Subaru Outback vs Toyota RAV4
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Subaru Outback scores higher, 76 vs 73
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 11 Sep 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Subaru Outback
18 of 27 standard · no option data · 9 no dataFrom
$48,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 137kW
- Economy
- 8.1 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2021
- Boot (seats up)
- 530L
Top CarSorted Score, 76 vs 73, but the Toyota RAV4 is $3,000 cheaper
Subaru Australia offer: bonus, $850 toward your deposit. Terms
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Toyota RAV4
15 of 27 standard · no option data · 7 not offered · 5 no dataFrom
$45,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Hybrid
- Engine
- Petrol Hybrid
- Power
- 143kW
- Economy
- 4.5 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 705L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Manufacturer offer
No end date printed
$850 Fitted Accessories
Offer from Subaru Australia, checked 9 Nov 2026
T&Cs apply, as the maker prints them. Eligibility, stock and build limits vary, so confirm the offer with the dealer.
$48,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$45,990RRP
- cannot be matched: Rain-Sensing Wipers, Heated Front Seats and Power Tailgate not offered
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
Subaru Outback AWD
$48,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 29 July 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $203 a week in repayments ($48,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Toyota RAV4 GX Hybrid 2WD
$45,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
$50,872 drive-away in VIC, as published by Toyota Australia Toyota Australia's price page
About $212 a week in repayments ($50,872 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Toyota RAV4 starts $3,000 lower on RRP.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$203/wk(≈$881/mo)
Estimate on the Subaru Outback at $48,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Subaru OutbackDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published record does not give the Toyota RAV4 a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 6 of 10 key systems on the Subaru Outback and 7 on the Toyota RAV4.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
Subaru Outback
- REC-005831 · published 20 Nov 2023The front drive shaft may not meet manufacturing specifications and the outer race of the front driveshaft may crack.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-005485 · published 3 Aug 2022Due to a manufacturing issue, the Electronic Park Brake (EPB) adaptor cord connector may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2015 - 2018
- REC-001697 · published 24 Aug 2021The fuel pump impeller may not meet manufacturing specifications, as a result it may become deformed.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2019
- 11 more on the model page.
Toyota RAV4
- REC-006390 · published 22 Jul 2025Due to a software programming issue, a memory device in the Combination Meter may deteriorate over time.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2025
- REC-005409 · published 26 Apr 2022Due to a software issue, if the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system is turned off, it may not default to the ON setting the next time the vehicle is started.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2022
- REC-001312 · published 9 Jun 2020Small cracks may form in the front lower suspension arms and with rapid acceleration and deceleration over the parts' lifetime, these cracks could spread and the suspension arm can eventually separate from the front wheel assembly.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2020
- 6 more on the model page.
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 RAV4 gets a 10.5-inch display and 12.3-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 RAV4. 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 RAV4 offers cloth.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Subaru Outback uses a Petrol producing 137kW and 254Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a AWD layout.
The Toyota RAV4 responds with a Petrol Hybrid making 143kW, paired to a cvt (e-cvt) driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.4 seconds.
The Toyota RAV4 has the clear power advantage at 143kW 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, 280mm longer than the Toyota RAV4 at 4,600mm (2,690mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru Outback generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 530L in the Subaru Outback and 705L in the Toyota RAV4, giving the Toyota RAV4 a 175L advantage.
For towing, the Subaru Outback leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 800kg. That 1,200kg 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 0.3 m tighter, 11.1 m against 11.4 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 RAV4 about $1,283 a year (4.5 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $1,026 a year less for the Toyota RAV4.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Subaru Outback) and 5 years / Unlimited (Toyota RAV4). Capped-price servicing: 5 years (Subaru Outback), no data (Toyota RAV4).
Where each one leads
The Subaru Outback: the higher braked towing limit (2,000kg against 800kg).
The Toyota RAV4: the lower starting price ($45,990 against $48,990), more power (143kW against 137kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (705L against 530L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,283 a year against $2,309).
The Verdict
Subaru Outback scores higher, 76 vs 73
The Subaru Outback scores 76 to the Toyota RAV4's 73 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 1 of the 5 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: fuel economy (Toyota RAV4 ahead by 32 points), safety (Subaru Outback ahead by 27 points), technology (Subaru Outback ahead by 26 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Toyota RAV4 costs about $1,026 less (4.5 L/100km against 8.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 530L in the Subaru Outback, 705L in the Toyota RAV4.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$203/wk(≈$881/mo)
Estimate on the Subaru Outback at $48,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Subaru OutbackDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4?
The Toyota RAV4 is the cheapest at $45,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru Outback by $3,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota RAV4 uses the least fuel at 4.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Subaru Outback holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2021). ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Toyota RAV4, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Toyota RAV4 has the largest boot at 705L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Subaru Outback has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota RAV4 makes the most power at 143kW.
Track the Subaru Outback & Toyota RAV4
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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