Compare the2026 Subaru OutbackVS 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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

Safety

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The Outback has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

With its standard EyeSight, the Subaru Outback is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Jeep Grand Cherokee, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Outback	Grand Cherokee
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-11 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-33 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	3.1 sec	2 sec
Warning Issued-Low beams	3 sec	1.6 sec

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Subaru Outback achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Jeep Grand Cherokee has not been tested.

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

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Subaru Outback’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system costs extra on the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Both the Outback and the Grand Cherokee 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Outback is much safer than the Grand Cherokee:

	Outback	Grand Cherokee
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	114	252
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	POOR
Chest Rating	GOOD	POOR
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Subaru Outback is safer than the Grand Cherokee:

	Outback	Grand Cherokee
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	87	253
Neck Tension	134 lbs.	402 lbs.
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	45 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.63 in	1.22 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.75 in	1.34 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	7 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	513 lbs.	1004 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head Injury Criterion	144	185
Neck Compression	112 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.98 in	1.61 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	469 lbs.	803 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Subaru Outback has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The Grand Cherokee is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

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 Grand Cherokee.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Jeep With 63 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Jeep.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru second in overall reliability. Jeep is ranked 24th.

Engine

The Outback XT/Wilderness’ standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 260) than the Grand Cherokee Laredo’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Outback XT/Wilderness 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Grand Cherokee Laredo 3.6 DOHC V6:

	Outback	Grand Cherokee
Zero to 60 MPH	6.3 sec	7.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	15.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96.4 MPH	89.8 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 Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Outback gets better mileage than the Grand Cherokee:

			MPG
Outback
	AWD	2.5 DOHC flat-4	25 city/31 hwy
		2.4 turbo flat-4	21 city/29 hwy
		Wilderness 2.4 turbo flat-4	21 city/27 hwy
Grand Cherokee
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/26 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy

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 Grand Cherokee. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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 Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Outback stops much shorter than the Grand Cherokee:

	Outback	Grand Cherokee
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	142 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Outback Wilderness has a standard full size spare so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare costs extra on the Grand Cherokee. Without the option you must depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

The Outback Touring XT handles at .82 G’s, while the Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Outback Touring XT executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 (27.2 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Outback’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Grand Cherokee’s (36.5 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outback has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Grand Cherokee (8.7 vs. 8.4 inches), allowing the Outback to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Subaru Outback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 1550 pounds less than the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Passenger Space

The Outback has 5.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Grand Cherokee (112.3 vs. 107).

The Outback has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more rear headroom and 1.3 inches more rear legroom than the Grand Cherokee.

The front step up height for the Outback is 1.1 inches lower than the Grand Cherokee (19” vs. 20.1”). The Outback’s rear step up height is 3 inches lower than the Grand Cherokee’s (18.5” vs. 21.5”).

Cargo Capacity

The Outback has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Grand Cherokee with its rear seat folded (80.5 vs. 70.8 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Outback easier. The Outback’s trunk lift-over height is 28.3 inches, while the Grand Cherokee’s liftover is 33 inches.

The Outback’s cargo area is larger than the Grand Cherokee’s in every dimension:

	Outback	Grand Cherokee
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	42.8”/75.9”	41”/73.8”
Min Width	43.3”	43”
Height	34.1”	32”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Outback’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Jeep. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 34% lower rating, Jeep is ranked 21st.

Ergonomics

The Outback’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Grand Cherokee’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 exterior PIN entry system. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Uconnect Access can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Grand Cherokee Summit’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Outback’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Subaru Outback retains 56.65% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 47.26% resale value of the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee after five years, which can save the Subaru’s owner up to $6246 in depreciation.

Recommendations

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

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