2026 BMW X5 vs 2025 Subaru Outback

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 it arguably looked best in earthy tones. Subaru focused on appealing to adventurous buyers, a strategy that paid off as the Outback, along with the Crosstrek and Forester, became top sellers. The 2025 model saw no major changes, but the Limited trim gained features like a power moonroof and Subaru’s DriverFocus tech. The Touring XT trim offered Nappa leather and ventilated front seats, enhancing the interior's appeal with a balance of chrome and black plastic, and easy-to-read gauges.

The 2026 BMW X5 retained design elements from its original model, such as wide kidney grilles and sculpted bodywork, giving it a familiar yet appealing look. Our test vehicle, the X5 M60i, featured luxurious touches like Merino leather and carbon fiber trim, with a price tag of $109,200. The interior aimed for simplicity with a panoramic curved display and minimized controls, enhanced by metallic accents and ambient lighting. Despite its dark color scheme, the cabin felt anything but monotonous. The X5's quality was evident in its construction and materials, making it feel worth its price, especially at night with its illuminated features.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured a Boxer engine available in two forms: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine producing 260 hp. Both engines ran on regular unleaded gas and were paired with a CVT and standard AWD. The turbocharged engine offered better acceleration, making the XT model a recommended choice for those who could afford the upgrade. The Outback excelled off-road with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and Subaru’s X-Mode, while the Wilderness model offered even more capability. On the road, the Outback was smooth and comfortable, though its stop/start technology and CVT had some drawbacks.

The 2026 BMW X5 M60i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, delivering 532 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, with xDrive AWD ensuring power reached the ground effectively. Fuel efficiency varied, with an EPA rating of 19 mpg and observed figures between 16.4 and 21.1 mpg. The X5 M60i's dynamic M Adaptive suspension provided a firm ride, while its M Sport brakes and performance tires offered confidence. Around town, it was docile and quiet, though road noise from the tires was occasionally intrusive. The X5 wasn't equipped for off-roading but offered impressive towing capacity.

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 quick direction changes. It provided 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat up and 75.6 cubic feet with it folded, with a flat floor and square shape maximizing usability. The Outback's total passenger volume of 109 cubic feet surpassed its crossover competition, though the rear seat was slightly smaller. Buyers were advised to test different trims, as they drove differently, and note the towing capacity increase with the turbocharged engine.

The 2026 BMW X5 accommodated five passengers with comfortable front seats offering numerous adjustments, including heating and ventilation. The test car's four-zone climate control was less effective at traffic lights due to the engine start/stop system. Rear-seat comfort was acceptable, with good headroom but less leg support. The X5 offered hidden storage with secure liners and a split-opening power liftgate for convenience. It provided 33.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 72.3 cubic feet with the seat folded, though the cargo cover limited full-size suitcase placement.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's technology package included an 11.6-inch touchscreen with large icons but a slow Starlink infotainment system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, with wireless functionality except on the base model. The Harman Kardon audio system was effective, though Starlink disturbances limited audio to rear speakers. The dashboard featured a mix of physical controls and touchscreen functions, with a CD player and USB ports catering to older tech preferences.

The 2026 BMW X5 featured a BMW Curved Display with a 12.3-inch digital panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen. The iDrive 8.5 infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and connected services. A digital assistant was available, though it required disconnecting smartphones for full functionality. The Bowers & Wilkins audio system offered phenomenal sound. The infotainment screen had numerous menus, best explored when stationary, but was easy to navigate when focused.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured EyeSight driver-assist technology with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and more. The system kept the Outback in its lane but with more movement than desired. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Outback earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 BMW X5 offered standard safety features like high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, and more. The optional Driving Assistance Professional Package included adaptive cruise control and hands-free driving. The X5's safety tech performed well, though lane-keep and lane-centering features were less effective off highways. The X5 received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.