Subaru Outback vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Subaru Outback marked a significant shift in its design, adopting a more SUV-like appearance while maintaining its wagon roots. Despite only a slight increase in size, the Outback's new blockier and upright design gave it a more commanding presence. The rectangular grille and horizontal accent lights contributed to its robust look, while the faceted plastic trim around the body and wheel arches enhanced its rugged appeal. Inside, the Outback featured a flatter dashboard and a modern digital instrument panel, with the infotainment touchscreen now positioned atop the dash. The interior materials were of high quality, with the base trim offering attractive woven textiles and higher trims featuring smoother materials and leather upholstery.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, embraced a conservative design reminiscent of the popular RAV4, scaled up to accommodate up to eight passengers. Its interior prioritized function, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. The Grand Highlander offered a spacious cabin with comfortable seating across three rows, although some storage areas were unlined, potentially contributing to noise. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had some drawbacks, such as a small volume knob and the lack of a tuning knob. The Grand Highlander’s design was practical, with excellent outward visibility aided by available camera systems.

The 2026 Subaru Outback offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre boxer engine with 180 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.4-litre boxer-four producing 260 horsepower. Both engines were paired with a CVT and standard AWD. The base engine provided surprisingly quick initial response, making it adequate for most drivers, while the turbocharged engine offered more power for those willing to pay extra. The Outback handled well in both city and highway settings, with a comfortable ride and minimal road noise. Its off-road capability was a highlight, with 22 centimetres of ground clearance and an X-Mode button for improved traction on challenging terrain.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a choice between a fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain and the more powerful Hybrid Max configuration. The Hybrid Max combined a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with electronic AWD and two electric motors, producing 362 horsepower. It delivered impressive acceleration and a smooth ride, although it sacrificed some fuel efficiency compared to the standard hybrid. The Hybrid Max towed up to 2,268 kilograms and provided a secure, if somewhat large, driving experience. The Grand Highlander’s handling was stable, with excellent visibility aided by camera systems, although the infotainment screen takeover by the front camera was occasionally intrusive.

The 2026 Subaru Outback's interior space was generous, with a total volume of 3,146 litres. The rear seats offered ample legroom, and the cargo capacity increased to 980 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,280 litres with the seats folded. The Outback featured practical storage solutions, including cupholders with "dog bone" cutouts and door pockets for larger bottles. The cargo area was versatile, with a multifunction cargo cover and a robust roof rack for additional storage.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided comfortable seating across three rows, with a maximum cargo space of over 2,700 litres. The Platinum trim featured upscale materials, including leather and artificial suede upholstery. The second-row captain’s chairs allowed for easy access to the third row, which was comfortable for adults and tall teens. The Grand Highlander offered 586 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,761 litres with the second row folded. However, some storage areas were unlined, potentially contributing to noise.

The 2026 Subaru Outback featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 12.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with customizable layouts and an anti-reflective coating. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a wireless charging pad available. The climate controls were separate from the infotainment screen, allowing for easy adjustments.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to various connected services. The system was user-friendly, although the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously was a drawback. The Platinum trim included advanced features like a head-up display and a premium audio system.

The 2026 Subaru Outback came equipped with Subaru's EyeSight suite of safety features, including collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and more. Although crash test results were not yet available, Subaru's strong safety reputation suggested top marks were likely.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. However, it fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating.