We get it—it’s easy to fall into a mental block when car shopping. Before heading to the dealership, here are other SUVs we think you’d like (and should at least test drive).
If you’re shopping for a Subaru Outback, you’ve either been led in the right direction or you have excellent taste. The wagon-esque SUV has been one of Subaru’s most popular models since the early 1990s, and that’s because it was capable, reliable, affordable, spacious, and it fits into just about every lifestyle. Those core values still ring true for 2025, but there’s one major difference between now and 30-plus years ago: competition.
In the 1990s, there wasn’t a lot of competition for the Subaru Outback. All-wheel drive was just catching on, and not a lot of automakers offered it as standard equipment across all trim levels as Subaru did. Now, several AWD, off-road-ready, affordable, reliable, and spacious family-friendly SUVs keep the Outback on its toes. Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda have all produced excellent SUVs we’ve reviewed and adored just as much as the Outback.
Before you head down to your local Subaru dealership and end up charmed by talk of shelter dogs, environmentally-friendly initiatives, and trade-in values, here are our favorite SUVs that check all the boxes the Outback does. Who knows, before you buy your first flannel to match the Subaru, you might just fall in love with one of its competitors.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
But First, Here’s Why We Love the Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is like the border collie of the adventure-ready SUV class. It’s purpose-built, and even at the base level, is plenty capable. The Outback was designed to give outdoorsy families what they want: an affordable, spacious, AWD SUV that’s safe, reliable, and ready for anything. It’s no Jeep Wrangler, but the AWD system is rugged enough to keep up with one (minus rock crawling, of course).
The Wilderness trim builds on those values, with more ground clearance (9.2″ instead of the factory 8.6″), underbody protection, a turbocharged engine for more power, waterproof seats, and all-terrain tires. The Outback is popular because you don’t need to buy the Wilderness to enjoy the wild. Any trim level can do it, and that’s a rare standard in the industry.
For the price, the Outback is hard to beat. The base MSRP is $29,995 and goes up to $44,730 for the top-shelf Touring XT model. The alternatives we’re listing aren’t as rugged by default as the Subaru Outback (save for the Toyota 4Runner), but they’re trail-ready alternatives built on more efficient (or sometimes more cost-effective) platforms that come with slight modifications to keep up with the Outback.
1. The Toyota 4Runner is a Rugged Family Companion
Yes, we know, the 4Runner is a 4WD SUV (unless, of course, you buy an SR5 or SR5 Premium, which come as RWD only unless 4WD is added-on). But it competes with the Outback because it’s a rugged, off-road-ready, but family-friendly SUV. Is it as affordable? Depending on the trim level, yes. The base level SR5 trim starts at $41,270 MSRP, which is barely below the Outback’s top-shelf price of $44,730 for the Touring XT model. The Trailhunter and TRD Pro models are well north of $60,000 MSRP.
Unlike the Outback, however, the 4Runner can be configured as a hybrid with Toyota’s i-FORCE MAX hybrid system, which gives the 4Runner a boost in power and a much more truck-like towing capacity. The 4Runner, with the i-FORCE MAX, can tow 6,000 pounds. The Outback, even with the 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in the Wilderness, Onyx XT, Limited XT, and Touring XT, has a max towing rating of 3,500 pounds. Just be aware—it being a hybrid does not mean it will get stellar MPG figures. When I tested the TRD Pro, I was getting around 17 mpg around town. The Subaru was getting over 25 mpg.
It also fit my toddlers perfectly fine, and they loved the large windows. I wasn’t a huge fan of the vertical space the hybrid battery takes up in the trunk, but it was big enough to haul all four of my husband’s summer tires and wheels to the shop with room to spare. Plus, it can have a third row for the first time. It’s a dinky third row, but the Outback is solely a five-seater.
READ MORE: 2025 Toyota 4Runner First Look: It’s Back and It’s Awesome
2. Honda Makes an Affordable, Capable, and Reliable SUV, Too
The CR-V has been a favorite for families for years. It’s spacious but not humongous, it’s affordable, it’s stylish, and for 2025, it can now be bought as a hybrid or in the trail-ready TrailSport trim. We like the upcoming TrailSport trim as much as the Outback for obvious reasons: standard all-wheel drive, the price, and space. However, the CR-V TrailSport is hybrid-only, while the Outback still doesn’t have a hybrid option.
For better mileage, you do sacrifice a few things, like power (the Honda has 204 combined horsepower while the Subaru has 260 with the turbocharged engine; otherwise, the Outback produces 182 horsepower) and towing capacity (the Honda’s rating is 1,000 pounds versus the Outback’s 3,500 pounds), but the Honda’s interior comfort and space more than makes up for it.
The Outback is the best choice if you’re planning on going off the beaten path frequently, as the TrailSport is best on light-duty trails, but for everyday comfort, the Honda CR-V’s efficiency and space is better. Especially for the price: the CR-V TrailSport starts at $40,195. The Subaru’s starting price is lower at $29,995, but it comes with a lot less.
3. The Kia Sportage is a Spunky Outdoorsy Companion
If you like the Outback but you’re not ready for a larger SUV, we love the Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige. Kia puts a lot of energy into the technology and design of its interiors, and we were charmed by the high-resolution and responsive dual-screen setup, the optional sound system, and the feature-to-price ratio. Kia’s AWD system is highly underrated, and the Kia Sportage is quite capable when the going gets tough.
They’re both similar in power, too. The Subaru can come with a turbo in certain trims, but without it, the Kia generates 187 horsepower compared to 182 from the Subaru. It’s been redesigned for the 2026 model year, and we love the design. The price is excellent, too. The X-Pro Prestige is the top-tier model, and the MSRP is $39,590.
The standard Kia Sportage is efficient, but the Sportage can also be bought as a hybrid or PHEV for a fair price, too. The hybrid version starts at $30,290 and goes up to $40,390, while the PHEV ranges from $39,890 to $44,390, which is just under the Outback Touring XT’s MSRP.
READ MORE: The Kia Sportage PHEV Electric SUV Has Changed the Way I Look at Kia
4. The Toyota RAV4’s Woodland Trim is Worth Factoring In
The RAV4 is an excellent choice, no matter why it’s being picked, but the Woodland trim is Toyota’s off-road-centric trim for America’s favorite compact SUV. The Woodland trim comes with trim-specific bronze wheels, blacked-out accents, all-weather cargo mats with Woodland badging and fun off-road accessories.
Toyota’s electronic on-demand AWD system is capable and helps keep the RAV4 efficient by only splitting power evenly when slipping is detected, or if it’s put into “Trail” mode. For $37,270, it’s quite a bargain—especially when you’re getting well over 36 mpg during your daily commute. It’s not as roomy as the Outback, but standard roof rails can easily accommodate a cargo basket or box.
READ MORE: Toyota RAV4 Woodland vs. Subaru Forester: The Ultimate Off-Road Hybrid Showdown
5. Mazda’s CX-50 is a Posh, Premium, but Perfectly Capable Option
The Mazda CX-50 was spec’d against the Subaru Outback, particularly for the AWD capabilities, the poshness of the Touring XT trim, and the adventure-readiness. The 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, the Subaru Outback Touring XT’s arch nemesis, as they’re similarly priced, both feature brown leather on the inside and have a peppy turbocharged engine.
The Mazda’s driving dynamics are much sportier and can be more powerful when premium grade fuel is added. Instead of the factory 227 horsepower with regular unleaded, Mazda is careful to advertise that premium fuel boosts the horsepower to 256. For a car of its size, either horsepower figure is impressive—but the Outback doesn’t have that option. No matter what fuel you use, it’s stuck with 260 horsepower. Which is still sizable, and it’s certainly no slouch when you put the pedal to the metal, but the CVT compared to Mazda’s traditional transmission doesn’t feel as punchy.
However, the Outback does have noticeably more interior and cargo space. I wasn’t a fan of the Mazda’s low roof line and low seating position, but my husband (who daily drives a sports car) liked the sporty element of it. The Subaru is much more open, bringing in a more chill and relaxed vibe instead of energetic and sporty. If a dynamic driving feel is an important factor in the decision to buy, be sure to check out the CX-50. Especially the off-road-centric Meridian trim.
READ MORE: The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Goes Premium—But Can it Outclass the Competition?
6. Nissan’s Rock Creek Edition of the Rogue is Worth a Look
The Nissan Rogue isn’t as large and in charge as the Armada is, or as tough as the Pathfinder. In fact, if you shrunk down the Pathfinder to be more Subaru Forester-sized, you’d get the Rogue. It’s not powered by a brawny V8 or a sturdy V6—instead, there’s a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces around 201 horsepower. The Rock Creek edition is one of our favorites, as it comes standard with an intelligent all-wheel drive system, hill-descent control, and comes from the factory with all-terrain tires.
The interior is upgraded too, with “lava red” accent stitching, water repellent but comfortable leatherette seats, and respectable ground clearance. This might be hard to believe, but the Rogue Rock Creek actually has more cargo space than the Outback, and a more aesthetically pleasing design language. The Outback felt roomier for rear passengers, though, and had a cushier ride.
But the Rock Creek’s price of $35,420 keeps it in the same league as the Outback. Nissan’s off-road capabilities tend to fall off the radar, but we promise you—it’s a lot tougher than it looks. Plus, the trim-exclusive colors are very handsome paired with the Rock Creek’s black and lava red accenting.
READ MORE: 2024 Nissan Rogue Platinum AWD: Is This Thing On?
7. The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT is a Sassy, Stylish Contender
If you’re attracted to the Outback based on it’s wagon-like looks, we think you’d like the Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim’s curb appeal. It’s built off of the SEL trim of the Santa Fe, and includes higher ground clearance (8.3 inches), all-terrain tires from the factory, an optional and very attractive matte orange exterior color, and black accents throughout to complete a more off-road-ready aesthetic. The XRT also has unique wheel and front grille designs, too.
The XRT has Hyundai’s 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates around 277 horsepower, which is more than Subaru’s optional turbocharged engine. Like the Subaru, the XRT comes standard with all-wheel drive, a simplified interior (for easier clean-up, of course), and all-weather cargo and floor mats.
The only catch is, the Hyundai Santa Fe XRT is pricey compared to the price range of the Outback. The XRT trim starts at $42,445, which is just a few Gs less than the Touring XT, and noticeably more expensive than the Wilderness model. You do, however, get a third row and more cargo space when the third row is folded down.
READ MORE: The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Review: This Car is So Good My Husband Wants One ASAP
8. The Mitsubishi Outlander Trail Edition is Potent and Roomy
We’ve loved the Mistubishi Outlander for a long time, particularly the PHEV, but recently we were introduced with the upcoming Trail Edition of the Outlander and fell in love all over again. Not much was changed to the powertrain, it still has Mitsubishi’s 2.0-liter four cylinder engine. There’s no turbo option, and that’s okay—because it helps keep mileage in the high twenties, even when driving around town with all-wheel drive.
It comes with all-terrain tires, black accenting, and quite possibly the best exterior decals we’ve ever seen. The Thule cargo box, roof rack, and fun travel stickers are dealer add-ons, too. If you factor in the box and rack, the price comes to around $43,000. Without those bits, the price is $41,325 MSRP. Which is incredibly fair, especially considering it comes with a third row.
The Subaru Outback is hard to beat, but even at the base, it’s the Swiss Army Knife of AWD SUVs. If you aren’t ready for that kind of commitment, the SUVs we listed are great alternatives to off-road ready SUVs with tough looks and simple modifications from the factory.
READ MORE: 5 Reasons We’re Stoked About the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Trail Edition
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