Volkswagen ID. Buzz vs Subaru Outback
What's the difference?

Volkswagen ID. Buzz

$56,880 - $128,880

2025 price

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Subaru Outback

$48,990 - $62,690

2026 price

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Summary

2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz

2026 Subaru Outback

By James Cleary

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Not Applicable, 0.0L

Flat 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type

Electric

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

0.0L/100km (combined)

8.1L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Uber-cool design
Practicality
Value

Brilliant packaging
Dynamic sophistication
Ease, comfort and fun

Dislikes

Some wind noise
No spare wheel
So-so steering feel

Average warranty
Divisive design
No manual option

2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Summary

You might call it six degrees of Kombi separation. Somewhere, somehow just about all of us have a VW bus lurking in our family and friends' back story. And this is the latest version of that familiar box on wheels to hit the Aussie market.

It’s the premium, sportier, AWD GTX version of the pure-electric Volkswagen ID.Buzz.

This one-box wonder hits the retro-futurist ball out of the park and we attended its local launch to explore whether what’s under the skin supports the promise of its stunning exterior.

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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!

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz 2026 Subaru Outback

Verdict

The only way to make this car cooler would be to add a split fold-out windscreen and a tube steel luggage rack on the roof.

It’s fast, super practical, comfortable and guaranteed to put a smile on the face of premium family buyers ready to go for something different. And that smile will extend to just about everyone who lays eyes on it. I love it.

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

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.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz vs Subaru Outback What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Volkswagen ID. Buzz vs Subaru Outback
What's the difference?