| Income Bracket | Monthly Financing Cost Range | Cash Purchase Price Range | Subaru Outback Years | Toyota RAV4 Years | Best Model Year: | Why? |
| < $5k | $42-$83 | $1,500-$3,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Neither vehicle has a “best of” option at this price range |
| $5k-$10k | $83-$125 | $3,000-$4,500 | N/A | 2002 | 2002 RAV4 | Only the 2002 RAV4 fits this price bracket and is a “best of” model year |
| $10k-$15k | $125-$187 | $4,500-$6,750 | N/A | N/A | N/A | No “best of” options for this price |
| $15k-$25k | $187-$312 | $6,750-$11,250 | N/A | 2009, 2011-2013 | 2013 RAV4 | Only “worst” Outbacks at this price point |
| $25k-$35k | $312-$437 | $11,250-$15,750 | 2014, 2016 | 2014-2015 | 2016 Outback | It has the highest objective reliability score |
| $35k-$50k | $437-$625 | $15,750-$22,500 | 2017-2019, | 2017-2018 | 2019 Outback | Highest FIXD rating and better safety score |
| $50k-$74k | $625-$925 | $22,500-$33,300 | 2021 | 2019-2021 | 2021 RAV4 | Both score 10/10 for reliability and have matching safety scores, but the RAV4 has better fuel economy |
See the methodology for the table above.
The crossover portion of the automotive industry pie is larger than ever, a pie that the Toyota RAV4 helped bake back in 1995. That same year, Subaru had the same idea of applying a rugged vibe to a car-based platform and so, the Outback was born.
Fast forward nearly 30 years and both of these vehicles remain strong sellers with the RAV4 sitting in fourth place for overall 2023 sales behind only the Big Three full-size pickup trucks. The Outback’s success story is all the more interesting as, even though it’s classified as an SUV, it’s a station wagon on stilts.
With automakers presently fixated on creating ever more “adventure-ready” vehicles, the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Outback are natural fits. But what if you don’t want to spend the $28,000 required to get into a new model? Well, you’ve come to the right place.
This best model year comparison is intended to give would-be buyers a comprehensive overview of the best-used Outback and RAV4 going back to 2001. To create it, we’ve leaned on the data-driven best and worst model year rankings that we already have for the Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4.
These rankings are a deep-dive analysis of objective and subjective reliability, safety scores from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), current market values from Kelley Blue Book (KBB), fuel economy figures published on FuelEconomy.gov, and owner-reported annual upkeep costs.
Budget is an equally important factor when it comes to buying a used Outback or RAV4. To that end, we’ve created the above table. It only suggests model years that have already been chosen for “Best Of” status and then segments them by income bracket, financing costs, and cash purchase price range.
We want you to have a clear picture of where to start on your car-buying journey and on that note, be sure to check out our used car-buying checklist before you get too far.
For those looking to go the new route, however, be sure to check out our comparison of the 2023 Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4. You can also flip through the following list of best and worst model year rankings for competitors and relevant comparisons.
Best and Worst Model Year Rankings
- Best and Worst Model Years of the Honda CR-V
- Best and Worst Model Years of the Subaru Forester
- Best and Worst Model Years of the Ford Edge
- Best and Worst Model Years of the Nissan Murano
Competitor Comparisons
- Subaru Outback vs. Toyota Highlander
- Subaru Outback vs. Subaru Forester
- Toyota RAV4 vs. Subaru Forester
- Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V
Price History Comparison | Subaru Outback vs Toyota RAV4
Average Market Value – Based on Owners’ Self-Reported Mileages | Subaru Outback vs Toyota RAV4
Looking over the above market value comparison chart, you can see how prices generally trend down as the years go on and mileage piles up. It’s also clear that the RAV4 consistently commands higher prices than the Outback, which is in line with Toyota’s reputation for higher resale values.
As we’ll look at below, the RAV4 isn’t automatically more reliable than the Outback, so these higher values don’t necessarily mean the Toyota is the superior used vehicle. Some of the gaps in values can be explained by mileage.
In 2016, for example, the RAV4 enjoyed a nearly $6,000 premium over the Outback. But, looking over owner-reported mileages reveals that the Outback can have up to 35,000 more miles on the clock that year. The point is, start here to get an idea of price points, but do your homework on other factors like reliability and how the mileage was accumulated.
Our best and worst model year rankings series covers this in more detail for both the Outback and the RAV4.
Depreciation vs Maintenance Expenses
Buying a used car like the Outback or RAV4 comes with the benefit of deprecation. A new car loses 10 to 15 percent of its value after the first year of ownership and up to 50 percent after five years due to depreciation. That stinks if you’re buying new, but is a boon for those going used and who know where to look.
You can dig into these details with these depreciation graphs and associated data for the Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4, or look at the charts above for a quick overview.
Each one highlights the “sweet spot” of depreciation against cost per mile to keep the vehicle on the road. For the Outback, that zone runs from 2005 to 2008, a span of model years where you can expect to pay between 4 and 9 cents per mile of upkeep.
On the right, the RAV4 “sweet spot” covers a longer period, from 2004 to 2009, but the upkeep costs are higher at 5 to 12 cents per mile. That being said, the 2009 RAV4 gets a thumbs up on the best and worst model year ranking, whereas the 2005 to 2008 Outbacks are all in the “worst of” category for their model year rankings.
Reliability Comparison | Subaru Outback vs Toyota RAV4
We cover objective FIXD reliability and subjective owner-reported reliability in detail with the Outback and RAV4 best and worst model years series. We then use that data to generate the side-by-side comparison of these two crossovers above.
Looking over the FIXD Reliability Score chart on the left shows that for 11 years between 2001 and 2021, the Subaru Outback is objectively more reliable than the Toyota RAV4. Toyota has a reputation for excellent reliability, which isn’t necessarily wrong, but the Outback is plenty reliable as well.
However, some of the biggest gaps in FIXD scores are between 2001 and 2012, and all of those model year Outbacks are in our “worst of” category, so be careful here. Instead, look to 2016 when the Outback far outperforms the Rav4 on reliability and is within the “best of” years in our rankings.
If you’re looking for a RAV4, the 2009 model year is both inside the depreciation “sweet spot” from earlier and a better performer than the Outback in reliability.
Over on the right, we have a comparison of how owners rate their Outbacks and RAV4s on reliability. It’s a closer matchup here with 9 model years posting identical scores for both vehicles. However, it offers an interesting perspective on how reliable owners think their car is versus how reliable it actually is.
Longevity Comparison | Subaru Outback vs Toyota RAV4
Another important factor in buying a used car is how much mileage you’re comfortable with. The above chart displays owner-reported average odometer readings for the Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4 to give you an idea of what to expect based on model year.
As is typical, mileage and age increase at the same time, but keep in mind, that there’s more to buying a used car than the mileage figure.
For example, the 2002 RAV4 averages far more than 200,000 miles, but still earns a spot on the “best of” side of its model year rankings. Conversely, a lightly used 2020 Outback may sound like a good idea as it averages only about 50,000 miles and yet, it gets a thumbs down on its model year rankings.
So, make sure that along with finding a used model with the kind of mileage you’re comfortable with, it also ticks all the right boxes for overall reliability. Need more insight? Our article about what is considered high mileage in a vehicle should help.
Who Should Buy These Cars: The Legacy of The Subaru Outback & Toyota RAV4
| Frequent Use Categories: | Subaru Outback | How Useful? (Out of 5 Stars) | Toyota RAV4 | How Useful? (Out of 5 Stars) |
| Family Vehicle | * * * * * | ***** |
| Lots of Driving (travel/long commute) | * * * | **** |
| Hauling/Towing | * | * |
| Office on Wheels | * | * |
| Sport/Fast Driving | * | * |
| Luxurious Driving | * | * |
| Outdoor/Off-Road | * * | * |
The table above comes from owner survey responses to a question about the primary use of their Outbacks and RAV4s. As you can see, both crossovers rank highest for use as a family vehicle. This is no surprise given their respectively high safety ratings as we’ll look at below.
The high number of owners using their rides for lots of driving correlates with the prior section about average mileage, as hitting 100,000 miles is accomplished with ease. But, only the Subaru Outback registers more than 1 star for any other category and it’s in the Outdoor/Off-Road category.
This is not surprising as Subaru positions the Outback as an outdoor adventure vehicle, but you’ll want to bear this in mind when shopping the used market. Off-roading is always more abusive on a vehicle than driving paved roads, so be sure to find out exactly how adventurous the previous owner was with their Outback.
Driver Experience | A Summary of The Top 10 Subaru Outback vs Toyota RAV4 Reddit Posts:
Nothing like a good Reddit to gather opinions about just about anything, including cars. To that end, we dug into the What Car Should I Buy Reddit to get some unfiltered perspectives on the Subaru Outback and RAV4 from owners trying to help their fellow Redditors on the buying journey.
For the most part, comments are as you might expect with the RAV4 said to be a strong runner with few visits to the shop and cheap bills when it does end up there. As well, the hybrid models earn a lot of praise for their Outback-beating fuel efficiency.
Subie fans regularly note how comfortable the Outback is and how ideal it is for long road trips with a big cabin and a better “drive experience”. The standard AWD system also ranks high amongst owners as a benefit to this tall wagon.
Interestingly, there is little to no commentary around the Outback being reliable, but most say the RAV4 is very reliable. However, as we know from the charts above, the Subaru Outback is quite reliable according to objective FIXD data.
At the end of the day, this user sums up the question about which crossover to buy best with, “Both cars will last you to 200k with relatively few issues. I think in this case just test drive ’em both and go with your gut”.
Year-by-Year Comparison | Subaru Outback vs Toyota RAV4
Best & Worst Years | Subaru Outback vs Toyota RAV4 | 2001-2024
If you want the bottom line on the best and worst model years of the Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4, the timeline above is it. All the analysis from those articles is condensed into this easy-to-digest color-coded graphic.
Model years in the red fall into the worst category, those that are green we consider the best years, and yellow is for model years we don’t have enough data on yet. Were you to overlay our depreciation “sweet spot” chart with this timeline, you’d find that only the 2009 RAV4 is in that zone and in the green above.
The blue circles indicate the start of a new generation, an occasion often accompanied by reliability trouble as an automaker works through production kinks. The start of every Outback generation – 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 – follows this automotive trend.
Important Features Timeline | Subaru Outback vs Toyota RAV4
Our best and worst model year rankings for the Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4 analyze a whole lot of data, but this above graphic is to help you figure out when the creature comforts and technology you want first arrived on these crossovers.
Heated seats have been around for 20 years on the RAV4 and even longer on the Outback, but cooled seats only arrived in the past 3 to 4 model years. Apple and Android smartphone mirroring technology showed up in 2019 on the Toyota and 1 year earlier in the Subaru.
Advanced driver-assistance systems have exploded in popularity over the past few years, but going back between 2013 and 2015, you can find systems like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on both the Outback and RAV4.
For a lot of folks shopping for these SUVs, AWD is a priority. While the RAV4 has offered AWD since at least 2001, only the Outback has made it standard equipment that whole time. However, the RAV4 is the only option if you want a hybrid, which debuted back in 2016.
You’ll have to go back much further if you want the RAV4 with a manual transmission unicorn as this combination was only available until 2005. However, the Outback still offered a stick as recently as 2015.
Maintenance Costs (Year-by-Year Average) | Subaru Outback vs Toyota RAV4
One perception that aligns with reality in this comparison is that the Toyota RAV4 is cheap to maintain. As you can see on the chart above, which compares owner-reported repair costs, the RAV4 comes in well under the Outback for this metric a majority of the time.
We go into more detail with our model year rankings of the Outback and RAV4, but a key highlight is that the Subaru’s annual maintenance costs average $706 versus $581 for the Toyota. Not only that, the Outback hits or exceeds $1,000 for this metric across 5 model years, whereas the RAV4 only hits that point once.
Of course, as any vehicle ages, repair bills can start to stack up, but don’t assume the worst if you see a lot of these bills when looking for a used car. An Outback or RAV4 from an owner who performs regular maintenance to keep their SUV on the road, even with lots of miles, is likely a better bet than one with low miles and spotty service history.
Safety Rating Comparison | Subaru Outback vs Toyota RAV4
As noted earlier, the Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4 are primarily family vehicles and as such, are expected to be safe. The above chart of NHTSA crash-test scores over the past 20 years confirms this to be the case.
Over that period, the Outback never hits or goes below 4 out of 5 stars on average and the RAV4 only does so twice. One of those times, in 2011, coincided with the NHTSA running new, more strict testing protocols that caused an industry-wide drop in scores, which is reflected on the chart.
Unlike some vehicles that post steady safety improvements over time and in line with new generations, these two crossovers have generally performed well in this department since day one. For more on this, check out our best and worst model year rankings for the Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4.
Fuel Efficiency Comparison | Subaru Outback vs Toyota RAV4
Understanding the best and worst model years of the Outback and RAV4 is a nuanced thing with lots of data analysis. You know what’s not nuanced between these two crossovers? Fuel efficiency. If that’s your priority, do not pass go, just go straight to the RAV4.
Granted, we’re referring to the RAV4 hybrid, but considering these models have been hitting the 40 mpg mark on average since 2019, it’s a no-brainer.
That being said, the gas-powered models of both the Subaru and RAV4 are no slouches in this department with 25 mpg across the board since 2015. Also, the Toyota is usually 1-2 mpg ahead of the Subaru on this front, particularly since 2022 when the Outback Wilderness model was introduced.
All in all, with an average fuel economy rating of 23 mpg, 4.5 out of 5 stars for safety, a sub-$10,000 market value, a thumbs up for reliability, and landing in the depreciation “sweet spot”, the 2009 RAV4 looks like a pretty solid bet across this used comparison.
Methodology
- Clearly state the purpose of the comparison, which is to compare two vehicles Subaru Outback vs Toyota RAV4, and provide a comprehensive analysis.
- Gather relevant information and data on both vehicles from reliable sources, such as manufacturer specifications, expert reviews, customer feedback, industry reports, and data sources like manufacturer websites, FIXD App, Kelley Blue Book, FuelEconomy.gov, and NHTSA.
- Collect data on various aspects, including performance, safety features, fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, reliability, owner satisfaction, and market value.
- Identify the key criteria that will be used to evaluate and compare the two vehicles.
- Ensure the criteria cover both objective factors (such as performance metrics, safety ratings, and fuel efficiency) and subjective factors (such as owner satisfaction, comfort, and features).
- Assess the performance of both vehicles based on factors such as acceleration, handling, braking, and overall driving experience.
- Compare engine options, horsepower, torque, transmission options, and any unique performance features.
- Examine the safety features and ratings of both vehicles.
- Evaluate crash test ratings, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), active and passive safety features, and any notable recalls or known issues related to safety.
- Consider both NHTSA safety ratings and IIHS awards for a comprehensive safety assessment.
- Analyze the fuel economy of both vehicles based on EPA mileage estimates.
- Compare their MPG ratings, average full-tank range, and any significant differences in fuel efficiency.
- Assess the average annual maintenance and repair costs for both vehicles.
- Consider data from surveyed owners and other reliable sources, such as FIXD App owner surveys, to determine the overall cost of ownership over time.
- Evaluate the reliability of both vehicles based on owner reports, FIXD App data, and any known issues or recalls.
- Consider factors such as engine reliability, common problems by model year, long-term durability, and owner reliability scores gathered from surveys.
- Consider owner satisfaction by gathering information from forums, online communities (Reddit: r/whatcarshouldIbuy), customer reviews, and owner reliability scores.
- Summarize key factors that owners appreciate and any common complaints or drawbacks mentioned by owners.
- Compare the features and technologies offered by both vehicles.
- Highlight any notable differences in terms of infotainment systems, connectivity options, driver assistance features, interior quality, and available upgrades.
- Assess the market value and depreciation of both vehicles.
- Compare average prices, resale value, and how the vehicles hold their value over time.
- Consider average private-seller valuations from Kelley Blue Book (KBB) for a comprehensive assessment.
- Summarize the findings of the comparison, highlighting the positives and negatives of each vehicle.
- Provide a fair and balanced recommendation based on the comparison, considering factors such as budget, personal preferences, specific needs of the buyer, and the comprehensive analysis conducted.
Sources:
- KBB Values: Average private-seller valuations as supplied by Kelley Blue Book (KBB), based on a Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry with typical mileage for that respective model year.
- Fuel Economy: Mileage-per-gallon estimates according to the EPA MPG on Fueleconomy.gov.
- Annual Maintenance/Repairs: Upkeep expenses as reported by surveyed Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4 owners.
- Safety Ratings: Crash test data collected and reported by NHTSA. We average all ratings for each year to come up with a simplified, average safety score. This makes it easier to look at on a graph. We also collected IIHS Awards for this article.
- Vehicle Features: Most or all information gathered on vehicle features were from the manufacturer websites, in this case Subaru.com and Toyota.com
Niel Stender grew up doing replacement work on his old Cherokee and sweet Mitsubishi Starion, which led to a degree in mechanical engineering and a job at Ford as a vehicle dynamics engineer. His writing infuses that automotive background with sales and marketing experience. Writing about cars for close to a decade now, he enjoys digging into some of the more technical mechanical systems under the hood and throughout a vehicle.
