2026 Subaru Outback vs 2026 Ford Bronco

Price, size, cabin, cargo, towing, safety and ownership side by side. Every value comes from the cited sources in each model-year profile, and gaps stay labeled instead of guessed.

Build a comparisonChange the SUVs
Swap A and B

Where the published numbers differ

No overall winner: each line is one source-backed figure. Decide which ones matter for how you will use the SUV.

AOutback has

  • Starting pricelower starting price by $5,800

BBronco has

No higher published figure among the compared fields.

=Same figure

None of the compared fields are identical.

The numbers, side by side

Bars share one scale starting at zero, so small real differences are not exaggerated. Where a profile lists several figures, the highest published one is used.

OutbackBronco
Starting price2026 Subaru Outback: lower starting price by $5,800
$34,995
$40,795
Rear legroomVaries by trim or option; compare the exact configuration
39.5 in
35.7 in 2-door; 36.3 in 4-door

Six buyer questions, without an overall winner.

Each card compares one documented criterion. A lead is shown only when both source-backed values use a compatible measurement; otherwise the raw facts stay visible and the criterion stays unresolved.

Starting priceStarting MSRP
AOutback$34,995Premium
BBronco$40,795Manufacturer-published U.S. specification

2026 Subaru Outback has lower published starting MSRP by $5,800.

EfficiencyGas / base fuel economy
AOutback25 city / 31 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
BBroncoConfiguration-specificEngine, body, tires and axle ratio matter

The current profiles do not provide two normalized values that can be compared safely.

Maximum cargoMaximum cargo volume
AOutback80.5 cu ftSubaru published figure
BBroncoNot verifiedNo source-backed value in this profile

The current profiles do not provide two normalized values that can be compared safely.

Rear-seat roomRear legroom
AOutback39.5 inSubaru U.S. specification
BBronco35.7 in 2-door; 36.3 in 4-doorManufacturer-published U.S. specification

2026 Subaru Outback has more published rear/second-row legroom by 3.2 in.

Maximum towingMaximum towing
AOutback2,700 lbProperly equipped
BBroncoNot verifiedNo source-backed value in this profile

The current profiles do not provide two normalized values that can be compared safely.

Basic warrantyNew-vehicle / basic warranty
AOutbackConfirm the 2026 Subaru warranty bookletCoverage tied to in-service date and mileage
BBroncoVerify 2026 VIN/model-year bookletCoverage can vary by component and in-service date

The current profiles do not provide two normalized values that can be compared safely.

Table view

Key specifications

4 of 8 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Bronco
Starting MSRPDifferent$34,995Premium$40,795Manufacturer-published U.S. specification
Primary engine / systemDifferent2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinderManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Primary outputData gap180 hp2.5L BOXER—No source-backed value verified yet
DrivetrainDifferentSymmetrical AWDStandard4x4Manufacturer-published U.S. specification
SeatingData gap52026 Subaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Cargo behind rear seatData gap34.6 cu ftSubaru published figure—No source-backed value verified yet
Maximum cargoDifferent80.5 cu ft2026 published figureUp to 83.0 cu ft4-door soft top
Maximum towingData gap2,700 lbProperly equipped—No source-backed value verified yet

Pricing and trim lineup

4 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Bronco
Starting MSRPDifferent$34,995Premium$40,795Manufacturer-published U.S. specification
Entry trimDifferentPremium · $34,9952.5L naturally aspiratedBase / Big Bend · 2026 lineup2.3L EcoBoost available
Highest listed trimDifferentTouring XT · $47,9952.4L turboRaptor · 2026 trimHigh-performance off-road
Trim lineupDifferentPremium · Limited · Touring · Wilderness · Limited XT · Touring XT6 researched trimsBase / Big Bend · Outer Banks / Badlands · Raptor3 researched trims

Engine, output and drivetrain

2 of 6 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Bronco
Engine / primary systemDifferent2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinderManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Primary outputData gap180 hp / 178 lb-ftSubaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
High-output / turbo engineData gap2.4L turbo SUBARU BOXERWilderness and XT models—No source-backed value verified yet
High-output / turbo powerData gap260 hp / 277 lb-ftSubaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
TransmissionData gapLineartronic CVTSubaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
DrivetrainDifferentSymmetrical AWDStandard4x4Manufacturer-published U.S. specification

Fuel and efficiency details

1 of 3 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Bronco
Gas / base fuel economyDifferent25 city / 31 highway mpgSubaru published estimatesConfiguration-specificEngine, body, tires and axle ratio matter
AWD / alternate fuel economyData gap21 city / 29 highway mpgSubaru published estimates—No source-backed value verified yet
Off-road trim fuel economyData gap21 city / 27 highway mpgSubaru published estimates—No source-backed value verified yet

Exterior dimensions

0 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Bronco
WheelbaseData gap108.1 inSubaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Overall lengthData gap191.7 inSubaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Overall widthData gap74.0 inSubaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Ground clearanceData gap8.7 inMost trims—No source-backed value verified yet
Off-road ground clearanceData gap9.5 inWilderness specification—No source-backed value verified yet

Interior space and seating

2 of 6 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Bronco
SeatingData gap52026 Subaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Front legroomDifferent43.0 inSubaru U.S. specification43.1 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Rear legroomDifferent39.5 inSubaru U.S. specification35.7 in 2-door; 36.3 in 4-doorManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Front headroomData gapUp to 41.0 inRoof equipment dependent—No source-backed value verified yet
Rear headroomData gap40.5 inSubaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Passenger volumeData gapUp to 112.3 cu ftWithout moonroof—No source-backed value verified yet

Cargo space and practical measurements

0 of 8 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Bronco
Cargo behind rear seatData gap34.6 cu ftSubaru published figure—No source-backed value verified yet
Maximum cargo volumeData gap80.5 cu ftSubaru published figure—No source-backed value verified yet
Cargo length, seats upData gap42.8 in2026 published specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Cargo length, seats foldedData gap75.9 in2026 published specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Width between wheel housingsData gap43.3 in2026 published specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Hatch-opening widthData gap44.3 in2026 published specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Hatch-opening heightData gap31.5 in2026 published specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Cargo-area heightData gap34.1 in2026 published specification—No source-backed value verified yet

Towing, seating and capability

1 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Bronco
Maximum towingData gap2,700 lbProperly equipped—No source-backed value verified yet
All-wheel driveDifferentSymmetrical AWDStandard4x4Manufacturer-published U.S. specification
Cargo behind rear seatData gap34.6 cu ftSubaru published figure—No source-backed value verified yet
Maximum cargoData gap80.5 cu ftSubaru published figure—No source-backed value verified yet

Published safety ratings

0 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Bronco
IIHS small overlap frontData gapGood2026 rating—No source-backed value verified yet
IIHS updated moderate overlap frontData gapGood2026 rating—No source-backed value verified yet
IIHS updated sideData gapGood2026 rating—No source-backed value verified yet
IIHS headlightsData gapGood2026 rating—No source-backed value verified yet

Warranty and service planning

1 of 1 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Bronco
New-vehicle / basic warrantyDifferentConfirm the 2026 Subaru warranty bookletCoverage tied to in-service date and mileageVerify 2026 VIN/model-year bookletCoverage can vary by component and in-service date

Driver-assistance equipment and context

A2026 Subaru

Outback

The redesigned 2026 Outback earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. Subaru also makes EyeSight, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking and DriverFocus part of the new-generation safety story.

  • EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
  • Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Reverse Automatic Braking
  • DriverFocus distraction mitigation
B2026 Ford

Bronco

Driver-assistance equipment is kept separate from crash ratings. Check the exact 2026 model on IIHS and NHTSA before relying on a rating or award.

  • Automatic emergency braking / forward-collision features
  • Lane-support features
  • Blind-spot systems where equipped
  • Check trim for available advanced driver assistance

Infotainment, connectivity and convenience

A2026 Subaru

Outback

  • A 12.1-inch center touchscreen is standard on the redesigned 2026 Outback.
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are integrated into the current STARLINK system.
  • DriverFocus is standard in the new-generation equipment strategy.
  • Upper trims add comfort, audio and driver-assistance equipment without changing the core cabin dimensions.
B2026 Ford

Bronco

  • Infotainment and phone integration vary by trim.
  • Camera, parking and premium-audio features vary by equipment.
  • Connected-services availability and trial periods can change.

Source links and research freshness

What to check before choosing a trim

A2026 Subaru

Outback

  1. This redesign is large enough that 2025 dimensions should not be used as substitutes for 2026 fit questions.
  2. The 2.5L is the efficiency-focused choice; the turbo is the relevant configuration for shoppers who need the higher tow rating or stronger acceleration.
  3. The hatch opening is lower than the maximum interior cargo height, so a tall rigid item can be limited by the doorway before the cabin itself.
  4. The 80.5-cu-ft maximum cargo figure and 75.9-inch folded floor length make the Outback unusually well documented for long-load planning.
Research caveat

Maximum hatch width, lower hatch width, wheel-housing width and internal maximum width describe different points. SUVLook keeps those fields separate so a larger number is not mistaken for guaranteed rectangular clearance.

Updated 2026-09-163 research sources
B2026 Ford

Bronco

  1. Do not combine two-door and four-door cargo figures.
  2. Hardtop and soft-top four-door models publish different cargo volumes.
  3. Off-road packages change dimensions and fuel economy.
Research caveat

Use the exact trim, drivetrain, roof equipment and powertrain when a number is configuration-sensitive. Cargo volume does not prove that a rigid item fits through the hatch; measure the exact vehicle for close-fit use cases.

Updated 2026-09-232 research sources

Similar matchups

The closest researched rivals to each SUV by size and price.