Volvo Es90 vs Subaru Outback
What's the difference?

Volvo Es90

$88,880 - $107,990

2026 price

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Subaru Outback

$48,990 - $62,690

2026 price

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Summary

2026 Volvo Es90

2026 Subaru Outback

By Stephen Ottley

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

Industry-leading safety
Unique Scandinavian design
Excellent value

Brilliant packaging
Dynamic sophistication
Ease, comfort and fun

Dislikes

Not a sedan or an SUV
Steering feels artificial at times
No Twin Motor option (yet)

Average warranty
Divisive design
No manual option

2026 Volvo Es90 Summary

Do you like swimming against the tide? Do you like to zig when everyone else is zagging? Are you unafraid of making the unpopular choice?

Well, if you align with the above, I have just the car for you.

The Volvo ES90 pushes against most current trends. The luxury sedan used to be the measure of a brand, but not anymore. These days the luxury market is defined by SUVs and sedans have been reduced to an afterthought for many.

But if you’re willing to think outside the SUV-shaped box, there is a lot to like about Volvo’s new luxury offering. Whether it’s a true sedan or not is open to debate, but what it isn’t is an SUV and for those willing to live that counter-culture lifestyle this may be right for you.

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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

2026 Volvo Es90 2026 Subaru Outback

Verdict

More stylish than ever before, as quiet and refined as you'd expect from a luxury car and yet the stand out feature might once again be safety. Despite seemingly every new car being loaded to the gills with safety features, Volvo has managed to demonstrate industry best-practice and leads the way again.

I would encourage engineers from every other car brand to drive the ES90 to learn how to better integrate the modern suite of active safety features like forward collision warning and lane departure warning.

But beyond that, is the ES90 a car worthy of consideration? Well, pretty much everything it does the EX90 does too, so if you prefer an SUV that’s definitely worth consideration. But if you don’t want an SUV, if you prefer a sedan or just love to be different, the ES90 is a very attractive proposition in more ways than one.

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.

Volvo Es90 vs Subaru Outback What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Volvo Es90 vs Subaru Outback
What's the difference?