Compare the2026 Subaru OutbackVS 2026 Volvo V60 Cross Country

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 Volvo V60 Cross Country has not been tested.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Subaru Outback’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system costs extra on the Volvo V60 Cross Country.

Both the Outback and the V60 Cross Country 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, all wheel drive, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

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 V60 Cross Country has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the Outback 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the V60 Cross Country. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the V60 Cross Country ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Outback’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Outback’s reliability 11 points higher than the V60 Cross Country.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 71 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Volvo With 30 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Volvo.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru second in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 15th.

The Outback XT/Wilderness’ standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (260 vs. 247) and 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 258) than the V60 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Outback XT/Wilderness 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Volvo V60 Cross Country:

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 V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Outback 2.5i 2.5 DOHC flat-4 gets better fuel mileage than the V60 Cross Country B5 (25 city/31 hwy vs. 23 city/31 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Outback uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on Outback XT/Wilderness for maximum performance). The V60 Cross Country requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Outback has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the V60 Cross Country (18 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Outback higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Volvo V60 Cross Country (4). This means the Outback produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the V60 Cross Country every 15,000 miles.

The Outback has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Outback stops much shorter than the V60 Cross Country:

For better traction, the Outback has larger tires than the V60 Cross Country (225/65R17 vs. 215/55R18).

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 V60 Cross Country; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The front and rear suspension of the Outback uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the V60 Cross Country, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Outback offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The V60 Cross Country’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the Outback’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the V60 Cross Country’s (36.5 feet vs. 37.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outback has a greater minimum ground clearance than the V60 Cross Country (8.7 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Outback to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outback Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 1.7 inches higher than on the V60 Cross Country (9.5 vs. 7.8 inches).

The Subaru Outback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Volvo V60 Cross Country.

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 V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Outback Touring XT is quieter than the V60 Cross Country Ultra:

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Outback a Mid-Size Station Wagon car, while the V60 Cross Country is rated a Small Station Wagon.

The Outback has 18.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the V60 Cross Country (112.3 vs. 94).

The Outback has 3.6 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.4 inches more rear headroom, 4.3 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the V60 Cross Country.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Outback’s rear seats recline. The V60 Cross Country’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Outback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the V60 Cross Country with its rear seat up (34.6 vs. 23.2 cubic feet). The Outback has a much larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the V60 Cross Country with its rear seat folded (80.5 vs. 60.5 cubic feet).

The Outback’s cargo area is larger than the V60 Cross Country’s in every dimension:

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Outback’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Outback’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the V60 Cross Country’s (2700 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Volvo V60 Cross Country is only 2000 pounds. The Outback offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the Outback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the V60 Cross Country. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 36% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 23rd.

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 V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Volvo On Call can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Outback has standard extendable sun visors. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Outback is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the V60 Cross Country, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the Outback offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the V60 Cross Country.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the Outback equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The V60 Cross Country, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Subaru Outback empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

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

The Subaru Outback outsold the Volvo 60 Series by almost 33 to one during 2025.