Topic: Comparison Test: 2015 Subaru Outback Ltd vs. 2015 Toyota Highlander LE

[evil_twin]

I think both of these vehicles are good choices in the segment.  I'd lean Outback with my current family of 4, and Highlander if I had more than that.

I'd step up to the 3.6R though as I have to believe that 4 cylinder gets a little weezy pushing that heavy AWD family hauler?

I've now driven both (again in Legacy format, not Outback).

I can assure you, the 2.5i is the better engine choice.  It's adequate in almost every application unless you're drag racing.  The 3.6R isn't worth the money and the constant hit at the fuel pumps.  It's not terrible on gas, but it is ~2L/100km at least worse than the 2.5i.  The only real reason to get the 3.6R is for the purrrdy HIDs

Honestly $3k to step up to the larger engine and add HID lights doesn't sound expensive at all to me.  I wouldn't consider the 2.5i.

Now to be fair, neither my wife or I commute far (at all) for work.   And ours would almost 100% of the time be driven with at least one adult (driver), 2 kids in car seats and some amount of kid junk in the trunk.  For any long trips it would be loaded to the gills.

So I would definitely value power over fuel economy. 

[Niklasky]

I've test driven the Legacy in both 2.5i and 3.6R versions. The 2.5i is very adequate and sufficient for my needs. I also appreciate the good fuel economy numbers, as I have a long commute everyday.

I would buy the 2.5i and would not consider the 3.6R.

[Fobroader]

I think both of these vehicles are good choices in the segment.  I'd lean Outback with my current family of 4, and Highlander if I had more than that.

I'd step up to the 3.6R though as I have to believe that 4 cylinder gets a little weezy pushing that heavy AWD family hauler?

I've now driven both (again in Legacy format, not Outback).

I can assure you, the 2.5i is the better engine choice.  It's adequate in almost every application unless you're drag racing.  The 3.6R isn't worth the money and the constant hit at the fuel pumps.  It's not terrible on gas, but it is ~2L/100km at least worse than the 2.5i.  The only real reason to get the 3.6R is for the purrrdy HIDs

Honestly $3k to step up to the larger engine and add HID lights doesn't sound expensive at all to me.  I wouldn't consider the 2.5i.

Now to be fair, neither my wife or I commute far (at all) for work.   And ours would almost 100% of the time be driven with at least one adult (driver), 2 kids in car seats and some amount of kid junk in the trunk.  For any long trips it would be loaded to the gills.

So I would definitely value power over fuel economy.

I agree 

[Noto]

I've test driven the Legacy in both 2.5i and 3.6R versions. The 2.5i is very adequate and sufficient for my needs. I also appreciate the good fuel economy numbers, as I have a long commute everyday.

I would buy the 2.5i and would not consider the 3.6R.

Look, I love power as much as the next autos.caforumposter, but my money would likely buy the 2.5i with an OEM HID retrofit   The money to buy it isn't bad, but 2L/100km worse is pretty bad.  That's 300L of extra fuel per year (at $1.25/L, that's $375/year, or $3,750 over 10 years of ownership.

...and that's assuming it's JUST 2L/100km worse.

[2JDM]

I've test driven the Legacy in both 2.5i and 3.6R versions. The 2.5i is very adequate and sufficient for my needs. I also appreciate the good fuel economy numbers, as I have a long commute everyday.

I would buy the 2.5i and would not consider the 3.6R.

Look, I love power as much as the next autos.caforumposter, but my money would likely buy the 2.5i with an OEM HID retrofit   The money to buy it isn't bad, but 2L/100km worse is pretty bad.  That's 300L of extra fuel per year (at $1.25/L, that's $375/year, or $3,750 over 10 years of ownership.

...and that's assuming it's JUST 2L/100km worse.

You gotta pay to play. 

[evil_twin]

I've test driven the Legacy in both 2.5i and 3.6R versions. The 2.5i is very adequate and sufficient for my needs. I also appreciate the good fuel economy numbers, as I have a long commute everyday.

I would buy the 2.5i and would not consider the 3.6R.

Look, I love power as much as the next autos.caforumposter, but my money would likely buy the 2.5i with an OEM HID retrofit   The money to buy it isn't bad, but 2L/100km worse is pretty bad.  That's 300L of extra fuel per year (at $1.25/L, that's $375/year, or $3,750 over 10 years of ownership.

...and that's assuming it's JUST 2L/100km worse.

You gotta pay to play. 

Exactly.   Why do I keep seeing the word "adequate" when we're talking about $40k+ (out the door) CUVs?  If I'm buying a (relatively) large family hauler with AWD, I'm obviously not THAT concerned with $375 of extra fuel costs per year.   If I was, I could buy any variety of FWD econobox hatchback to "adequately" haul my family around in 99.999999% of conditions in reasonable comfort and safety.

Give me 6 cylinders.

[Noto]

You gotta pay to play. 

Is that what you learned during your recent trip to Amsterdam?

[2JDM]

You gotta pay to play. 

Is that what you learned during your recent trip to Amsterdam?

 

[Fobroader]

You gotta pay to play. 

Is that what you learned during your recent trip to Amsterdam?

[johnnyboy]

Not the first time that this website talks about moving up to different packages for roofracks when they are a $370 accessory

[Niklasky]

I've test driven the Legacy in both 2.5i and 3.6R versions. The 2.5i is very adequate and sufficient for my needs. I also appreciate the good fuel economy numbers, as I have a long commute everyday.

I would buy the 2.5i and would not consider the 3.6R.

Look, I love power as much as the next autos.caforumposter, but my money would likely buy the 2.5i with an OEM HID retrofit   The money to buy it isn't bad, but 2L/100km worse is pretty bad.  That's 300L of extra fuel per year (at $1.25/L, that's $375/year, or $3,750 over 10 years of ownership.

...and that's assuming it's JUST 2L/100km worse.

My thoughts exactly. I love power as much as anyone here, but sometimes reason wins over passion.

For my use, the 2.5i is sufficient in terms of power albeit not necessarily fun to drive, and considerably cheaper to run.

And even if I can afford paying $375 more on fuel every year, and for my mileage it would probably be closer to $500, I am not in the business of burning money if I don't have to.

$500 will buy me a PS4 or a nice gift for my wife or for the kids.

[whaddaiknow]

Not the first time that this website talks about moving up to different packages for roofracks when they are a $370 accessory

+1. My Odyssey didn't come equipped with roof rails or crossbars. $300 spent on eBay and 1 hour spent gulping my favourite lager is all it took.

[Noto]

Not the first time that this website talks about moving up to different packages for roofracks when they are a $370 accessory

+1. My Odyssey didn't come equipped with roof rails or crossbars. $300 spent on eBay and 1 hour spent gulping my favourite lager is all it took.

I wish sh!t got done while I drank beer.

...unfortunately, Noto + Beer =

[Brendan McAleer]

Not the first time that this website talks about moving up to different packages for roofracks when they are a $370 accessory

+1. My Odyssey didn't come equipped with roof rails or crossbars. $300 spent on eBay and 1 hour spent gulping my favourite lager is all it took.

Those rain-gutter attachments on the Highlander aren't quite the same thing as roof rails, though I think the load-rating is ok (100kg?). Still, you'd think they'd throw them in to the convenience package.

[Snowman]

Good review and all but is the Venza not the true competitor to the Subaru Outback and not the Highlander which after all is more of a SUV than a raised wagon.

My thoughts exactly and when we were shopping back in 2010 we made that exact comparison with me picking the Outback and my wife the Venza. She won because it was her daily driver. Subaru needs to revive the Tribeca.

[Fobroader]

Good review and all but is the Venza not the true competitor to the Subaru Outback and not the Highlander which after all is more of a SUV than a raised wagon.

My thoughts exactly and when we were shopping back in 2010 we made that exact comparison with me picking the Outback and my wife the Venza. She won because it was her daily driver. Subaru needs to revive the Tribeca.

To this day I cannot understand why that vehicle was universally overlooked. Price?? Looks??

[Niklasky]

Looks probably. The first iteration was really ugly. Since they redesigned it, it looks a bit better but dated overall. An all new model is needed badly.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Good review and all but is the Venza not the true competitor to the Subaru Outback and not the Highlander which after all is more of a SUV than a raised wagon.

My thoughts exactly and when we were shopping back in 2010 we made that exact comparison with me picking the Outback and my wife the Venza. She won because it was her daily driver. Subaru needs to revive the Tribeca.

To this day I cannot understand why that vehicle was universally overlooked. Price?? Looks??

It was price for me. When the 2010(11?) Outback came out, the difference in interior room was very close, but there remained a big gap in price to a similarly equipped Tribeca. The useless third row was never going to sway us.

[johngenx]

I would totally shop these two.  The OBW would be my choice if I could live without the extra room of the Highlander.

As for the Tribeca Subaru figured out far too late that having the smallest third row, smallest cabin, and smallest cargo space in the segment with some of the highest pricing means slow, or pretty much non-existent sales.  They only moved them when they put a LOT of cash on the hood.  Honestly, sitting next to the OBW the Tribeca seemed odd.  It had the same driveline, drove way more like an SUV, (meaning not nearly as fun) didn't offer much more room, as was thousands more.

Some friends of ours have a Tribeca (2011) and love it.  But, they got $10K off, and that made it a good buy.

[Snowman]

Our Tribeca was the best SUV we ever owned.