Subaru Outback vs Toyota Prado

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Subaru Outback at 5 stars (2021) and the Toyota Prado at 5 stars (2024). ANCAP tested these in different years (2021 vs 2024). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 88% for the Subaru Outback and 85% for the Toyota Prado, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Subaru Outback, against 5 on the Toyota Prado.

Both include the essentials: lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 9 in the Subaru Outback and 9 in the Toyota Prado.

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.

Feature Showdown

The Subaru Outback features a 12.1-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Toyota Prado gets a 12.3-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Subaru Outback stands out with panoramic roof, heated front seats and power tailgate — features our data doesn't list for the Toyota Prado. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Subaru Outback gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Toyota Prado offers cloth.

Drivetrain

The Subaru Outback uses a Petrol producing 137kW and 254Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a AWD layout.

The Toyota Prado responds with a 2.8L 4-cyl Turbo-Diesel 48V V-Active making 150kW and 500Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.6 seconds.

The Toyota Prado has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 137kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Subaru Outback measures 4,880mm long on a 2,745mm wheelbase, 110mm shorter than the Toyota Prado at 4,990mm (2,850mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota Prado generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 530L in the Subaru Outback and 408L in the Toyota Prado, giving the Subaru Outback a 122L advantage.

For towing, the Toyota Prado leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 1,500kg 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 0.9 m tighter, 11.1 m against 12.0 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Subaru Outback costs about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km) and fuel for the Toyota Prado about $2,166 a year (7.6 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $143 a year less for the Toyota Prado.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Subaru Outback) and 5 years / Unlimited (Toyota Prado). Capped-price servicing: 5 years (Subaru Outback), no data (Toyota Prado).

Where each one leads

The Subaru Outback: the lower starting price ($48,990 against $72,500) and the bigger boot with the seats up (530L against 408L).

The Toyota Prado: more power (150kW against 137kW), the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 2,000kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,166 a year against $2,309).

The Verdict

Toyota Prado scores higher, 77 vs 76

The Toyota Prado scores 77 to the Subaru Outback's 76 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: performance (Toyota Prado ahead by 11 points), value (Subaru Outback ahead by 7 points), practicality (Toyota Prado ahead by 7 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Toyota Prado costs about $143 less (7.6 L/100km against 8.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 530L in the Subaru Outback, 408L in the Toyota Prado.

Common questions