Compare the2026 Subaru OutbackVS 2026 Lexus UX

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 Lexus UX 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 UX.

The Outback (except Premium/Limited 2.5) offers an optional 360-Degree Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The UX only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

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

Both the Outback and the UX 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 driver alert 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 UX:

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 UX is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

There are almost 3 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Outback’s warranty.

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

The Outback 2.5i’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 26 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 152) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Outback XT/Wilderness’ standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 64 more horsepower (260 vs. 196) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 152) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Outback XT/Wilderness 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Lexus UX:

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 UX doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Both the Outback and UX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Outback has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Outback has 7.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (18 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Outback’s brake rotors are larger than those on the UX:

The Outback’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the UX are solid, not vented.

The Outback stops much shorter than the UX:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Outback XT has standard 19-inch wheels. The UX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Outback Wilderness has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the UX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Outback’s wheelbase is 4.2 inches longer than on the UX (108.1 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Outback is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the UX.

The Outback Touring XT handles at .81 G’s, while the UX 300h F Sport Handling pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Outback Touring XT executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the UX AWD (27.2 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Outback has a 2.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the UX (8.7 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Outback to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outback Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 3.2 inches higher than on the UX (9.5 vs. 6.3 inches).

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Outback has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The UX uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

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

The Outback has 21.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (112.3 vs. 90.4).

The Outback has 3.8 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, 4.2 inches more rear headroom, 6.4 inches more rear legroom, 2.8 inches more rear hip room and 4.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

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

The Outback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (34.6 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

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

The Outback has a 2700 lbs. towing capacity. The UX has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Outback uses the Vehicle Dynamics Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The UX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the Outback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the UX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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 UX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The UX F Sport’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.

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

The Outback has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the UX Premium/F Sport. The Outback Limited/Touring/Wilderness also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the UX.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru Outback and the Lexus UX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Outback outsold the Lexus UX by almost 19 to one during 2025.