2025 Land Rover Defender vs. 2025 Subaru Outback Review

Picture of the 2025 Land Rover Defender

2025 Land Rover
Defender

MSRP*: $56,900 to $167,800
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Picture of the 2025 Subaru Outback

2025 Subaru
Outback

MSRP*: $29,010 to $42,910
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Find Your Best Price Today!

MPG - City Info not available 21 - 26 MPG
MPG - Hwy Info not available 26 - 32 MPG
Seating Capacity 5 - 8 seats 5 seats
Cargo Space 44.6 - 76.1 ft3 75.6 ft3
Engine
  • 296-hp, 2.0-liter, 4 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline Fuel)
  • 296-hp, 3.0-liter, Straight 6 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline/Mild Electric Hybrid)
  • 395-hp, 3.0-liter, Straight 6 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline/Mild Electric Hybrid)
  • 493-hp, 5.0-liter, 8 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline Fuel)
  • 518-hp, 5.0-liter, 8 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline Fuel)
  • 626-hp, 4.4-liter, 8 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline/Mild Electric Hybrid)
  • 182-hp, 2.5-liter, 4 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline Fuel)
  • 260-hp, 2.4-liter, 4 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline Fuel)
Transmission Automatic Continuously Variable
Drivetrain Four Wheel Drive All Wheel Drive
Horsepower 296 - 626 hp 182 - 260 hp
Towing Capacity 7,716 - 8,201 lbs 2,700 - 3,500 lbs
Exterior Length 180.5 - 211.7 in 191.3 - 191.9 in
Exterior Width 79.1 in 74.2 - 74.6 in
Leg Room Front 39.1 in
Rear 36.6 - 38.4 in
Front 42.8 in
Rear 39.5 in
Head Room Front 40.6 in
Rear 40.4 in
Front 39.1 - 40.1 in
Rear 39.1 in

*MSRP and Invoice prices displayed are for educational purposes only, do not reflect the actual selling price of a particular vehicle, and do not include applicable gas taxes or destination charges.

Comparison Review

Comfort
The Land Rover Defender offers rear passengers about the same room to stretch out as the Subaru Outback, with comparable head- and legroom. The Subaru Outback will be a hit with tall drivers and their front seat passengers, since it has greater front head- and legroom than the Land Rover Defender.

Cost
There are a lot of factors to consider when calculating the overall cost of a vehicle. The main consideration is Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). The Land Rover Defender will definitely make more of a dent in your wallet than the Subaru Outback, which has a much lower MSRP.

Dimensions
Since the Land Rover Defender is much wider than the Subaru Outback, finding a wide enough spot in a parking lot may be a bit more challenging. For some people, bigger is better. If that's the case for you, then you'll be happier with the Land Rover Defender, which is slightly longer than the Subaru Outback.

Handling
The Land Rover Defender has a significantly larger turning radius than the Subaru Outback, making it much more difficult to maneuver in and out of tight spots.

Performance
When considering towing capacity, the Land Rover Defender is clearly the choice over the Subaru Outback for pulling heavy loads. When it comes to horsepower, the Land Rover Defender greatly out-muscles the Subaru Outback.

Powertrain
Due to its much higher torque, the Land Rover Defender does a much better job of transmitting its engine's horsepower to its wheels than the Subaru Outback.

Utility
In terms of seating, you'll be able to fit about the same number of people in both the Land Rover Defender and the Subaru Outback. The Land Rover Defender has less cargo space than the Subaru Outback, which is okay if you don't need to move a lot in one trip.