Comparing Subaru Crosstrek vs. Subaru Outback: Which Crossover is Best?
Subaru has long been synonymous with vehicles that blend adventure-ready capabilities with everyday practicality. Their reputation for safety, reliability, and versatility has made them a top choice for drivers seeking crossovers that can handle a variety of driving conditions, from busy city streets to rugged outdoor trails. When it comes to Subaru’s offerings in the crossover SUV category, the Subaru Crosstrek vs. Outback comparison stands out when considering the unique features and capabilities of both vehicles.
This comparison will delve into the key differences between the Subaru Crosstrek and Subaru Outback, helping you choose the model that best aligns with your driving needs and lifestyle.
Subaru Crosstrek vs. Subaru Outback: Key Differences at a Glance
Size and Space
The Subaru Crosstrek is a compact crossover, designed to offer agility and ease of manoeuvrability, especially in tight urban environments. Its smaller dimensions make it ideal for city dwellers who need a vehicle that can easily navigate crowded streets and fit into tight parking spaces.
On the other hand, the Subaru Outback is a midsize crossover that offers significantly more interior space. This larger size translates to more room for passengers and cargo, making it a better option for those who frequently carry outdoor gear, travel long distances, or require more overall space. The Outback’s larger footprint also gives it a more spacious and comfortable interior, making it ideal for longer trips with the family.
Performance and Handling
Both the Crosstrek and Outback are equipped with Subaru’s signature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, which provides stability and traction on various terrains, including slippery or uneven roads. This makes both models excellent choices for drivers who want a vehicle that can handle inclement weather and light off-road conditions.
However, the Crosstrek features a smaller 2.0-litre engine that delivers adequate power for everyday driving, particularly in urban and suburban environments. It’s an efficient engine that offers solid fuel economy without compromising on performance.
The Outback, on the other hand, comes in a powerful 2.5-litre engine and a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine variant, making it better suited for heavy-duty tasks like towing, off-road driving, and highway cruising. The increased engine size offers greater performance, particularly when it comes to handling rougher terrain or heavier loads.
In-Depth Look at the Subaru Crosstrek
Why Choose the Subaru Crosstrek?
The Subaru Crosstrek is perfect for those who want a compact, efficient crossover that offers versatility without the bulk of larger SUVs. Whether you’re a city dweller who needs a vehicle that can easily navigate through traffic or a weekend adventurer looking for a reliable companion for light off-road excursions, the Crosstrek is a well-rounded option.
Key Features of the Subaru Crosstrek
Comfort: The Crosstrek offers a comfortable interior with high-quality materials. Its cabin is designed with user-friendly technology that enhances the driving experience, including an intuitive infotainment system and available advanced features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Utility: Despite its compact size, the Crosstrek offers impressive cargo space, especially when the rear seats are folded down. This makes it a practical option for drivers who need versatility for carrying gear, groceries, or other large items.
Safety: Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology comes standard on the Crosstrek, providing features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and pre-collision braking. This advanced safety system adds an extra layer of protection for both the driver and passengers.
Subaru Crosstrek in Action
The Crosstrek’s compact dimensions make it an excellent choice for urban environments. It’s easy to manoeuvre through traffic and park in tight spaces. On weekends, the Crosstrek performs admirably when driving through light off-road terrain, such as dirt roads or trails, offering ample clearance and control for an enjoyable outdoor experience.
In-Depth Look at the Subaru Outback
Why Choose the Subaru Outback?
The Subaru Outback is an excellent choice for larger families, avid outdoors enthusiasts, or those who need a more spacious vehicle that can handle more demanding driving conditions. With its larger footprint, more powerful engine, and extensive cargo capacity, the Outback is built for long road trips, heavy-duty tasks, and rugged adventures.
Key Features of the Subaru Outback
Comfort: The Outback offers a spacious interior that can comfortably accommodate families, with ample legroom and premium materials throughout the cabin. The seats are supportive, and the available dual-zone climate control ensures a pleasant driving experience for all passengers.
Utility: The Outback excels in utility, offering more cargo space than the Crosstrek, making it the go-to choice for those who need to transport outdoor gear, luggage, or other large items. Additionally, roof rails come standard on the Outback, allowing for the easy attachment of bikes, kayaks, or roof boxes for extra storage.
Safety: The Outback features Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology as well, along with additional safety features such as a Driver Monitoring System. These features add to the Outback’s family-friendly appeal, providing extra peace of mind for drivers and passengers alike.
Subaru Outback in Action
The Outback shines when it comes to long road trips and off-road excursions. Its enhanced ground clearance and robust engine make it capable of tackling more challenging terrains, including rocky paths and muddy trails. On highways, the Outback offers a smooth and controlled ride, while its higher-performance engine makes it a strong contender for towing heavy loads.
Subaru Safety: A Common Strength in Both Models
The Subaru EyeSight Advantage
Both the Crosstrek and Outback are equipped with Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, a system that includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and pre-collision braking. This advanced suite of safety features helps prevent accidents and makes driving easier, especially during long trips or in heavy traffic.
Additional Safety Features
In addition to EyeSight, both models include features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert to ensure that drivers are aware of their surroundings at all times. The Crosstrek, in particular, offers more advanced safety options in higher trim levels, such as a 360-degree camera view to provide comprehensive coverage of the vehicle’s surroundings.
Subaru’s Safety Legacy
Subaru has been a leader in automotive safety for decades, and both the Crosstrek and Outback continue this legacy. Their commitment to innovative safety technologies ensures that both vehicles are among the safest in their class, providing drivers with confidence on every journey.
Comparing Subaru Crosstrek and Subaru Outback: Which is Right for You?
Which Model Suits City Driving Best?
The Subaru Crosstrek is better suited for urban driving thanks to its compact size, lightweight build, and fuel efficiency. It’s easy to manoeuvre through city streets, park in tight spaces, and handle daily commutes with minimal hassle.
Which Model is Better for Long Family Trips?
The Subaru Outback is the superior choice for long family road trips. Its larger interior, more powerful engine, and extra cargo space make it better equipped for extended journeys with family, friends, and luggage.
Which Model Offers the Most Utility?
The Subaru Outback offers more utility, especially when it comes to cargo space, towing capacity, and off-road capabilities. Its larger size and roof rails make it more suitable for outdoor adventures and hauling heavy gear.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Subaru Crosstrek or Outback better for city driving?
The Crosstrek’s compact size and fuel efficiency make it the better choice for city driving. Its manoeuvrability and ease of parking are key advantages in urban environments.
What are the main differences between the Subaru Crosstrek vs. Outback?
The Crosstrek is a smaller, more affordable option with better fuel efficiency, while the Outback is a larger, more powerful vehicle designed for greater comfort, off-road capabilities, and long-distance travel.
Does the Subaru Outback have more cargo space than the Crosstrek?
Yes, the Outback offers more cargo space and is better equipped to carry larger loads, making it a better choice for those who need additional storage capacity.
How do the safety features of the Crosstrek and Outback compare?
Both models come standard with Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. The Crosstrek, however, offers additional safety features, such as 360-degree camera views on higher trims.
Which Subaru model is better for fuel efficiency: Crosstrek or Outback?
The Crosstrek is generally more fuel-efficient due to its smaller engine and lighter build, but the Outback performs better on highways and long trips.
Can both models handle off-road terrain?
Yes, both the Crosstrek and Outback feature Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and are capable of handling light off-road terrain. The Outback, however, is better equipped for more demanding off-road conditions.
Which Subaru Crossover is Right for You?
Both the Subaru Crosstrek and Outback are excellent choices, each catering to different needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a compact, city-friendly crossover with great fuel efficiency and versatile capabilities, the Crosstrek is the way to go. However, if you need a larger, more powerful vehicle capable of handling long road trips, outdoor adventures, and heavy loads, the Outback offers a more spacious and robust option.
Regardless of your choice, Subaru’s reputation for safety, reliability, and adventure-ready performance ensures that both vehicles will meet your needs and exceed your expectations on South Africa’s roads.
Experience them both and make your choice—book a test drive now.
