There are seemingly countless options for a new SUV these days, but less so if you’re looking for one that’s comfortable, roomy, and able to tackle snowy roads in the winter and outdoor adventures in the summer. Thankfully, a pair of SUVs are up for the challenge: the 2026 Honda Passport and 2026 Subaru Outback.
Both SUVs are bigger and roomier than their popular small SUV siblings, the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. They also have standard all-wheel drive and come in special versions that are more rugged and capable for occasional off-roading. Each SUV has also received a full redesign for 2026, bringing new styling and features. Yet there are still some key differences between the Passport and Outback. Which one is the better buy? Edmunds’ car experts compared them to find out.
Performance and fuel economy
The Subaru Outback offers a choice of four-cylinder engines: a base 180-horsepower one or a turbocharged 260-horsepower one. An Outback with the base engine can feel sluggish when you need a quick burst of speed. Thankfully, the available turbocharged engine is noticeably more robust. If you routinely load your SUV with people and gear, the turbo engine is worth the added cost.
The turbocharged Outback also outsprinted the Honda Passport in our testing. At the Edmunds test track, it needed 6.5 seconds to sprint from zero to 60 mph. The Passport, fitted with its standard 285-horsepower V6, needed 7.9 seconds.
There’s another upside for the Outback: better fuel economy. The base engine gets an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in combined city/highway driving, while the turbocharged Outback gets up to 24 mpg combined. The Passport gets up to an EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined.
Advantage: Subaru Outback
Space and utility
The redesigned Outback has more cargo space than before, and its boxier styling better accommodates bulky items. What doesn’t fit inside can go up onto sturdy roof rails, which are easier to reach since the Outback’s height is lower than the Passport’s. Storage for your small personal items is also improved.
Nonetheless, the Passport earns a win here. It’s taller and wider than the Outback, and its roomier back seat is better for fitting three people across and for installing bulky rear-facing child safety seats. The Passport’s boxy cargo area is even more palatial than the Subaru’s, and its small storage areas and cupholders are more useful for holding your stuff and drinks.
Advantage: Honda Passport
Pricing and value
Subaru offers the Outback in more trim levels, specifically on the lower end of the feature content spectrum. The 2026 Subaru Outback lineup starts with the Premium trim that costs $36,445, including destination fees. A base 2026 Honda Passport RTL trim is significantly more expensive at $46,445. The RTL comes with a few extra features that the Outback Premium lacks, however, plus its more powerful engine.
If you compare the starter Passport RTL to the more similarly equipped Outback Limited XT — the least expensive trim level with the turbocharged engine — the pricing gap narrows. Still, the Outback maintains a steady advantage for what you pay and what you get as you move up the trim level ladder. A loaded Outback costs about $50,000, while a loaded Passport is about $55,000.
Advantage: Subaru Outback
In-cabin technology
This used to be a sore spot for both, but no longer. The Outback has Subaru’s all-new 12.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Graphics and response times are greatly improved, and the climate controls are easier to use. We also like the simple touchscreen layout with large, easy-to-press virtual buttons. Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is included.
The Passport has a 12.3-inch touchscreen that comes standard with the Google Built-In suite of features. It allows you to use Google Assistant natural voice commands for some vehicle functions and includes integrated Google Maps. Overall, though, we like both touchscreens pretty much the same. The availability and functionality of the two SUVs’ advanced driver aids, such as traffic-adaptive cruise control, are pretty comparable as well.
Advantage: tie
Edmunds says
Edmunds considers both the Honda Passport and the Subaru Outback to be great choices for a midsize SUV. You won’t go wrong with either one. But head-to-head, the Outback ekes out a victory on the strength of its superior value and performance.
Picture Courtesy: Courtesy of American Honda Motor Co. via AP
