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2026 Subaru Outback vs 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E

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.

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Key differences

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 $2,800
  • Rear legroommore rear legroom by 1.4 in
  • Front headroommore front headroom by 2.1 in
  • Cargo behind rear seatmore cargo behind the rear seat by 4.9 cu ft

BMustang Mach-E has

  • Wheelbaselonger wheelbase by 9.4 in

=Same figure

None of the compared fields are identical.

Head-to-head

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.

OutbackMustang Mach-E
Starting price2026 Subaru Outback: lower starting price by $2,800
$34,995
$37,795
Overall lengthVaries by trim or option; compare the exact configuration
191.7 in
185.6-187.0 in
Wheelbase2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E: longer wheelbase by 9.4 in
108.1 in
117.5 in
Rear legroom2026 Subaru Outback: more rear legroom by 1.4 in
39.5 in
38.1 in
Front headroom2026 Subaru Outback: more front headroom by 2.1 in
Up to 41.0 in
38.9 in
Cargo behind rear seat2026 Subaru Outback: more cargo behind the rear seat by 4.9 cu ft
34.6 cu ft
29.7 cu ft

Decision snapshot

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
BMustang Mach-E$37,795Manufacturer-published U.S. specification

2026 Subaru Outback has lower published starting MSRP by $2,800.

EfficiencyGas / base fuel economy
AOutback25 city / 31 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
BMustang Mach-ENot verifiedNo source-backed value in this profile

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

Maximum cargoMaximum cargo volume
AOutback80.5 cu ftSubaru published figure
BMustang Mach-ENot 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
BMustang Mach-E38.1 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification

2026 Subaru Outback has more published rear/second-row legroom by 1.4 in.

Maximum towingMaximum towing
AOutback2,700 lbProperly equipped
BMustang Mach-ENot 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
BMustang Mach-EVerify 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

At a glance

Key specifications

2 of 8 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E
Starting MSRPDifferent$34,995Premium$37,795Manufacturer-published U.S. specification
Primary engine / systemData gap2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Primary outputData gap180 hp2.5L BOXER—No source-backed value verified yet
DrivetrainData gapSymmetrical AWDStandard—No source-backed value verified yet
SeatingData gap52026 Subaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Cargo behind rear seatDifferent34.6 cu ftSubaru published figure29.7 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Maximum cargoData gap80.5 cu ft2026 published figure—No source-backed value verified yet
Maximum towingData gap2,700 lbProperly equipped—No source-backed value verified yet

Price & trims

Pricing and trim lineup

4 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E
Starting MSRPDifferent$34,995Premium$37,795Manufacturer-published U.S. specification
Entry trimDifferentPremium · $34,9952.5L naturally aspiratedSelect · 2026 trimRWD or eAWD
Highest listed trimDifferentTouring XT · $47,9952.4L turboRally · 2026 trimRally-oriented eAWD
Trim lineupDifferentPremium · Limited · Touring · Wilderness · Limited XT · Touring XT6 researched trimsSelect · Premium · GT · Rally4 researched trims

Performance

Engine, output and drivetrain

0 of 6 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E
Engine / primary systemData gap2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
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
DrivetrainData gapSymmetrical AWDStandard—No source-backed value verified yet

Fuel & efficiency

Fuel and efficiency details

0 of 3 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E
Gas / base fuel economyData gap25 city / 31 highway mpgSubaru published estimates—No source-backed value verified yet
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

Size & footprint

Exterior dimensions

2 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E
WheelbaseDifferent108.1 inSubaru U.S. specification117.5 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Overall lengthDifferent191.7 inSubaru U.S. specification185.6-187.0 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
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

Cabin

Interior space and seating

4 of 6 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E
SeatingData gap52026 Subaru U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Front legroomDifferent43.0 inSubaru U.S. specification43.3 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Rear legroomDifferent39.5 inSubaru U.S. specification38.1 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Front headroomDifferentUp to 41.0 inRoof equipment dependent38.9 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Rear headroomDifferent40.5 inSubaru U.S. specification38.2 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Passenger volumeData gapUp to 112.3 cu ftWithout moonroof—No source-backed value verified yet

Cargo

Cargo space and practical measurements

1 of 8 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E
Cargo behind rear seatDifferent34.6 cu ftSubaru published figure29.7 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification
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

Utility

Towing, seating and capability

1 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E
Maximum towingData gap2,700 lbProperly equipped—No source-backed value verified yet
All-wheel driveData gapSymmetrical AWDStandard—No source-backed value verified yet
Cargo behind rear seatDifferent34.6 cu ftSubaru published figure29.7 cu ftManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Maximum cargoData gap80.5 cu ftSubaru published figure—No source-backed value verified yet

Safety

Published safety ratings

0 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E
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

Ownership

Warranty and service planning

1 of 1 differ
Research fieldA2026 Subaru OutbackB2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E
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

Safety systems

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

Mustang Mach-E

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

Cabin technology

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

Mustang Mach-E

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

Evidence ledger

Source links and research freshness

Buying context

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

Mustang Mach-E

  1. Compare EPA range by battery and drivetrain.
  2. Keep frunk volume separate from rear cargo volume.
  3. Weather, speed and HVAC use can materially change real range.
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

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