Volvo V60 vs Subaru Outback
What's the difference?

Volvo V60

—

2023 price

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Subaru Outback

$48,990 - $62,690

2026 price

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Audi A4

Mazda 6

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Summary

2023 Volvo V60

2026 Subaru Outback

By James Cleary

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Flat 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

7.4L/100km (combined)

8.1L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Refinement
Performance
Practicality

Brilliant packaging
Dynamic sophistication
Ease, comfort and fun

Dislikes

Economy could be better
Service pricing
Front storage question marks

Average warranty
Divisive design
No manual option

2023 Volvo V60 Summary

There’s something about a Volvo wagon. Especially one with Cross Country in its name. City sophistication mixed with the potential for adventurous outdoor pursuits.

Leaning into its all-wheel-drive capability for a cheeky ski weekend with the family. Hooking up the boat and heading to the lake for a spot of fishing. Or seeking out that off-the-beaten-track camping spot you’ve had your eye on.

The V60 Cross Country is made for that family-focused role. Okay, so the Clearys didn’t do much skiing, fishing or camping during a week with this premium mid-sizer. None, actually.

But we did assess its comfort, flexibility, practicality and everything else required to help grease the wheels of day-to-day household life. Stay tuned to see what we discovered.

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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

2023 Volvo V60 2026 Subaru Outback

Verdict

The Volvo V60 Cross Country’s split-personality delivers urban civility and all-wheel-drive capability. Our city-slicker week with it confirmed the latter doesn’t compromise the former. It’s sleek and refined, well equipped for the money and safety is top-shelf.

If you have multiple kids creeping up through their teens, you might need something a bit bigger, and ownership costs like fuel economy and servicing, while not tragic, could be better.

Overall though, a thoughtfully engineered, premium mid-size wagon that expertly balances form and function.

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 V60 vs Subaru Outback What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Volvo V60 vs Subaru Outback
What's the difference?