Subaru Outback vs Volkswagen Touareg

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Volkswagen Touareg a rating. 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.

Feature Showdown

The Subaru Outback features a 12.1-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Touareg gets a 15-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Subaru Outback stands out with panoramic roof — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen Touareg. The Volkswagen Touareg counters with wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Subaru Outback gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Volkswagen Touareg offers leather.

Drivetrain

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

The Volkswagen Touareg responds with a Diesel making 170kW and 500Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.

The Volkswagen Touareg has the clear power advantage at 170kW 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, 9mm shorter than the Volkswagen Touareg at 4,889mm (2,894mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Touareg generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 530L in the Subaru Outback and 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg, giving the Volkswagen Touareg a 280L advantage.

For towing, the Volkswagen Touareg 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 Volkswagen Touareg 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 Volkswagen Touareg.

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

Where each one leads

The Subaru Outback: the lower starting price ($48,990 against $86,790).

The Volkswagen Touareg: more power (170kW against 137kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (810L against 530L), 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

Subaru Outback scores higher, 76 vs 68

The Subaru Outback scores 76 to the Volkswagen Touareg's 68 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 1 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Subaru Outback ahead by 31 points), performance (Volkswagen Touareg ahead by 23 points), practicality (Volkswagen Touareg ahead by 18 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Volkswagen Touareg 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, 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg.

Common questions