2026 Subaru Outback vs Honda Passport: If you want a two row SUV that can handle a road trip a snowy morning a dirt trail and the daily school run two name deserve a serious look in 2026 the Subaru Outback and Honda Passport.
For years, these two occupied slightly different corners of the market. The Outback was the outdoorsy wagon pretending it wasn’t an SUV, while the Passport was the conventional midsize SUV for buyers who wanted more space and a stronger engine.
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Making that distinction is becoming more difficult.
For 2026 both model underwent redesign with the new Outback adopting a considerably more upright, squared off SUV shape. When you place it next to the passport, the two appear to be direct competitor.
However there is still one significant distinction: money.
The Honda Passport starts at about $46,200 while the Subaru start at about $36,400. Before you start adding option that’s a difference of around $10,000.
So, is the Honda truly worth the higher price?
Or is the Outback a better option for the majority of families?
Let’s dissect it.
2026 Subaru Outback vs. Honda Passport at a glance
Before getting into the details here’s the quick comparison:
| Feature | 2026 Subaru Outback | 2026 Honda Passport |
| Base engine | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 3.5L V6 |
| Available engine | 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder | 3.5L V6 |
| Maximum horsepower | 260 hp | 285 hp |
| Maximum towing | 3,500 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| Combined fuel economy | About 23–27 mpg | About 20–21 mpg |
| Ground clearance | Up to 9.5 inches | 8.3 inches |
| Maximum cargo volume | 80.5 cu. ft. | 83.0 cu. ft. |
| AWD | Standard | Standard |
| Starting price | About $36,400 | About $46,200 |
On paper the Passport has the advantage in horsepower towing and maximum cargo space.
The Outback counters with a lower price better fuel economy and greater ground clearance.
And that’s where this comparison gets interesting.
The Outback is no longer the odd one out
The biggest change for 2026 isn’t actually under the hood.
It’s the look of the Outback.
That distinctive wagon-like appearance was a feature of the previous generation vehicle. Even tho it was tougher than most crossovers and taller than a typical wagon, it nevertheless had an Outback appearance.
The new model is considerably more upright.
It resembles a conventional SUV in appearance and is higher and squarer. This is significant because purchasers may now view the Outback as a legitimate Passport substitute, even if they had previously disregarded it because to its form.
Additionally Subaru hasn’t discarded what made the Outback so well-liked.
Strong ground clearance, standard all-wheel drive and the brand outdoor-focused esthetic are all retained in the new model.
To put it another way Subaru improved the Outback appearance while maintaining its strong points.
Honda Passport wins the horsepower battle
The Honda Passport has the engine advantage, let’s face it.
A 3.5 liter V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque power every 2026 Passport. It is equip with Honda i-VTM4 all wheel drive system and a 10 speed automatic transmission.
A smaller four cylinder variant is not available.
There’s no hybrid.
There’s just one naturally aspirated V6.
That’s actually refreshing if you like the simplicity and predictable response of a traditional engine.
The Passport feels particularly well suited to highway driving. If you’re carrying passengers, luggage and a trailer having 285 horsepower available is useful.
The Outback takes a different approach.
180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque are produced by its base 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder engine. No one will find it interesting, but that is sufficient for daily driving.
Thankfully Subaru’s higher trim level such as the Wilderness and XT models, come with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.
That engine generate 277 lb-ft of torque and 260 horsepower.
And there is a discernible difference.
Before choosing an Outback, we highly advise you to test drive both the base engine and the turbo. When passing traffic, merging onto highways, or carrying a full load, the turbo model feels far more at ease.
Still, Honda wins this category.
Winner: Honda Passport
If outright power matters to you, the Passport is the easy choice.
Towing is another clear win for Honda
This is where the Outback and the Passport diverge.
Up to 5,000 pound can be towed by the Honda.
Turbocharged model can weigh up to 3,500 pound while the basic Outback can weigh up to 2,700 pounds.
That is a significant distinction.
The Passport should be given careful thot if your weekend plans involve a boat, a larger camper, a utility trailer, or recreational equipment.
The Outback can certainly tow. It’s just not designed to compete with the Passport in this particular area.
Think about what you actually need rather than what sound impressive on a specification sheet.
If you will never tow more than a small utility trailer paying thousand more for the Passport extra capacity may not make much sense.
If you regularly tow a substantial trailer, however, the Honda’s 5,000 pound rating could be worth every dollar.
Winner: Honda Passport
The Subaru is much easier on fuel
Here’s where the Outback starts clawing back ground.
The base Outback is rated at roughly 25 mpg city and 31 mpg highway while turbocharged versions remain reasonably efficient for a vehicle with this much capability.
Across the lineup combined fuel economy sits roughly in the 23–27 mpg range depending on configuration.
The Passport isn’t terrible, but it isn’t particularly frugal either.
The V6 Passport is rated around 20–21 mpg combined, with the TrailSport versions landing toward the lower end because of their more aggressive all-terrain tires.
That difference may not seem huge when you’re looking at a dealership sticker.
It becomes much more noticeable after several years of commuting and road trips.
For drivers who cover a lot of miles, the Outback’s fuel advantage can add up.
And remember that the Subaru is also considerably cheaper to purchase.
That’s a double win for the Outback when running costs are part of the equation.
Winner: Subaru Outback
Which one has more room?
This one is surprisingly close.
The Passport’s interior is physically larger, with around 41.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the second row and approximately 83 cubic feet when the rear seat is folded.
The Outback can accommodate up to 80.5 cubic feet when the seat are folded and about 34.6 cubic feet behind the second row.
Honda has the number, then.
The Outback isn’t particularly small, tho.
The Subaru now has a more upright shape thank to the revamp which makes it feel more like an SUV when driving.
Both offer plenty of practical capacity for families transporting luggage, sports equipment, camping supplies or shopping.
If maximum cargo capacity is your priority Honda has the edge.
For normal family use, the difference probably isn’t large enough to make the decision by itself.
Winner: Honda Passport
The Outback has the ground-clearance advantage
This is one of the most interesting parts of the comparison.
The Outback offers up to 9.5 inches of ground clearance.
The size of the passport is approximately 8.3 inches.
This provides the Subaru an advantage when it comes to deep snow, uneven tracks, boulders, and poor access roads, but it doesn’t automatically make it a better off road vehicle.
Additionally Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and X-Mode are standard on Subaru Outback models.
With a more aggressive setup intended for drivers who genuinely intend to abandon the pavement, the Wilderness trim goes one step further.
In contrast Honda’s Passport TrailSport is a real deal.
It is equipped with serious gear such as skid protection, all-terrain tires updated suspension tuning, and other off-pavement driving-specific characteristics.
So which one is better off-road?
That’s more complicated than simply comparing ground clearance.
The Passport has the stronger engine and excellent traction hardware.
The Outback has more clearance and a long history of being comfortable in difficult weather and rough terrain.
For a genuine trail adventure the Passport TrailSport makes a strong case.
For snow-covered roads, forest roads, camping trips and general outdoor use, the Outback is hard to beat.
Winner: Tie, depending on the terrain
Interior technology is finally a strength for Subaru
Subaru interiors haven’t always been the main reason to buy the vehicle.
That changes with the redesigned Outback.
The 2026 model feature a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.1-inch touchscreen running Google’s Android Automotive-based software.
Better yet Subaru didn’t completely abandon physical controls.
There are still buttons and knobs for important climate functions, which is a welcome decision if you dislike digging through menus while driving.
The Passport also has a well designed cabin.
It’s quieter, spacious and feel more upscale than previous version. Honda has clear put effort into making the Passport feel like a proper premium family SUV rather than simply a larger CR-V.
This category comes down to personal taste.
The Honda feels more polished.
The Subaru offers plenty of technology while keeping some of the controls straightforward.
Winner: Slight edge to Honda for cabin refinement
Safety and driver assistance
Both vehicles are aimed heavily at families, so safety technology matters.
While Honda has its own set of active safety and driver-assistance systems, Subaru’s new EyeSight system is included with the Outback.
For many consumers this is more about knowing what each trim contains than it is about picking a winner.
It is crucial to keep in mind that safety equipment can differ depending on the model year and trim.
Compare the precise trim levels when purchasing one of these cars instead of assuming that every model has the same equipment.
The price difference changes everything
This may be the biggest reason the Outback wins this comparison.
The Outback start at about $36,400.
The Passport start at about $46,200.
That represent a roughly $10,000 discrepancy.
Furthermore spending $10,000 doesn’t immediately make the Honda better in every aspect.
It’s more powerful.
It can tow significantly more.
It has slightly more cargo capacity.
However the Outback is far less expensive and comes with standard all-wheel drive, more ground clearance, improved fuel economy, and a ton of technology.
Looking at higher trims makes the gap much more intriguing.
You can use the money you save on other priorities since a well-equipped Outback can cost about the same as a mid-level Passport.
Insurance, fuel, accessories, tires, camping gear, or just keeping the money in your bank account could all go under this category.
Our conclusion: For the majority of individuals, the Outback makes more sense.
A great SUV is the Honda Passport.
That is undeniable.
Its V6 engine is powerful, its cabin is cozy, its storage space is practical and the TrailSport offers customers real off-road prowess.
However, the most powerful car does not always win this competition.
The 2026 Subaru Outback is the better option overall for the majority of purchasers.
The main explanation is straightforward: for a significantly lower cost, it fulfills nearly every necessity of the typical family.
Standard all-wheel drive, outstanding ground clearance, a large load capacity, improved fuel economy, and the choice of a potent turbocharged engine are all included.
And you don’t have to spend $46,000-plus to get into one.
When your needs become more particular, the passport becomes the superior option.
The Honda’s 5,000 pound rating is a significant benefit if you’re hauling a large trailer. Its additional strength and room can also make up for the higher cost if you’re transporting a large number of passenger and equipment or frequently traveling on challenging treks.
However, we would save money and pick the Outback if your normal week consists more of commuting, grocery shopping, school runs, and the rare mountain retreat.
It’s not the more ostentatious solution.
It’s just the most logical choice.
FAQs
Q: Is the Outback more fuel efficient than the Honda Passport?
A: Yes Depend on the trim and powertrain the Outback deliver roughly 23–27 mpg combine. The Passport is rated around 20–21 mpg combine.
Q: Which has more cargo space?
A: The Honda Passport has slightly more maximum cargo capacity with approximately 83 cubic feet behind the front seats. The Outback provide about 80.5 cubic feet.
Q: Is the Outback good for off roading?
A: Yes. The Outback’s available Wilderness trim is particularly well suited to rough roads and trail. Its high ground clearance all wheel drive and off road-oriented equipment make it a capable adventure vehicle.
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