Subaru’s Best Midsize SUV
Subaru's single midsize SUV, the Outback, offers a superb combination of value and versatility.
Written by Jasmine Kanter
Reviewed by Brenna Swanston
It's not as chic as the
Hyundai Sante Fe
or as rugged as the Jeep Grand Cherokee
, but the midsize 2023 Subaru Outback
combines some of the best characteristics of both.Midsize SUVs have their place between compacts, subcompacts, and full-size models. Unlike a van, they give you just a bit more space without being difficult to maneuver. That, coupled with Subaru's outdoorsy and reliable nature, makes for a perfect match.
Subaru manufactures a single midsize SUV, but that doesn't mean you don’t have options.
Jerry
, the car insurance
expert, has put the 2023 Subaru Outback and its competitors to the test. Let’s find out who’s the king of the road and how to save on Subaru insurance costs
!Does Subaru have a midsize SUV?
Subaru only makes one midsize SUV: the Outback. At 191.1 inches long and 73 inches wide, it sits above the compact Crosstrek and Forester and below the three-row Ascent. It also has the biggest gap between its entry-level and top-tier trims, covering nearly $14,000.
What makes a midsize SUV?
In the world of SUVs, everything's relative: midsize cars are bigger than compacts and subcompacts, but smaller than full-size models. As with pant or dress sizes, every manufacturer decides how to label its vehicles. They typically do this by looking at the total passenger volume of the cabin.
What size are other Subaru SUVs?
Here’s Subaru's SUV lineup ranked by total passenger volume:
Model | Starting MSRP | Class | Total passenger volume |
|---|---|---|---|
2023 Solterra | $44,995 | Compact SUV | 95.7 cubic feet |
2023 Crosstrek | $23,645 | Subcompact crossover | 100.9 cubic feet |
2023 Forester | $26,395 | Compact crossover | 107.6 cubic feet |
2023 Outback | $28,395 | Midsize SUV | 105.6 cubic feet |
2023 Ascent | $33,895 | Fullsize SUV | 150.2 cubic feet |
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As you can see, Subaru’s SUV classes don’t always follow the rule of increasing passenger volume. So the next time someone asks you what distinguishes one SUV size from another, you can honestly reply, “not a heck of a lot”.
The 2023 Subaru Outback vs. the competition: which is the best midsize SUV?
No matter the size of your ride, it's all about how you use it. Does Subaru hit the sweet spot with the midsize Outback, or is it merely middle-of-the-road? To answer that question, we tested two of its top competitors in a battle of the midsize SUVs.
Who won? Let’s find out!
2023 Subaru Outback
MSRP: $28,395-$42,295
Seats: Five
Cargo capacity: 32.6 cubic feet
Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds
It’d be easy to say what the Outback isn’t—not quite a station wagon, not quite an SUV—but then we wouldn’t do justice to its versatility. Long and low, it offers ample seating, a modest cargo hold, and plenty of roof storage. At the same time, it has the ground clearance (8.7 inches) and guts to take you off the beaten track.
Said guts consist of a 2.5L four-cylinder or 2.4L turbocharged engine with 182 and 260 hp, respectively. The Outback isn't your typical SUV, returning an excellent 28/26/32 mpg combined/city/highway (although the turbo version drops these estimates by about 3 mpg). To keep it all together, you’ve got standard all-wheel-drive.
The only thing limiting the Outback is its noisy, unrefined, eight-speed continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). To drown out the drone under the hood, try some of the standard features, like:
- Automatic LED headlights and foglights
- Roof rails with integrated crossbars
- Remote keyless entry and push-button ignition
- Dual 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreens with HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, auxiliary audio jack, USB port, and Bluetooth
- Four-speaker sound system
- Subaru EyeSight driver assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warnings with automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
MSRP: $28,200-$42,050
Seats: Five
Cargo capacity: 36.4 cubic feet
Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds
Plush, well-equipped, and easy-going, the 2023 Santa Fe is one of the most entertaining rides around. It offers a long list of standard features and plenty of storage, including bins under the floor and in the center console. Our only gripe is that it’s a bit on the lazy side.
The 191-hp 2.5L inline-four engine and the 277-hp 2.5L turbo upgrade hesitate to deliver power when you ask for it. Meanwhile, its eight-speed automatic transmission wants to jump to higher gears ASAP. You can choose between front-wheel or all-wheel-drive but beware: AWD will shave a few miles off its 26/25/28 mpg estimate (24/22/25 mpg for the turbo).
Here’s a taste of the standard features that sweeten the deal:
- LED headlights
- 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB ports,
- 4.2-inch color multi-information display
- Rearview camera
- Hyundai SmartSense driver assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warnings, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warnings
Versus the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee
MSRP: $40,595-$67,750
MPG (combined/city/highway): 21/19/26 mpg, 17/14/22 mpg
Seats: Five
Cargo capacity: 37.7 cubic feet
Towing capacity: up to 7,200 pounds
Off-roaders can't go wrong with a Jeep. The 2023 Grand Cherokee’s Quadra-Trac I 4x4 system and 10.9-inch ground clearance were made for dirt lovers. The available trims, packages, and powertrain options include a 293-hp 3.6L Pentastar V6, a 375-hp 2.0L turbo-four PHEV, and a 357-hp 5.7L Hemi V8 engine.
Unsurprisingly, none of them are particularly fuel-efficient. The base estimate of 21/19/26 mpg drops to 17/14/22 mpg for the V8 and adds up to a $57,000 five-year cost to own—and that’s on top of
Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo insurance costs
!With such a high price tag, the Grand Cherokee is a serious investment. Here’s what you get in return:
- LED headlights
- Heated mirrors
- Roof rails
- Keyless entry and push-button ignition
- Digital instrument panel
- 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen with HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB ports, and Bluetooth
- Six-speaker audio system
- Front power seating
- Adaptive cruise control, forward-collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keeping assistance, and rear parking sensors with automatic braking
2023 Subaru Outback versus the competition
And there you have it! Before we crown the winner, take a look at the recap below in case you missed something:
Category | 2023 Subaru Outback | 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe | 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|---|
Starting MSRP | $28,395 | $28,200 | $40,595 |
Engine | 2.5L four-cylinder (2.4L turbo-four available) | 2.5L four-cylinder (2.5L turbo-four available) | 3.6L V6 (2.0L PHEV and 5.7L V8 available) |
Seats | Five | Five | Five (six with optional third row) |
Fuel economy (combined/city/highway) | 28/26/32 mpg | 26/25/28 mpg | 21/19/26 mpg |
Cargo capacity | 32.6 cubic feet | 36.4 cubic feet | 37.7 cubic feet |
Max. towing capacity | 3,500 pounds | 3,500 pounds | 7,200 pounds |
The verdict
If you're not a serious off-roader, you probably can't justify the $12,000 jump to the Grand Cherokee. With high operating costs and average to below-average reliability scores from Consumer Reports, JD Power, and RepairPal, it offers less value for money. That leaves us with just the Outback and Santa Fe.
In addition to having similar price tags, both SUVs earned five-star crash test ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. They also share an overall average reliability score. Although the Outback has better fuel efficiency, it’d be criminal to ignore Hyundai's amazing warranty, which includes a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain guarantee.
So, how do we choose a winner? By letting you decide! There's no doubt the Santa Fe offers a little more polish and pizzazz, but if you plan to go off the beaten path, you'll appreciate the Outback's ruggedness.
How to save on Subaru insurance
Whatever you decide to take on the backroads, don't forget to pack a
licensed insurance broker
. It’s quick and easy—just download Jerry
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Pick a plan from the five to seven quotes that meet your needs and wait for your new policy to arrive in your e-mail. That’s it!
“After signing up withJerry, I went from $199/month to $97/month for my car insurance. My 2019 Subaru Forester now has full coverage for a great price!” —Rhonda H
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