Compare the2025 Subaru OutbackVS 2025 Toyota Tacoma

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Outback. But it costs extra on the Tacoma.

The Subaru Outback’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Toyota Tacoma does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Outback uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Tacoma uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Outback and the Tacoma have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Outback is safer than the Toyota Tacoma:

	Outback	Tacoma
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	158	248
Neck Injury Risk	26%	42.8%
Neck Stress	281 lbs.	456 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	230/249 lbs.	290/453 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	241	252
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	43%	64%
Neck Stress	147 lbs.	339 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	161/137 lbs.	461/454 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Outback is safer than the Toyota Tacoma:

	Outback	Tacoma
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.5 inches
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	146	334

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Outback’s reliability 32 points higher than the Tacoma.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Toyota is ranked third.

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the Outback XT/Wilderness 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Toyota Tacoma turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

	Outback	Tacoma
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	7.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	15.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95.9 MPH	90.2 MPH

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Outback lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Tacoma doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Outback gets better mileage than the Tacoma:

			MPG
Outback
AWD	Auto	2.5 DOHC flat-4	26 city/32 hwy
		XT 2.4 turbo flat-4	22 city/29 hwy
		Wilderness 2.4 turbo flat-4	21 city/26 hwy
Tacoma
RWD	Auto	SR5 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/26 hwy
		SR 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
		PreRunner/TRD Sport 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
AWD	Manual	2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	18 city/23 hwy
AWD	Auto	Limited 2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/24 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid (326 HP)	22 city/24 hwy
		SR 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/24 hwy
		Limited 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/23 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/23 hwy

Regardless of its engine, the Outback’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Toyota only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Tacoma Auto.

The Outback has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Tacoma. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Outback higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Toyota Tacoma (4 to 6). This means the Outback produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Tacoma every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Outback has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Outback stops much shorter than the Tacoma:

	Outback	Tacoma
70 to 0 MPH	191 feet	196 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	137 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Outback’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tacoma’s standard 70 series tires. The Outback Onyx/Limited/Touring’s tires have a lower 60 series profile than the Tacoma Double Cab TRD Sport/Limited’s 65 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Outback has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Tacoma SR/XtraCab has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Outback has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Outback flat and controlled during cornering. The Tacoma SR/XtraCab suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The front and rear suspension of the Outback uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the Tacoma SR/XtraCab, which uses leaf springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

For better maneuverability, the Outback’s turning circle is 6.1 feet tighter than the Tacoma XtraCab’s (36.1 feet vs. 42.2 feet). The Outback’s turning circle is 14.5 feet tighter than the Tacoma 6-ft. bed Trailhunter Double Cab’s (36.1 feet vs. 50.6 feet).

Chassis

The Subaru Outback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 1450 pounds less than the Toyota Tacoma.

The Outback is 1 foot, 9.9 inches shorter than the Tacoma XtraCab, making the Outback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Outback is 7.8 inches shorter in height than the Tacoma, making the Outback much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction makes the Outback’s chassis much stiffer, which contributes to better handling, and enables softer springs to be used for a better ride. Unibody construction’s stiffness also contributes to better durability and less body squeaks and rattles. The Tacoma doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The front grille of the Outback 2.5i uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Tacoma doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Outback has 12 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Tacoma (109 vs. 97).

The Outback has .4 inches more front headroom and 1 inch more front legroom than the Tacoma XtraCab.

The Outback has .4 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front legroom, .7 inches more rear headroom and 5.8 inches more rear legroom than the Tacoma Double Cab.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Outback’s rear seats recline. The Tacoma’s optional rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Outback is 4.7 inches lower than the Tacoma Double Cab (19” vs. 23.7”). The Outback’s rear step up height is 6 inches lower than the Tacoma Double Cab’s (18.5” vs. 24.5”).

Cargo Capacity

The Outback has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Tacoma Double Cab with its long-bed bodystyle (75.6 vs. 47.7 cubic feet).

The Outback has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Tacoma with its long-bed bodystyle (75.6 vs. 47.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Outback easier. The Outback’s trunk lift-over height is 28.4 inches, while the Tacoma’s liftover is 34 inches.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Outback’s liftgate can be opened just by holding your hand near the emblem on the trunk, leaving your hands completely free. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its cargo door, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 38% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 24th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Outback Limited/Touring, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a memory system.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Outback’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Outback Base). The Tacoma doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Safety Connect™ can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Outback has a standard rear wiper. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Outback’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Tacoma’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Outback has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Tacoma doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Outback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Tacoma doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Outback Limited/Touring is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Tacoma’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Outback’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Tacoma offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Subaru Outback and Toyota Tacoma offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Outback offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Tacoma’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Both the Outback and the Tacoma offer available heated front seats. The Outback Limited/Touring/Onyx XT/Wilderness also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Tacoma.

The Outback has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Outback’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Tacoma SR doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

Both the Outback and the Tacoma offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Outback Premium/Limited/Wilderness/Touring/Onyx has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Tacoma doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Outback, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Toyota Tacoma isn't recommended.

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