I used to be in the camp of "shouldn't this be the competitor," but have come to understand where autos.ca comes from in choosing their comparos. First, they take what they can get
![Tongue :P](https://www.autos.ca/forum/Smileys/CarTalk/tongue.gif)
; second, lines are so blurred these days that anything 'similar' can be compared. I think this was a great comparo!
...and as always, Noto is gonna give man-props to Brendan for entertaining me when the skies are grey:
![](http://voteforparty.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/e00d.png)
I've only driven a 2011 Outback, but I recently was in the 2015 3.6R and 2.5i Legacy so I can only comment on that basis. I did look in an OBW trunk and found it to be mammoth inside - totally beyond what anyone could possibly reach without leaning against the rear bumper!
In any event, the Highlander just seems like a lot of car to me. It's 500+lbs heavier than the Outback, it's 3" wider, it's 2" longer, and 2" taller despite 0.7" less ground clearance. Brendan's conclusion is exactly right; unless you need towing or the third row, the Outback is the better choice.
Only thing about the Legacy/Outback line that pisses me off: HIDs are only available with the 3.6R - cannot be had with the 2.5i, which IMO, is the better engine (when pricing is considered). The 3.6R probably isn't worth the $3k to get it and HIDs.
With that being said, the options list is more irritating with the Highlander - forcing people up a trim to get roof rails or the split rear tailgate glass is almost like VW's irritating forcing you to Comfortline to get a fricken driver's armrest, or Toyota's (in 2010, at least) forcing you to get the LE (instead of CE) to get VARIABLE intermittent wipers. To think I own a 2010 vehicle without variable intermittent wipers...gah!
Any way, OBW for me. Love its looks, find it easier to drive, less like a truck, and does more than everything I would need.