Porsche Macan vs Subaru Outback

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published ratings include no record for the Porsche Macan. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Charging times

How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.

Feature Showdown

The Porsche Macan features a 10.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.6-inch digital dash, while the Subaru Outback gets a 12.1-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Porsche Macan stands out with head-up display, wireless charging, ventilated seats, Bose audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru Outback. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Porsche Macan gets leather upholstery while the Subaru Outback offers synthetic leather.

Drivetrain

The Porsche Macan uses a Electric producing 420kW and 955Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.8 seconds.

The Subaru Outback responds with a Petrol making 137kW and 254Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.

The Porsche Macan has the clear power advantage at 420kW vs 137kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Porsche Macan measures 4,805mm long on a 2,893mm wheelbase, 75mm shorter than the Subaru Outback at 4,880mm (2,745mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Porsche Macan generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 476L in the Porsche Macan and 530L in the Subaru Outback, giving the Subaru Outback a 54L advantage.

For towing, the Porsche Macan leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Subaru Outback's turning circle is 1.0 m tighter, 11.1 m against 12.1 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Porsche Macan costs about $1,018 a year (21.2 kWh/100km) and fuel for the Subaru Outback about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.

Warranty: 3 years / Unlimited (Porsche Macan) and 5 years / Unlimited (Subaru Outback). Capped-price servicing: no data (Porsche Macan), 5 years (Subaru Outback).

Where each one leads

The Porsche Macan: more power (420kW against 137kW) and the higher braked towing limit (2,500kg against 2,000kg).

The Subaru Outback: the lower starting price ($48,990 against $171,100), the bigger boot with the seats up (530L against 476L) and the longer warranty (5 years against 3).

The Verdict

Subaru Outback scores higher, 76 vs 61

The Subaru Outback scores 76 to the Porsche Macan's 61 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: performance (Porsche Macan ahead by 59 points), value (Subaru Outback ahead by 35 points), safety (Subaru Outback ahead by 29 points). Boot space with the seats up: 476L in the Porsche Macan, 530L in the Subaru Outback. Warranty: 3 years on the Porsche Macan, 5 on the Subaru Outback.

Common questions