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The Subaru Outback vs. Jeep Wrangler. Two of the best cars that are fun to ride both on-road and off-road. However, it’s a difficult decision between them as they bring different aspects to the table. That’s why I decided to research which one is better than the other and provide the comparison for you!
The Jeep is made for off-road usage with higher ground clearance and a bigger engine, perfect for someone driving more off the road. Looking for a more well-balanced car that is fuel-efficient and equipped with a fancy interior, the Outback is the better choice.
Though the Jeep Wrangler is more made to be used on rough terrain, the surprisingly longer and lower Subaru Outback won’t be left in the dust. The Outback, with its all-wheel drive, is built for both off-road and on-road usage.
Outback vs. Wrangler
Straight of the box, you can drive the Wrangler off-road on the toughest of terrains; it’s a box-shaped adventurous beach buggy. The Wrangler is tougher than tough, comparable to the Land Rover’s, but honestly, it’s quite hard to categorize the Wrangler. It can’t be put down as an SUV or even a truck, so one can almost say that they are their kind of vehicle.
The Wrangler has become an iconic off-road car that we learned or saw in early 2000s movies where the popular kids jump in the back and drive off. The Wrangler compromises a lot of important factors such as everyday use, handling on-road, and not to mention its poor safety ratings. Plus, it only comes with four seats and not five like most cars.
Though those things are important, the Jeep Wrangler leaves them behind when it hits the joy rides off-roading. You can’t get anything else that comes straight out of the box more ready to be used, either going up a dune in the Sahara desert or driving on the countryside to a camping spot.
Over time, the Outback adapted from a station wagon to become a mid-sized SUV; however, it still takes inspiration from the wagon. The Outback drives like a sedan and has an SUV’s ground clearance to give a nifty height view. This design style makes the Outback a unique Subaru model, retaining its comfortability and versatility.
The Outback is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who want something fuel-efficient for the city and can take you out of the city for some adventurous times. Thanks to its all-wheel drive, it makes going off-road possible while retaining a sleek urban look.
Size Comparison
The two doors Jeep Wrangler has a length of 166.8 inches, a height of 73.6 inches, and a max width of 73.8 inches. The small size of the Jeep decreases the space a passenger has for their legs. The Jeeps legroom is in front 41.2 inches and at the back 35.7 inches.
The two doors Wrangler has one of the smallest cargo spaces on the market, making it not ideal for people who need that space for luggage or moving cargo a lot with their vehicle. The cargo space for the Wrangler is a total of 31.7 feet and as little as 12.9 cubic feet when the rear seats are upright.
The four-door Wrangler changes cargo space by significantly increasing the number to 31.7 cubic feet of space behind those rear seats and a big amount of 72.4 cubic feet when the seats are lowered. Massive change to the common two-door Wrangler that nearly doesn’t give you enough to take necessary amounts of luggage with you.
The Outback being a bit bigger lengthwise makes it have 42.8 inches of legroom in the first row of seats and 39.5 inches of space in the second row of seats. The cargo space for the Outback is 32.5 cubic feet, and with the back row seats down, that number becomes 75.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo space.
The Outback caters more to family-friendly sized cargo than the Wrangler two-door model, even surpassing the Wrangler 4 door in both categories. That would be an important part of their daily drive for some people, knowing that they can fit all their equipment in the back of their cars ready to go for work or a trip.
Engine comparison
The Wrangler comes base with a 3.6L V6 Gas-powered engine. The V6 produces a strong 285 horsepower @ 6400 rpm that can get you out of any ditch without a problem. The Wrangler comes at its baseline with a six-speed manual that creates 260 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm torque. The Wrangler has 17 city/ 25 highway miles per gallon fuel economy, as the V6 drinks its way through the smaller sized tank.
The Outback comes standard with its boxer 2.5L DOHC engine that can be upgraded to a turbocharged version that will give you 290 horsepower. The Outback has a 26 city/33 highway miles per gallon fuel efficiency, making it the more conventional choice to save fuel. The Outback comes standard with an all-wheel drive train.
Pros and Cons
The Wrangler is built more for off-roading purposes, designed with an iconic body. Its durability makes it perfect for people who want to use it mainly for adventurous reasons than a daily car. However, the Wrangler has a few problems that need to be considered, such as its low safety ratings, poor handling on the road, and its minimum space for passengers and luggage.
The Outback is made for both the road and to go off of it, as a perfect two in one car. It’s a lot more cost-effective both in purchasing price and fuel economy. It’s a practical car that can be used daily; it is ranked one of the highest in safety. It comes standard with loads of safety features and technology in the car, making it even more accessible to users’ personal needs.
The Outback, like all other cars, does have its drawbacks, like not coming with a turbocharged engine in the standard model. The Subaru Outback has no hybrid options to increase the fuel economy stats, like other rivals have, such as the Honda CRV.
Conclusion
The Outback would be the better choice between the two, especially if one wants to drive the vehicle daily. You would save on money not having to stop after every few hundred miles, filling up on gas, and driving back and forth between destinations to drop cargo.
The Wrangler seems to suit more the needs of individuals who know they won’t be traveling with many passengers or long distances in the city. The Wrangler is ideal for off-road use, designed for it rather than catering to city driving needs.
References:
https://www.newcars.com/reviews/jeep-wrangler-vs-subaru-outback-suv.html
https://www.carsguide.com.au/jeep/wrangler/vs/subaru-outback