7–0.5 across 8 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($31,900 vs $32,995) and better 5-year value retention (63.7% vs 47.7%). Choose the Outback if a shorter recent recall list matters to you (2 vs 5).
Which is more reliable, the RAV4 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 5 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 RAV4 and 2 for the Outback.
Which holds its value better, the RAV4 or the Outback?
The RAV4: a 5-year-old example lists for 63.7% 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 RAV4 or the Outback?
The RAV4 starts lower: $31,900 vs $32,995 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the RAV4 or the Outback?
The RAV4: up to 43 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, "2026–27 Toyota RAV4 vs Subaru Outback: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/toyota-rav4-vs-subaru-outback, updated November 8, 2026.