Subaru Outback vs Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
What's the difference?

Subaru Outback

$48,990 - $62,690

2026 price

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Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

$138,028 - $279,900

2026 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2026 Subaru Outback

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

By Marcus Craft

By Chris Thompson

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.4L

Diesel Turbo 6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Diesel

Fuel Efficiency

9.7L/100km (combined)

7.4L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Maintains Outback spirit
All-around drivability
Off-road capability

Practical and spacious
Comfortable ride
Easy power delivery

Dislikes

Gold edging
Needs better all-terrain tyres
More off-road goodies would add to the appeal

Almost unjustifiably expensive
Some will find interior outdated
Servicing costs

2026 Subaru Outback Summary

The Subaru Outback holds a special place in the hearts of adventurers everywhere. It’s long been regarded by its fans as a genuine mix of decent on-road manners, family-friendly practicality and sound off-road capability. Just right for light-duty off-roading.

Now, Subaru claims, it has made the Outback even better and a new off-road-focussed variant called the all-wheel-drive Wilderness now sits near the top of the line-up.

The Wilderness is equipped with a 2.4-litre turbo-petrol, four-cylinder, horizontally-opposed 'boxer' engine, 240mm of ground clearance, improved approach/departure angles and electronically controlled dampers.

But is this new Outback all it’s cracked up to be? Read on.

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2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Summary

Well into its second generation, the Mercedes-Benz GLE remains a key player in the luxury large SUV space.

Though it lags well behind the BMW X5 in terms of sales, by about half in fact, the GLE still aims to exude status and luxury, helped by a facelift in 2023.

In its category, there are however plenty of badges with the power to lure buyers away: Audi, Porsche and Range Rover. Even non-Euros like Genesis and Lexus.

Despite the facelift, the category is moving on with big screens and more tech, where the GLE still has to rely on some traditional charm to win over wallets - especially in our big diesel ‘450d’ guise.

A week behind the wheel around and out of the city should reveal whether the GLE still has a strong-enough USP in 2025.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Subaru Outback 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Verdict

If you’re a Subaru fan chances are the Wilderness will float your boat. It’s an appealing mix of on-road refinement and more than satisfactory capability on bush tracks.

The Wilderness engine-and-CVT combination helps to make this Subaru well refined and highly responsive on-road and it benefits from punchier low-rev output in off-road scenarios.

Subaru has made a habit of producing practical vehicles and this new addition to the upgraded Outback line-up doesn’t disappoint.

Does anyone need a Wilderness version of the Outback? Probably not. Will anyone want a Wilderness edition Outback? I reckon a lot of Outback fans would fall over themselves to get their hands on one of these.

Verdict

If you can get past the relatively steep asking price, the design appeals to you, and its slightly last-gen ergonomics work for you, then there’s a lot to like about the GLE. It’s a big, capable and comfortable cruiser, but given there are cheaper and more efficient options around, it would be a decision of the heart rather than the head.

Subaru Outback vs Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Subaru Outback vs Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
What's the difference?