Jayco Eagle vs Subaru Outback
What's the difference?

Jayco Eagle

—

2018 price

View pricing & specs

Subaru Outback

$48,990 - $62,690

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Summary

2018 Jayco Eagle

2026 Subaru Outback

By Marcus Craft

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Flat 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

8.1L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Brilliant packaging
Dynamic sophistication
Ease, comfort and fun

Dislikes

Average warranty
Divisive design
No manual option

2018 Jayco Eagle Summary

People with camper-trailers are increasingly looking to push their travel boundaries and so they head off the bitumen, onto dirt roads and go bush.

But on-road camper-trailers are not suited to cope with the extra stresses that dirt-road or gravel-track driving bring, which is why campers better equipped for light-duty bush driving, such as Jayco’s Outback versions of its models, are finding favor with buyers.

We took an Eagle Outback into the bush to check it out.

View full pricing & specs

2026 Subaru Outback Summary

It’s 2026 and over 30 years and through six generations the Subaru Outback as we knew it… is gone.

Gone is the defiantly wagon-esque crossover style that was one of the first, as well as likely the most-successful, for the boxy beast you see here.

RIP, original Subaru Outback.

But, don’t worry, folks, because, except for a couple of issues, things only get better by and large, with the big new seventh-gen model.

And, in the most important ways, the 2026 Outback is a true Subaru at heart, so let’s dive straight in!

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2018 Jayco Eagle 2026 Subaru Outback

Verdict

The Jayco Eagle Outback, for me, is an example of a camper-trailer getting closer to what I reckon a truly off-road-capable Jayco camper will be like.

There's nothing in Jayco's current line-up that offers comfort and full functionality and is also capable of tackling decent off-roading, so we're looking forward to testing Jayco's first line-up of dedicated off-road campers, including the JTrak Outback and Outback X.

Verdict

Over 30 years and seven generations of Outback in Australia, the latest might just be the best.

It's great to drive, even better to sit in, very easy to live and willing to go further than most equivalent large SUVs at its price point.

The styling is definitely divisive, with purists unhappy that the long, crossover wagon silhouette is now gone, but what we have instead is a family-friendly vehicle that pleases on so many fronts.

We’d go as far as saying the latest Outback might be the most-rounded Subaru currently available, and great value to boot. And the base AWD is all the SUV most people will ever need.

That’s not bad for something this square!

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Jayco Eagle vs Subaru Outback What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Jayco Eagle vs Subaru Outback
What's the difference?