Compare the2026 Subaru OutbackVS 2026 Genesis GV70

The Outback has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The GV70 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Subaru Outback’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Genesis GV70 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Outback and the GV70 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

There are almost 3 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Genesis dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Outback’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Genesis With 1 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Genesis.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Genesis is ranked 14th.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Outback lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The GV70 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Outback gets better mileage than the GV70:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Outback uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on Outback XT/Wilderness for maximum performance). The GV70 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Outback higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Genesis GV70 (4). This means the Outback produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GV70 every 15,000 miles.

The Outback has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The GV70 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Outback Wilderness has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the GV70; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

For better maneuverability, the Outback’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the GV70’s (36.5 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outback has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the GV70 (8.7 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Outback to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outback Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 2.2 inches higher than on the GV70 (9.5 vs. 7.3 inches).

The Subaru Outback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 600 pounds less than the Genesis GV70.

The front grille of the Outback uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GV70 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Outback has 8.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GV70 (112.3 vs. 103.6).

The Outback has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the GV70.

The Outback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the GV70 with its rear seat up (34.6 vs. 28.9 cubic feet). The Outback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GV70 with its rear seat folded (80.5 vs. 56.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Outback easier. The Outback’s trunk lift-over height is 28.3 inches, while the GV70’s liftover is 29.9 inches.

The Outback’s cargo area is larger than the GV70’s in every dimension:

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Outback uses the Vehicle Dynamics Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The GV70 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Genesis. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 62% lower rating, Genesis is ranked 29th.

The Outback offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The GV70 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Outback’s exterior PIN entry system. The GV70 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Connected Care can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Subaru Outback outsold the Genesis GV70 by almost six to one during 2024.