2024 BMW X5 vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2024 BMW X5, last redesigned in 2019, maintained a timeless appeal, though the M Sport treatment was not universally loved, giving it a station wagon-like appearance. Our test vehicle featured the optional 21-inch “741M” wheels with staggered-width summer tires, which were a worthwhile upgrade despite the potential cost of tire replacement. The X5 offered a range of powertrains, including a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, a turbo-six PHEV powertrain, and a turbocharged V8 engine, with the high-performance X5 M Competition variant. The xDrive50e M Sport model we tested came with Brooklyn Grey paint, optional 21-inch wheels, and all available equipment packages, with an MSRP of $88,075. The 2024 model received a light styling refresh, aligning it with other BMW models, and introduced the BMW Curved Display, modernizing the interior while retaining high-quality materials and construction.

The 2024 Subaru Outback, particularly in the Wilderness trim, received a new front fascia and LED fog lights, while the rest of the lineup retained its 2023 facelift appearance. The dark gray cladding contrasted nicely with the Autumn Green Metallic of our Touring XT tester, creating an appealing color combination. The Outback trims varied in black and chrome exterior fittings, with the Touring trim featuring tasteful chrome accents. Wheel sizes and designs differed by trim, with the Wilderness trim getting matte black wheels. The interior of our top-trim test car was impressive, with Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery providing a luxurious feel. The Outback Limited featured standard leather seating, while the Onyx Edition and Wilderness trims had Subaru’s StarTex synthetic leather, and the Base and Premium trims came with cloth seats.

The 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e PHEV featured a new mild-hybrid six-cylinder engine and a more powerful electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. With a 19.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, it offered 38 miles of electric-only driving and 22 mpg in combined driving. The xDrive50e produced 483 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The PHEV was praised for its adaptive damping air suspension, excellent handling, and impressive fuel economy, achieving 38.8 mpg during a 95.5-mile evaluation drive. The X5 PHEV was recommended for those seeking a balance of performance and efficiency, with the option to maximize electric driving using a Level 2 home charging station.

The 2024 Subaru Outback was powered by a “Boxer” horizontally opposed engine, with the base model featuring a 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, were equipped with a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, and increasing towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. The Touring XT test car had the more powerful engine, providing a better fit for the vehicle’s weight. The CVT mimicked the sound and feel of eight distinct gears, and the brake pedal felt responsive. The Outback offered a comfortable ride, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and the Wilderness trim increased it to 9.2 inches, featuring all-terrain tires and an advanced X-Mode for off-road adventures.

The 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e offered a spacious interior with room for five people and a 33.1 cubic-foot cargo area, expandable to 71.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The split liftgate design provided a convenient seating area but required stretching to reach deep cargo. The test vehicle featured BMW’s Sensafin artificial leather upholstery, standard sport seats, and the Climate Comfort Package, which included 20-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, four-zone automatic climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. The X5 no longer offered an optional third-row seat, requiring a step up to the BMW X7 for that feature.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered generous interior space, with more front-row headroom and legroom than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The cargo area measured 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place and 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Outback featured dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat starting with the Premium trim. The Limited trim added a powered front passenger seat and heated rear seats. The Touring trim offered ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with a hands-free power liftgate and power moonroof available on higher trims. The Outback’s raised roof rails with retractable cross bars provided additional utility.

The 2024 BMW X5 featured the BMW Curved Display, combining a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel with a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system ran BMW Operating System 8.5, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, connected services, and over-the-air updates. The test vehicle included a Harman Kardon sound system, but the Intelligent Personal Assistant had issues with voice recognition, leading to inaccurate navigation results. The head-up display effectively conveyed data, and the augmented video function for navigation was a useful feature, though reliant on accurate directions from the assistant.

The 2024 Subaru Outback Touring featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen, with the base trim retaining a dual-7-inch-screen system. The Subaru Starlink multimedia platform included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless connectivity starting with the Premium trim. The climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with hard buttons for defoggers and temperature adjustments. Wi-Fi capability was available on all but the base trim, and most trims featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Outback offered a mix of USB-C and USB-A ports, with a CD player available on the Touring trim.

The 2024 BMW X5 introduced the Highway Assistant hands-free driving assistance system, which required deliberate activation and worked best in dense or light traffic. The system occasionally engaged brakes without cause, but overall, the driver aids operated subtly and effectively. The X5 received high ratings from the IIHS, though lower headlight ratings prevented an award. The NHTSA gave the X5 a four-star overall crash-test rating.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Outback featured the EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, and automatic emergency steering. Reverse automatic braking became standard on the Onyx trim, and the Touring trim added a wide-angle camera, digital rearview mirror, and driver-attention monitor. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on the Onyx Edition.