2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness vs. Toyota RAV4 | Side-by-Side Comparison Review

[@keithlea6804]

Had a 23 Toyota rav 4 traded for a 24 Honda crv touring hybrid. After 9 months I traded for the 24 Subaru crosstrek wilderness and this is my forever car.

[@2wheelsgood918]

I really don’t think very many people cross-shop a RAV-4 with an Outback Wilderness. Maybe a Forester (non-Wilderness), but certainly not an OBW. The Subaru Wilderness line has a cultish following, whereas a RAV-4 is about the most uninspiring vehicle on the road.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I think you’re probably right. I was actually originally just going to find a similar 38k ish Outback example, but for that price most of them are Limited with leather seats and not a direct comparison. So I had a change of heart last second and grabbed a Blue Wilderness (also incase it’s the last time I drive one of these new and because I owned the Wilderness). Not a direct comparison but still fun and I was an individual who cross shopped from one to the other lol. 😝

[@Clickum]

I cross-shopped a RAV-4 with the OBW... OBW won.

[@2wheelsgood918]

@ So you wanted something that does more than just get groceries? 😉

[@minnybiker4505]

I cross shopped RAV4 and Outback. Wanted RAV4, Bought Outback due to driving position comfort.

[@wildbill23c]

I kind of agree with that, people aren't going to cross-shop a Rav-4 with a Subaru Outback I wouldn't think, especially the Wilderness models. The Wilderness is geared towards the outdoors camping hunting dogs in the car lifestyle. The Rav-4 is a grocery getter hatchback car with a little more ground clearance and optional AWD.

[@Chubbydippin]

A comparison between a Rav4 trd offroad and a Forester Wilderness would be a interesting side by side.

[@funnyguy8042]

I’m looking forward to hybrid Subarus.

[@lukeclifton4392]

Haven’t Subaru already done Hybrid and it was horrible?!… maybe they’ll start to use Toyotas hybrid?

[@Doc1855]

Don’t buy it for the first 2 years after Subaru starts putting in the RAV4 Hybrid system.

[@Doc1855]

⁠Yes Subaru will be using the Toyota RAV4 hybrid system, but Subaru is keeping the flat 4 banger.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Word on the street is some dealers have already been able to place orders for them. There’s 3 trim levels of the hybrid and ETA could be April. 🤪

[@jeffer1101]

@@lukeclifton4392 Their previous system was a mild hybrid that didn't really do much in terms of fuel savings. The new systems are a joint venture with Toyota so they will be using Toyota's system but adapter to Subaru's boxer engine and Symmetrical AWD system. The new system will provide additional power (likely around 219hp, same as RAV4 Hybrid) as well as use much less fuel (unlike the previous hybrid system, which didn't save much fuel).

[@WatchTheJoeChannel]

You sold me on the Wilderness. I just have too wait for the superbowl pool next month.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Haha I figured you’d appreciate this video. That will be fun to look forward to. I still really like the OBW and knew for this Outback to RAV4 comparison I had to find a Wilderness. 😍

[@michelepuluti7807]

Great comparison! I’ve owned 4 RAV4’s and own an older Outback. They are both great vehicles. I’m considering a new Outback and I’m going to Twin Falls next week to drive a new Subaru. Thanks for your input! Good video!😊

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Thanks, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed liked it! That’s awesome, I’d recommend asking for one of the managers behind the big counter, reference the KZbin guy, and ask for the best deal they can offer! Best of luck.

[@speedgtr1958]

Full redesign is coming for Outback for 2026. Anybody buying new one should wait if you care about having upgraded infotainment system and maybe full digital dashboard and electronic shifter and maybe more room inside.

[@george-ng5gj]

Love my outback wilderness

[@oldfordman68]

I'm currently driving a 2023 outback XT and its a awesome vehicle however I find the infotainment system to be more distracting than talking on a cell phone

[@WCTubeful]

Nice for the rugged roomy and top mount oil filter as well as a full size spare for the Outback. I can do oil change myself. On the other hand, a good Toyota hybrid system on the RAV4 is a plus. Only if the price for the Outback goes down a little bit more then I would take it.

[@deltabravo1257]

Your videos are so much better than other auto channels because you don’t make stuff up as you go and throw words into sentences that don’t belong. When other people doing car videos run out of stuff to say, or lose their train of thought, they throw completely pointless and random words mid sentence, which makes it obvious they are running out of talking points. I had no idea the Outback had a HUD. Is that only on the Wilderness? My brother has a 2023 TRD RAV4. He likes it. I still own a 2013 Crosstrek that I’ve had since 2017. I’d like something different, but the older I get, the more frugal I become with my money…. What that means is I am finding it hard to justify a newer vehicle when my Crosstrek does the job. My gut feeling is that the Camo Subaru that people discovered a few months ago is a new Ascent. It’s due for a redesign it seems. If I bought a new(er) vehicle, I’d probably go for and OBW. The longer wheelbase compared to a Crosstrek would work better in the Spokane snow.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Thanks for saying this and I really appreciate you deciding to watch my videos! Unless it’s a dedicated single car review I often think I go off script too much in these side-by-side or driving only impression videos lol. There’s just a lot that I want to share I guess. It would be pretty funny if the camo Subaru really is the Ascent and our speculations on the Outback are all wrong. I can say those who have seen it at the Subaru events say it looks really good but I guess only time will tell. Often we don’t like change, and then the new thing grows on us. I’m hoping Subaru has something really cool in store for the next gen Outback because these are great cars.

[@OrlandoORC]

I own a 2019 Limited 3.5 R. I’m glad I bought the last non turbo Outback.

[@ivandragomiloff2356]

Bought an Outback Wilderness today…traded in Forester Wilderness. Outback more refined, less bumpy and noisy. Both cars are great, family just preferred the larger Outback.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Congrats on the new ride!!

[@bobknight6394]

You never talk about the wheel base length of the vehicles... makes a big difference !!

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

9’ in the Outback and 8.83’ in the RAV4. Haha there was also a lot of other information I meant to share but I ended up just winging a lot of this video and not staying on point like I set out to do. 🤪

[@TJDawgs72]

I bought the 24 Crosstrek Wilderness and was looking at the Rav4 as well, mainly because of the Hybrid option. Fell in love with CTW as soon as I drove it. I just wish they would get rid of that terrible Gold trim on the roof rack and bumbers...lol

[@robertrousseaux1059]

Crosstrek to Rav Hybrids ,but the RAV Prime it rock .

[@williamstevenson8518]

I'd like to see an Outback Base vs Rav4 LE comparison.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

That would be a fun comparison! I think I filmed a 2023 Base a couple years ago, but I don’t often see LE Toyotas.

[@Doc1855]

My wife and I are going to go test drive a Crown Signia today. The sales manager at Toyota goes to the same church as us, so I had to get his permission for us to drive it to our house so my wife can see how well the AWD system is coming up our very snowy and compacted snow road. At times my wife has to put her Outback into X mode just to get up our road and into our garage. Likewise, I have to put my Tacoma TRD into 4WD to get up our road when turning off the county road during this time of the year. After we’re finished with the test drive, I’ll be installing Leather seat covers in my wife’s Outback that I bought for her car for Christmas. … Can you guess what color they are NOT 🤪 And yes they’re a 2 tone Leather.

[@27Zangle]

My local Subaru dealer will let you take any car home for the weekend before buying. They have a ton of cars for every model and trim for this reason. They use them as loaners when cars are in shops in addition to this purpose. I think its a great idea to throw a couple hundered miles on a car for the cost of fuel. Some times a small test drive or two is not enough.

[@Doc1855]

@ That’s awesome. Our local Subaru Stealership won’t even let you test drive one of their Subie’s unless you plan on buying it.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Haha, that sounds like it’s going to be a fun test drive. If you don’t mind report back how well it did (on factory tires) compared to your Outback!! Also, which one does better getting up the driveway the Tacoma or Subaru? When I had my 3rd Gen Tacoma even on severe weather ATs it did not do as well as my first Subaru.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Good for them (and their customers) I absolutely agree the longer you have with a car to not be so distracted by the newness of it the better you’ll be when making such a big decision.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

That’s crazy, they’re Subarus lol. Not supercars. 🤦‍♂️

[@lukeclifton4392]

These were both on the top of my list when I bought a vehicle a month ago… however I quickly settled with the RAV4. The Subaru having a traditional CVT was a negative for me, but the absolute killer for the Subaru was just the fit and finish quality EVERYWHERE!! From the switch gear, seat upholstery and spare wheel well… into the engine bay trim, it’s all done to a “bare minimum” cost. The rav4 is much better. It almost feels as though Toyota took a Lexus NH and “downgraded” it to Toyota spec. I get that the rav4 probably isn’t as capable AWD wise as the Subaru, but it absolutely runs rings around it in every other aspect.

[@vadimbenes]

Funny enough I have totally contradictory experience. While Outback has some of the best interior quality I have ever seen (both build and materials) everything I have experienced from Toyota within last,say, 10 years was a huge disappointment-cost cutting absolutely everywhere, super poor build quality, absolutely no sound proofing...worth notice thought that im driving Japan made Outback and most of the Toyotas i have experience with were made in UK.

[@angrybeavers1175]

Well with that cvt subaru ranked more reliable than honda and toyota this year.

[@tails300]

@@angrybeavers1175it’s not because Subaru’s drive trains allowed it to gain and advantage in Consumer Reports ratings. It’s because of the Tundra’s and Tacoma’s recent drive train issues lowering Toyota’s overall rating (Subaru hasn’t updated there power trains in over a decade and were problematic in the beginning too), if that hadn’t happened Subaru wouldn’t be where it is now. The the CVT it’s not as reliable as an eCVT from Toyota or Honda, if we’re comparing mechanical simplicity eCVTs have many less moving parts (and aren’t even transmissions in the traditional sense) that’s just a fact based how they work.

[@jeffweier4824]

Agree 100%

[@ZzmaerD]

Don't really understand the hate around Subaru's CVT. My 2012 Impreza with 260k miles still with the original CVT running excellent as it did day 1. It all comes to doing regular maintenance and following Subaru's book on when to do the CVT maintenance on it. I now have a 23 OBW and plan on handing over my Impreza keys to my parents. This will be their first ever awd vehicle and a good one. Maybe I'm the lucky few with the CVT?

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Thanks for sharing this!! 260k miles on the stock CVT is a great to hear. I think a lot of Subaru owners just don’t put that many miles on them so they’re unsure how the powertrain components will age. 🤷‍♂️🧐

[@wildbill23c]

Most of the hate I think comes from people who never property maintain their vehicles in general. So the CVT was an issue because they never bothered to have it serviced as required...and it don't help that dealership like to claim their fluids never need changed in the transmissions...Toyota loves to play this game too. If you read the service manual you'll find the manufacturer actually recommends service intervals of around 30-60 thousand miles depending on driving style, vehicle, transmission, etc. I think Subaru says around the 30-40 thousand mile range for their CVT services.

[@keystonedaytrip238]

The hate is from people who are just regurgitating 2nd hand information they’re hearing or seeing on the internet - not people with actual real world experience.

[@donnymac575]

I went with the subaru outback touring xt for my wife. If I buy another car it will be a subaru 😊

[@va52pc]

I had rav4 hybrid and crv hybrid, currently 2025 forester and the solterra, now waiting for Subaru PHEV

[@neilquinn]

Do you prefer your rav4 or crv?

[@va52pc]

@neilquinn rav4 over the crv, wife get car sick with Honda.

[@neilquinn]

Cablegate still makes me nervous on any hybrid rav4. I kind of want to see what they do in 2026.

[@Wedgetail96]

Thanks for this, these are the exact two vehicles I’m considering at the moment. We don’t get the Wilderness in Australia 🇦🇺, so it would be the Touring XT, or Sport XT. With your Subaru knowledge, do any have the USB socket on the ceiling console for a dash cam? Some car makers now have this, but car reviewers ( in general) never reference it.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Those are exciting options you’re looking at!! And about the USBs, not that I know of, but the Australian version may have features that ours do not. Thanks for watching from across the planet!!

[@chrisb9478]

This is no contest. The Outback Wilderness is faster & larger. Not really same class. RAV4 compares to Forester. Both great companies.

[@bd103dall]

Agreed

[@danrodriguez-realdude]

Thanks for the video. I think you’re missing your Subaru. Maybe you should get the new outback hybrid in a couple of years.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Haha I think you’re right. But it’s still nice to have a change! I’m sure in a couple years I’ll be back in a Subaru as my daily driver. Maybe I’ll start jumping around between CUVs more often to get even more real world testing out of them because it’s been fun to do that with the Toyota.

[@justinvansoest7557]

I’m curious if you considered RAV4 Prime (or plug in), and why you chose hybrid over it? And between RAV4 hybrid and OBW, which is quieter at highway cruise? Thanks so much for a great series of videos!!

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I didn’t consider that PHEV just because they’re expensive, very hard to find, and less relevant to more people than the Hybrid and I wanted to experience a basic hybrid before getting deeper into the electric world. I think they’re similar, I’ve heard from viewers that some people think one is more quiet and others have disagreed so idk, lol. I’ve never done decibel testing but I think they’re pretty similar. I’m not sensitive enough (yet) to road noise to think there’s a big difference or that one isn’t livable. Also I use to own a soft top Miata so these cars are quite compared to that haha. Best of luck and thanks for watching!! I have a few more videos like this that will be made public soon!

[@davekrauser7070]

That's funny he thinks 3 years is a long time to own a car. Folks who don't drive toyotas for 10 years or 200k miles are wasting their money. We just traded our Forester for a rav4 hybrid se. Lost a huge amount on the 2018 subaru. The technology upgrade was huge. 500 mile range on one tank in the total. Rav4 was built of the Camery and that says a lot.

[@paulweylandgolf]

I understand the Rave 4 Outback is no longer making the off road they replaced it with the Woodland Is that true ? The Woodland has a lot less ground clearance than the Subaru wilderness.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I think that’s true, at least for the U.S. market.

[@billyrock8305]

All new redesigned 2026 Subaru arriving in months. - All new boxer SUV design - Hybrid engines - Massive fuel economy increase - More physical buttons - Improved infotainment/electronics - 3 trim levels - Shipping in May Subaru infotainment is brutal and distracting. It’s dangerous. Worse than texting on a phone while driving. Also, windows lock up and won’t fully close in the cold, the dealer has no idea how to resolve the issue and simply lubricates them. 👮🏿

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Thanks for sharing this!! I’ve also heard the Forester Hybrids will start being delivered in April if all goes as planned. And there’s 3 trim levels.

[@JayBD626]

Wonder if dealer will still accept orders for a 2025?

[@billyrock8305]

@ Yes

[@ivandragomiloff2356]

Prefer the 2025 Outback, more discounts already, plus all the bugs are worked out.

[@rockymountainjazzfan1822]

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid "CVT" is not really a conventional CVT--it is a planetary gear transmission and, yes, it is super-reliable. Other than the name, the Subaru CVT and the Toyota hybrid e-CVT transmissions have nothing in common mechanically. The RAV4 Hybrid is not really an AWD vehicle. It is a front-wheel-drive hybrid vehicle with an electric motor powering the rear wheels on demand--that electric motor is only useful for getting the vehicle moving in slick conditions. If one is using the vehicle is arduous winter driving conditions or in mild off-road conditions, the Subaru is the only real choice here. I can't speak for the Subaru, but the RAV4 Hybrid is a noisy vehicle inside. I like Toyotas and have a Toyota hybrid which has been completely economical and reliable for over a decade. That said, I would buy the Subaru Outback Wilderness for its expanded winter driving and mild off-road abilities.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Thanks for summarizing this all so well! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the hybrid and I think you’ll also really like the Outback!

[@tuan056585]

The interior of the Outback is much nicer than the RAV4's.

[@jeffweier4824]

Putting aside the comparison for a minute the problem for Subaru is that Toyota benefits financially from every and any Subaru sold. This is a fact because it has a little over 20% ownership of Subaru. If Subaru ends up using Toyota Hybrid technology, this will also come at a cost and it will most likely meanToyota's ownership stake percentage in Subaru will increase yet again. Sad but unfortunately true.

[@kevinb2844]

Subaru are already borderline pricey…. I’m afraid when they bring the Hybrids out they’re just gonna be too expensive….that being said…I would absolutely love a true awd hybrid

[@topofthegreen]

I’d bet on the Subaru, hybrid battery’s are expensive when they die. The Toyota AWD system can overheat and shutdown.

[@dhrtiwalter8670]

I’ll stick with Subaru

[@damianandriver]

lol are you trading the rav4? ;)

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Haha no. 😅 I still stand by the decision to experience a change for a while. It’s just refreshing to have a new experience. Especially when I’m sure at some point I’ll buy another Subaru and we have the Forester in the garage for the time being.🤪

[@jaycomber4154]

Compare it with rav trd

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

That’s a good idea. If I can find a TRD before the current gen OBW is out of production I’ll definitely consider it!

[@wildbill23c]

I'd take the lower fuel economy for a better AWD system in the Subaru. When you live in an area where you never know from year to year what kind of snow accumulation you are going to have I'd rather have the more dependable competent AWD system from Subaru. I currently have a 2003 Jeep Liberty Limited 4x4 with the 3.7L V6..if I get 19mpg on the highway that's about all its got. The 4WD system in my Liberty has both full time and part time 4WD modes does great in the snow but the somewhat dismal fuel economy is the major negative for it. Toyota might have a better power train to a point, but their vehicles in general are very boring and outdated compared to other brands. Their quality control and reliability has suffered in recent years making them less appealing to potential previous Toyota owners. A lot of reliability issues also boil down to how the vehicle was maintained and driven...a lot of complaints are from people who never bothered to service their vehicle like it should have been, and skip every bit of maintenance they can thinking they're saving money....well if they change cars as often as they do clothes sure they don't care because they won't have the vehicle long enough to see what that neglect and abuse does to a vehicle. The Subaru Outback Wilderness looks good and unlike other brands the Wilderness model does add several offroad features, its not just badges like Toyota for example has done with the TRD stickers.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Great summary, and knowing you want an OBW I figured you’d appreciate this video! 😉

[@wildbill23c]

@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Very much appreciated, thanks. I've had a couple Toyota vehicles and have driven others too they're lineup of vehicles is boring to me LOL. The Subaru is something totally different at least for me.

[@garygeorge9648]

Traded in my Outback for a RAV4 hybrid. The Outback seats sucked and was underpowered. The RAV4 seats I think are the same ones. Outback has more room and worse gas milage. Both drive about the same. If the wilderness has better seats and was about $5 grand cheaper, I would think about it. EDIT: RAV4 Hybrid's biggest downfall is it is the nosiest vehicle I have ever owned outside of my Wrangler and it is close!

[@yardboy3955]

Wilderness with turbo for me.

[@wildbill23c]

I'm thinking this too for my next car is the Outback Wilderness. Kind of hesitant on a vehicle with a turbo though, but who knows, might be a great option. I keep my vehicles for a long time, so hopefully it'll hold up with keeping up with the maintenance that's recommended.

[@BiagioOliverio-c7t]

You’re comparing a outback made for off road and the RAV 4 design for gas mileage , make no sense

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Yup, lol. I actually originally intended to film a loaded Premium or mild Limited to have a similarly priced Outback to the RAV4. But last minute decided to swap it out for the Wilderness. 🤪 This video is more about the physical model and less about the specific trim level being compared, even if I didn’t ultimately make it sound that way. 😅

[@MaxPayne.vol1]

Didnt like the front bumper Outback. Looks so ugly...

[@helios_gt]

Outback - Forester - Ascent for offroad and long trips.... Rav4 hybrid or Mazda CX50 hybrid for city- suburb....

[@Redhawk24]

RAV4. More horsepower, torque, better gas mileage, no CVT, more reliable. Easy choice.

[@bd103dall]

Far less HP and Torque. They are comparing the wilderness, not the base.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I was originally going to find a similarly priced Outback to compare to the RAV4, then decided “nah, let’s just use a Wilderness” lol. But my point in this video beyond showing side by side the vehicles I actually owned was more just for the side by side of the basic models. Since Toyota and Subaru each offer over half a dozen of each in trim levels. 🤪

[@JG-ef4ut]

I just bought the RAV4 hybrid--couldn’t be happier about my decision

[@garygeorge9648]

@@JG-ef4ut Enjoy all the noise that comes with it. Mine is so loud.

[@angrybeavers1175]

Wrong subaru was ranked more reliable than toyota and honda recently look it up for yourself.

[@windycityrebel]

I have a 2025 Outback Wilderness and i love it.Sorry but the Toyota is nowhere near as nice as the Wilderness,.

[@steviedee71]

Toyota over Subaru every time

[@garygeorge9648]

You do know they share a lot of mechanicals and equipment. Both of their EV's are the same care with different exteriors.

[@fogsmart]

Too bad Subaru has recently been such a huge disappointment.

[@briandavis8139]

Love our 24 Wilderness and our 6th Subaru

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

That’s awesome, I’m glad you’re enjoying it!

[@2wheelsgood918]

My ‘25 OBW is my 9th Subaru! Yikes!

[@alexanderh.999]

I don't even have to watch this video and I can tell you the Wilderness is the better car.