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The 2023 Toyota RAV4 is a solid compact SUV. It’s practically everywhere on the road and for great reason. Despite technically being a midsize SUV, the 2023 Subaru Outback is comparable and tops the RAV4 for a few reasons. This is true despite the similar price. In fact, In many ways, it’s actually the more interesting of the two vehicles, which is a significant win for the Subaru SUV. Here’s how the 2023 Subaru Outback comes out on top of the immensely popular Toyota RAV4.

The Subaru Outback offers more interior space than the 2023 Toyota RAV4

2023 Subaru Outback interior
2023 Subaru Outback | Subaru

One of the ways the 2023 Subaru Outback is a solid choice over the RAV4 is its interior. The Inside of the latest Subaru Outback is not only more spacious, but it’s a more interesting cabin than the 2023 Toyota RAV4. The vehicle grants an additional 0.6 inches of headroom and an extra 1.8 inches of legroom over the RAV4. This may not sound like much, but tall people will enjoy the Outback more. 

As previously mentioned, the 2023 Subaru Outback interior has a better and more attractive aesthetic than the latest model RAV4. The inside of the Subaru is made from durable materials, and it has an overall comfortable cabin. Perhaps the highlight is the 11.6-inch vertical display the advanced trims contain. Additionally, there is more cargo space in the latest Subaru Outback. 

It offers more performance options 

2023 Subaru Outback in blue
2023 Subaru Outback | Subaru

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 offers pretty good performance for a vehicle of its size. However, the slightly larger Outback is better. According to Edmunds, the RAV4 has a 2.5-liter inline-four with a maximum output of 203 horsepower. It’s all-wheel drive on the base trim and uses an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

On the other hand, the Outback is a comparable midsize SUV with its standard 2.5-liter flat-four engine that produces 182 hp. The 2023 Subaru Outback outshines the RAV4 because certain advanced trims are turbocharged and have a maximum output of 260 horsepower. This is similar to the 2022 Subaru Outback. The two vehicles offer similar acceleration times. 

The Subaru Outback is also a safe vehicle 

2023 Toyota RAV4 in blue
2023 Toyota RAV4 | Toyota

People looking for new vehicles want to know that they are safe. Luckily, picking the latest Subaru Outback isn’t selecting a less safe SUV than the RAV4. Both SUVs have five out of five-star rankings from the NHTSA. In fact, the Subaru SUV is a top safety plus pick, meaning it offers optimal protection in the event of a crash. The same is true for the 2022 Subaru Outback.

Though these two SUVs have their differences, they are very much alike. They offer similar performance, but the Outback provides more options for engine power. Additionally, the inside of the Outback is simply more exciting than the 2023 Toyota RAV4. These SUVs also come at a reasonably similar price despite one being midsize and the other being compact. 

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