Volvo XC60 vs Subaru Outback

What's the difference?

VS
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC60

$74,990 - $101,990

2026 price

Subaru Outback
Subaru Outback

$48,990 - $62,690

2026 price

Summary

2026 Volvo XC60
2026 Subaru Outback
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 2.0L

Turbo 4, 2.4L
Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
7.6L/100km (combined)

9.7L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Facelift is too subtle
  • Gremlins in media system
  • Big price jumps between trims

  • Gold edging
  • Needs better all-terrain tyres
  • More off-road goodies would add to the appeal
2026 Volvo XC60 Summary

The Volvo XC60 has long been an understated achiever of the premium mid-size SUV crowd. 

It doesn’t shout for attention like some of its rivals, but it’s built a reputation for quiet confidence and family-friendly practicality. For 2026, the XC60 Ultra B5 Dark keeps the same engine but has received a facelift in other areas. Is it enough to keep family buyers who want a mix of practicality and luxury happy?

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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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Deep dive comparison

2026 Volvo XC60 2026 Subaru Outback

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