2025 Subaru Outback vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2025 Subaru Outback stood out in a dwindling field of wagons in the United States, embracing crossover trends with its rugged design elements like chunky wheel-arch flares and skid plate-inspired fascias. Its Crimson Red Pearl paint paired beautifully with the black leather interior, though earthy tones were deemed more fitting for its adventurous spirit. Subaru's focus on off-road capabilities paid off, as the Outback, along with the Crosstrek and Forester, became top sellers by appealing to a niche yet loyal segment of buyers. The 2025 model retained its practical design, with trims offering various upholstery options and features like a power moonroof and advanced driver-assist technologies. The interior was thoughtfully executed, with minimal use of chrome and glossy plastics, and featured easy-to-read gauges and a digital display providing essential driving information.

In contrast, the 2025 Land Rover Defender presented a rugged yet customizable appearance, with the Defender 110 four-door model striking a balance in design. The Defender's base prices ranged significantly, with the Defender OCTA model reaching a premium price point. Our test vehicle, the Defender 130 X, came equipped with the Extended Black Exterior Pack and off-roading technology, though its Gondwana Stone paint clashed with the orange brake calipers. The interior boasted premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, maintaining an industrial theme with quality materials. Despite its rugged exterior, the Defender's cabin was more purposeful than luxurious, offering a practical and spacious environment for occupants.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured a signature Boxer engine available in two forms: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 182 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine delivering 260 horsepower. Both engines operated with a CVT and standard AWD, with the turbocharged variant offering a more spirited drive. The Outback's 8.7 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode enhanced its off-road capabilities, while the Wilderness model further increased clearance to 9.5 inches. On the road, the Outback provided a smooth and comfortable ride, with light steering and powerful brakes. However, the stop/start technology and CVT's response during throttle transitions were noted as areas for improvement.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender's test vehicle was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, paired with a mild-hybrid system. The eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD system, along with adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 driving modes, ensured robust off-road performance. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and offered a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds. Despite its off-road prowess, the Defender's on-road handling was less agile, with its weight and steering limiting enthusiasm on twisty roads. The Defender's adaptive air suspension provided a comfortable ride, though the 20-inch wheels and Pirelli tires were not ideal for spirited driving.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's wagon shape offered practicality with easy entry and exit, a low roof height for loading, and a low center of gravity for agile handling. Its cargo space measured 32.6 cubic feet with the rear seat up and 75.6 cubic feet with the seat folded, providing a flat and square area for storage. The Outback's passenger volume of 109 cubic feet surpassed its crossover competitors, offering ample front headroom and legroom. Buyers were advised to test different trims, as the driving experience varied between models, and the turbocharged engine increased towing capacity to 3,500 pounds.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 provided three rows of spacious seating, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats offering heating and ventilation. The Defender's tall seating position and large windows ensured excellent visibility, though the side mirrors were undersized. The panoramic sunroof and glass panel over the third row created an open and airy feel. The Defender's cargo space was limited to 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 89 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, though a button allowed for lowering the air suspension to ease loading.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's technology package included an 11.6-inch touchscreen with large icons, though the Starlink infotainment system was slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity on most trims. The Harman Kardon audio system performed well, though navigational commands occasionally disrupted audio. The dashboard featured a mix of physical controls and touchscreen functions, with a CD player and USB ports catering to various device needs.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system on an 11.4-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The system's response and accuracy had improved, providing a more intuitive user experience. The Defender's Meridian sound system impressed, and additional features like a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and surround-view camera system enhanced convenience and safety. The Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system, further expanding the Defender's capabilities.

The 2025 Subaru Outback was equipped with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist technology, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The system's lane-centering feature required frequent corrections, but blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert performed well. The Outback earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender included driver aids such as automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. The system operated smoothly, though lane-keep assist occasionally misdirected the vehicle. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, as low-volume models like the Defender typically aren't tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.