Compare the2026 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain WagonVS 2026 Subaru Outback

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Outback doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Outback doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon offers an optional Post Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Outback doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Outback doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and Outback have rear cross-traffic warning, but the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Outback’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and the Outback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon weighs 593 to 834 pounds more than the Subaru Outback. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Outback’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Engine

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 195 more horsepower (375 vs. 180) and 191 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 178) than the Outback 2.5i’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 115 more horsepower (375 vs. 260) and 92 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 277) than the Outback XT/Wilderness’ standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon gets better mileage than the Outback:

			MPG
E-Class All-Terrain Wagon
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	22 city/31 hwy
Outback
	AWD	2.4 turbo flat-4	21 city/29 hwy
		Wilderness 2.4 turbo flat-4	21 city/27 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Outback doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon higher (6 out of 10) than the Subaru Outback (5 to 6). This means the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Outback every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Outback:

	E-Class All-Terrain Wagon	Outback
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	12.4 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	11.8 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outback (F:255/40R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. 225/65R17).

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Outback Wilderness’ standard 65 series tires. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s optional 255/40R20 front and 285/35R20 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Outback XT’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Outback Wilderness. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Outback XT.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Outback doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The front and rear suspension of the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Outback, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Outback doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Outback doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Outback doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s wheelbase is 8.5 inches longer than on the Outback (116.6 inches vs. 108.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Outback.

Chassis

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is 8.6 inches shorter in height than the Outback, making the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Cargo Capacity

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Outback doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outback’s (4600 vs. 2700 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outback uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Outback (except Premium), the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard easy entry and exit feature raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Outback doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Outback doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and the Outback have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outback prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outback can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access and Start standard on the Outback doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Outback’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Outback doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the Outback and aren't offered on the Premium/Limited.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Outback.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Outback Premium/Limited/Wilderness/Touring/Onyx.

The Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Subaru charges extra for Homelink® on the Outback.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes E-Class has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Outback.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outback doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Outback doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Mercedes E-Class comes in sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Subaru Outback isn’t available as a sedan.

Recommendations

Motor Trend selected the E-Class as their 2025 Car of the Year. The Outback has never been chosen.

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