The Subaru Outback Wilderness is a car-based off-roader going up against the off-road legend of the Toyota Land Cruiser. Which SUV is better?
The Outback evolved from being a cultish off-road wagon into the compact crossover SUV that we know today. While the Outback was getting bigger, the Land Cruiser got smaller. At one time, this big Toyota SUV was the largest vehicle in the Toyota lineup, but today, it’s basically a trim continuation of the 4Runner, making it a high-end off-road SUV.
Should you drive the Subaru Outback Wilderness or the Toyota Land Cruiser? Let’s find out.
What does the Outback offer?
The Wilderness trim is the most hardcore off-road version of this Subaru SUV. For the most part, Subaru vehicles are off-road-ready with the inclusion of standard Symmetrical AWD. Still, the Wilderness trim provides this SUV with 9.5 inches of ground clearance, which means you can traverse over most obstacles on nearly every trail.
Powertrain
The Outback is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat four-cylinder engine that sends 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. The engine mates to a CVT, much like many other Subaru vehicles. The Subaru X-Mode provides two drive modes in the AWD system to optimize the powertrain for whatever terrain you find. This isn’t nearly the same output as what you’ll get out of the Land Cruiser, but the Outback is also much smaller and lighter, weighing in at 3,922 pounds compared to the 5,038 pounds for the Toyota. This means this powertrain could be adequate for the off-road fun you want to enjoy.
The latest version of the Outback is two inches taller, one inch wider, and 0.5 inches longer than the previous version. It also has a four-wheel independent suspension with struts in the front and a multilink setup in the rear.
What does the Land Cruiser offer?
Despite significant changes compared to the previous generation, the latest version of the Toyota Land Cruiser looks and acts more like a traditional off-road SUV than before. It is tall and boxy, using the Toyota GA-F platform, which utilizes a body-on-frame construction. The rear axle has a coil-spring suspension, while the front features an independent double-wishbone suspension. The Land Cruiser falls short of the Subaru Outback Wilderness in terms of ground clearance, measuring 8.7 inches above the ground. That said, the breakover and approach angles are better in the Toyota SUV than in the Subaru model.
Powertrain
Toyota’s commitment to hybrid powertrains is present in the Land Cruiser. It uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid setup to generate 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. This power is sent to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission and two-speed transfer case. This power allows the Toyota to pull up to 6,000 pounds, which is much more than the Subaru, which can only tow up to 3,500 pounds.
The Land Cruiser also has impressive off-road hardware, such as locking center and rear differentials and a disconnecting front stabilizer bar, which you won’t find in the smaller Subaru.
What’s new for the Outback?
The new 2026 Subaru Outback has been completely redesigned, giving it a much better interior with more contemporary styling and updated infotainment technology. This doesn’t mean any changes were made to the powertrain, but the Outback already has an excellent balance of power and efficiency for your driving needs.
The Subaru Outback Wilderness has become the affordable, go anywhere vehicle that can be great for your time on the trails. Its still a car-based SUV, despite having more ground clearance than the Toyota Land Rover. Some drivers may look at the Outback and still think its nothing more than a lifted station wagon.
What’s new for the Land Cruiser?
The 2025 version of the Toyota Land Cruiser isn’t any different than the 2024 version, except that the First Edition model has been deleted. Considering this is only the second year of the latest generation, it’s not surprising that Toyota didn’t make any changes.
The current generation brings renewed purpose to the driving experience when you get behind the Land Cruiser. It’s certainly more hardcore and off-road-ready than the Subaru Outback Wilderness, despite the addition of the trim name.
Which SUV should you drive?
If you want the right powertrain and upscale setup to tackle tougher trails in the wilderness, the Toyota Land Cruiser is the right SUV for you. On the other hand, when you want to tackle light to medium trails and enjoy a smoother ride on the road, you’ll want to choose the Subaru Outback Wilderness. Which of these two off-road SUVs will you drive?
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