Subaru

The 2026 Subaru Outback and 2026 Toyota RAV4 have been unveiled, and we have enough information about these crossovers to highlight their distinct approaches to the SUV segment. Previously, the Outback and RAV4 were top competitors within the compact crossover SUV class; however, Subaru’s new Outback introduces a two-row midsize SUV body style featuring a sleeker interior and increased tech value. Toyota’s RAV4 is also hitting the refresh button for its 2026 model year with an exclusively hybrid lineup and updated exterior. We’re just scratching the surface of what the 2026 Outback and 2026 RAV4 bring to the table. With their releases right around the corner, let’s take a closer look at what to expect from each model.

Toyota

While the Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4 have undergone changes, the former continues to embody a rugged design that enhances off-roading, and the latter still leans toward urban efficiency. Each 2026 Outback comes equipped with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and X-Mode with Hill Descent Control, which optimizes the AWD system for challenging terrain. The two Outback variants' engine choices include a base 2.5-liter option producing 180 horsepower, or a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine delivering 260 horsepower. Subaru continues to equip the Outback with quality ground clearance, measuring 8.7 inches on all trims — except the Wilderness, which features 9.5 inches of ground clearance — a raised suspension, and electronically controlled dampers.

In contrast, the 2026 RAV4 offers front-wheel drive (FWD) and AWD drivetrains, with standard AWD in trims like the mid-range Woodland and upper trims like the GR-Sport. The 2026 RAV4 hybrid produces 226 combined horsepower in FWD and 236 maximum horsepower in AWD, while its PHEV counterpart boasts up to 320 horsepower. A 2026 RAV4 PHEV can go from 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds. Official details on a hybrid variant for the new Outback are still pending, but it appears that Subaru’s working toward a 2026 release after the standard version hits dealerships later this year. The 2026 RAV4 will offer its exclusively hybrid lineup from the start, coinciding with the standard 2026 Outback’s release. Fuel economy figures for both models have not yet been released.

Subaru

The 2026 Outback’s redesign introduces a more conventional SUV exterior, striking a balance between adventure and daily drives. These changes include a taller and boxier look, a larger and more upright grille, and increased overall dimensions. The new Outback’s length and width have increased by just over an inch to 192.3 inches and 75.8 inches, respectively, while its height without roof rails — which can be added with an available heavy-duty option — has risen by two inches to 68.1 inches. In the new Outback’s front, you’ll also find a lower front fascia with improved scratch resistance and aerodynamics. For the first time, Subaru is offering 19-inch wheels on the Outback as a factory option. 

Toyota

As previously highlighted, the new Outback has expanded into midsize territory, while the RAV4 has retained its compact classification, with some dimensions unchanged from 2025, including an overall length of 180.9 inches. Width for the 2026 RAV4 ranges from 73-74 inches, and height spans 66.4-67.8 inches. This Toyota’s front grille is less aggressive than its rival’s, but RAV4 fans looking to mirror elements of the 2026 Outback, such as the model’s more pronounced cladding and bolder front grille, can opt for trims such as the RAV4 Sport.

Subaru has added more advanced available features to the 2026 Outback’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite. These features include Hands-Free Driving Assist, Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection, and Lane Change Assist. Hands-Free Driving Assist aims to reduce driver fatigue at highway speeds while providing automatic slowdowns ahead of curves. Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection automatically pulls over the 2026 Outback and stops if a driver isn’t responsive, and Lane Change Assist completes lane changes autonomously when a turn signal is active during hands-free driving. Subaru also added a 12.1-inch center touchscreen that’s 1.6 inches larger than the RAV4’s standard touchscreen, but the RAV4’s available touchscreen is 12.9 inches.

Subaru

Both the 2026 Outback and 2026 RAV4 redesigns feature boxier exteriors, but there are several key differences worth noting. The 2026 Outback is now a midsize SUV with increased practicality in areas like driver-assist tech, and drivers still receive standard AWD on each trim. In contrast, the 2026 RAV4 is exclusively hybrid for the first time, with PHEV options to boot, while retaining its compact classification. Those who are patient enough can wait for Subaru to release the hybrid Outback, but you won’t have to stand by until 2026 for the new RAV4 hybrid. Be sure to test drive each vehicle before deciding one way or the other.

Since time immemorial, for a vehicle to qualify as a "true pickup truck" in the minds of many meant it had to sit on a ladder-frame chassis, which typically affords greater ruggedness, ease of repair, and thus longevity. This also meant that a pickup truck's bed could be separate from its cabin, mounted directly onto the frame, allowing for greater payload capacity.

More recently, however, it seems that the market has come around to pickup trucks on unibody platforms. Notable examples, such as the Honda Ridgeline, the Ford Maverick, and the Hyundai Santa Cruz, represent popular examples of car-based pickup trucks that still offer commendable capability for buyers who don't require the overkill toughness of older-school trucks. What many people have forgotten, however, is that Subaru—in a moment way ahead of its time—offered buyers a unibody, car-based pickup truck in the mid-2000s: the Subaru Baja. Despite its relative lack of popularity in its day, it seems to me that if Subaru were to offer the same package today, the Japanese automaker would have a much easier time moving them off of showroom floors.

The Subaru Baja, which Subaru sold in North America from 2002 until 2006, was essentially a Subaru Outback with its wagon boot swapped out for a small pickup truck bed. Marketed as a "multiple choice vehicle," the Baja offered the Outback's combination of comfort and ruggedness with added capability for adventurous lifestyles. Want to throw a surfboard onto the roof racks and a few bikes in the bed? "You got it!" said Subaru, probably.

Subaru Baja

Although it shared most of its parts with a station wagon, Subaru offered accessories such as roof-mounted lamps, folding bed extenders, and other equipment that you'd find available on larger, more expensive pickup trucks like Toyota Tacomas and Ford Rangers. Although it lacked consumer appeal at the time, selling just 30,000ish units during its entire production period despite Subaru's initial prediction of more than 20,000 sales per year, the Subaru Baja was well-regarded by critics. It garnered accolades from reputable critics, including J.D. Power and Consumer Reports, for its excellent well-roundedness and top-notch reliability. Still, after its 2006 model year, the Subaru Baja was discontinued with no replacement in sight. I think it's time for the Baja to make a triumphant return.

Cole Attisha Using Midjourney 7.0 & Gemini 2.5 Flash Image

For a Subaru Baja revival, I genuinely believe that Subaru could replicate the same recipe it used previously and find much greater success than before. That is, Subaru could essentially take its upcoming 2026 Subaru Outback, which is already much larger and more potent than it was in the mid-2000s (albeit with more controversially aggressive design language), and replace its wagon-ish tailgate with a pickup truck bed sized to out-gun rivals such as the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. Although the 2026 Subaru Outback's styling has been heavily criticized for its departure from the more restrained and understated aesthetic the model has long been lauded for, its styling actually lends pretty well to a pickup-style variant, and so I can't help but wonder if Subaru has secret plans to revive the long-lost Baja after all.

A revived Baja could add other exterior elements, such as rear bumper-mounted steps (as shown above, if you look closely), and altered taillights to accommodate its folding tailgate. Otherwise, under the skin, it would likely share the majority of its components with the contemporary Subaru Outback, just as the previous Baja did. This would mean that the revived Baja could offer buyers a choice between the efficient 180-horsepower 2.5-liter Boxer flat-four engine or the mighty, turbocharged 260-horsepower 2.4-liter Boxer flat-four found in XT trims.

Perhaps it might be possible to also offer a similar powertrain to what's found in the new Subaru Forester Hybrid, which pairs Toyota-sourced battery tech with Subaru's trusty 2.5-liter four-cylinder and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, and could make for solid competition against the Ford Maverick Hybrid. All models would likely offer Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment, as well as a continuously variable transmission (CVT). However, I'd personally love to see the return of a manual gearbox offering, as the previous Baja once offered, but that's certainly wishful thinking.

2026 Subaru Outback

Although the 2003-2006 Subaru Baja wasn't such a hot seller during its time, it has since become a coveted cult classic, with well-kept examples fetching pricey premiums on enthusiast auction sites like Bring a Trailer and Cars & Bids. Now that compact, unibody pickup trucks are seen as acceptable by North American buyers more than ever before, with the popularity of the Ford Maverick setting a tremendous precedent that has opened the floodgates for other automakers, it seems like there's never been a better time for Subaru to try its hand once again at selling a truck-ified Outback. Playing off the pedigree of the Subaru Baja, and even the quirky Subaru BRAT that came well before it, Subaru could have a real winner on its hands here. So, I leave it to you, Subaru, but I believe a revived Baja could be a serious breadwinner in your contemporary model lineup.

According to a statement released by Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA), the North American facility responsible for production of Subaru's Ascent, Crosstrek, and Outback models, the absolute final unit of the Subaru Legacy sedan has rolled off the assembly line, wrapping 36 years of U.S. production.

Per the factory, the last Legacy was a mid-grade Limited trim finished in Magnetite Gray, which was driven off the assembly line on Friday, September 12, shortly after 3 p.m. Eastern time. In a statement to Automotive News, a plant spokesperson said that the last car was the 1,398,994th Legacy built at the plant, and that the plant built 1,056,056 sedans and 342,938 wagons over its three-plus decades of production.

Subaru

Opened as a joint venture with fellow Japanese automaker Isuzu, Subaru's Indiana plant produced many models for both brands over the years, including a small pickup named the Isuzu Rodeo SUV and the Rodeo-based Honda Passport. After Izuzu left the joint venture in 2002, Toyota began producing Camrys at the plant from 2007 until May 2016.

In a statement, Scott Brand, COO of Subaru of Indiana Automotive, said that the conclusion of Legacy production is a "bittersweet moment" for both Subaru and the factory, as it represents the conclusion of one chapter in Subaru's history and the beginning of another.

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Following the conclusion of the Legacy, U.S. production of the Outback will end in October. SIA will then transition to begin U.S. production of the Subaru Forester in October and the Forester Hybrid in spring 2026.

"We're excited for what lies ahead," said Brand. "Bringing gas-powered and hybrid Forester production to the U.S. will provide quicker market response for one of Subaru's most popular models, while also introducing hybrid processes and technology into our operations."

Subaru

Born with a fitting name in 1989, the Legacy midsize sedan established Subaru's legacy in the eyes of owners and enthusiasts. It was the automaker's first model produced in the United States and the inaugural model produced at the brand's Indiana production plant. 

Though Legacy production remained as Subaru cycled through the production of several models at the plant, sales of the sedan slumped as consumers turned to the brand's crossover and SUV offerings, citing it as the reason for the nameplate's retirement back in 2024.

"Though the Legacy is the longest-running Subaru model line, its discontinuation reflects market shifts from passenger cars to SUVs and crossovers and Subaru’s transition to electrified and fully electric vehicles," Subaru said in a statement last year.

Across the span of six generations, over 1.3 million Legacy sedans have been sold in the United States and have been lauded by critics and satisfied Subaru owners for their trusty all-wheel-drive capabilities, safety features, and near-bulletproof reliability. 

The Subaru Legacy was also known for its service as a rally car for Subaru's World Rally Championship team. In the 1993 edition of Rally New Zealand, Scottish rally driver Colin McRae piloted a specially-prepared Legacy to the first of many rally victories throughout his career with Subaru.

As part of a Subaru-owning family, it is a bit sad to see the Legacy go, as it would whittle down the choice of four-door sedans on the Pleiades-star brand's U.S. lineup down to just one: the WRX. However, I do feel that this decision, which was made months prior to the inauguration of President Trump, will only help Subaru avoid the brunt of the current tariff situation, especially as Forester production will take place at the Indiana factory very soon.

Subaru is cranking up its performance lineup with the unveiling of two exclusive special editions: the 2026 Subaru WRX Series.Yellow and the 2026 Subaru BRZ Series.Yellow. These bright yellow machines are extremely rare, with only 350 units produced for each model. They pay tribute to Subaru's legendary rally heritage, combining classic motorsport DNA with modern technology and performance upgrades tailored for track and street. Blink, and you'll miss your chance to own one of these iconic beauties, both based on their high-performance tS trims.

Subaru spares no effort with the limited-edition WRX Series.Yellow, built on its legendary symmetrical all-wheel-drive system that guarantees precise handling in any conditions. It packs a turbocharged 2.4-liter Boxer engine belting out 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The car features adjustable dampers tuned by Subaru Tecnica International (STI) for smooth, adaptable performance.

Rolling on 19-inch matte black wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires for maximum grip, the WRX Series.Yellow delivers intense driving experiences. Inside, Recaro Performance Design front seats feature yellow stitching and perforated details, while the cabin boasts an 11.6-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

The rear-wheel-drive BRZ Series.Yellow targets purists craving immaculate balance and precision at an accessible price point. It's powered by a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter Boxer engine producing 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. Neither limited-edition model offers automatic transmission.

The BRZ Series.Yellow delivers precise handling through STI-tuned Hitachi front and rear dampers that enhance stability. Brembo brakes and 18-inch matte black wheels wrapped in high-grip Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires complete the performance package. The cabin features black upholstery accented by vibrant yellow stitching on front seats, plus leather-wrapped steering wheel, shifter boot, and parking brake boot.

Subaru will soon reveal pricing for both the WRX Series.Yellow and Subaru BRZ Series.Yellow models.

Here at Autoblog, we love manual transmission cars. Call us old school. Roping your own gears might seem like labor to some, but it’s a labor of love for those of us who desire to have the ultimate control and connection to the vehicle and to the road. Though their numbers are shrinking, manual transmission cars retain an outsized cultural and enthusiast impact. For example, both the BMW Z4 and the Toyota Supra received manual transmissions long after their release, largely due to the outcry of enthusiasts.

Honda

On the flipside, sporty cars like the new Honda Prelude won’t even offer one. It’s a fight that’s worth fighting, in our opinion. In this article, we’ll explore the best-selling manual transmission cars and why they are still hanging on despite market trends. Although there aren't specific statistics that accurately track the number of manual transmission variants sold every year, we can deduce the top movers in the category based on overall sales volumes and manufacturer input.

The decline of manual transmissions is nothing new, as it has been happening for decades; however, the statistics are still shocking. Back in the early 1980s, about a third of all new cars sold in the U.S. came with a manual transmission. Fast forward to 2010, and that number had already plunged to just 3.4%. By 2020, stick shifts had nearly disappeared from dealership lots, making up only about 1.5% of new car sales.

Lower-priced economy cars, such as the Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla sedans, which once offered stick-shifts, have ditched them. The reason is simple: buyers at this price point overwhelmingly choose automatics, leaving little incentive for manufacturers to maintain a manual version that sells in paltry percentages.

At the same time, performance cars and enthusiast models have stepped into the gap, with manuals becoming less about affordability and more about driver engagement. Some models charge more for three pedals than for a slushbox. For example, if you want your 2025 BMW Z4 with a manual transmission, you have to get the $3,500 Edition Handschalter Package. Today, if you’re buying a car with a clutch pedal, it’s likely because you want the experience, not because you’re trying to save money on your car purchase. Here are the best-selling models that still have manuals.

Honda

Among mainstream cars, few names resonate as strongly as the Honda Civic. For decades, it’s been the most prominent example of a model line that still embraces the manual transmission, particularly in its enthusiast trims. For 2025, you can no longer get the manual for the regular line of Civics, but you can still get it for the two performance variants, the Si and the Type R. The 200-horsepower Civic Si ($32,415) provides an affordable sport sedan option with a six-speed manual. The more intense and more expensive Civic Type R ($47,090) makes 315 horsepower from its potent 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Honda

In 2024, Honda sold about 242,005 Civics in the U.S. It's currently one of the ten best-selling vehicles in America, and of the Civics sold in 2024, 7.2% were manual transmission versions, which amounts to roughly 17,424 units. That's only a couple of thousand less than the total number of Lexus IS sports sedans sold in the same year. In 2023, more than half of Civic Si sales were stick, and over 23% of Type R sales were sold with manual transmissions.

Zac Palmer

The Civic line, thanks to its handsome redesign, safety, versatility, and strong sales volume, likely accounts for one of the highest totals of manual transmission sales in the U.S. market today. For buyers who want modern reliability wrapped in a performance-oriented package, the Civic remains one of the strongest manual offerings.

Volkswagen

Sadly, we can't put the VW Golf GTI on this list simply because it's not available with a manual transmission in 2025. Another volume leader for sticks is still a Volkswagen, though, namely the Jetta GLI variant for $33,215. While many compact sedans have abandoned the stick, the GLI is beloved for its blend of affordability, practicality, and sporty driving dynamics. It's powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. That's not as much as the 241-horsepower Golf GTI, but the sacrifice in power to keep the manual seems well worth it.

VW sold a total of 71,829 units in 2024, including the GLI. That's a lot of cars. There are no GLI stats, but if it accounted for just 10% of the total, that would equate to over 7,000 units moved. It's not as fierce or as taut as the Golf GTI, but the Jetta GLI still thrills. Its manual option appeals to mature buyers who still want engagement without the somewhat juvenile-looking hatchback style and without the steep price tag that premium brands require. Volkswagen’s decision to keep the manual alive in the Jetta GLI highlights the brand’s recognition that some enthusiasts desire a great balance of connection and practicality in everyday driving.

Subaru’s rally car-based model continues to be available with a manual transmission, despite the top trim GT being equipped with a CVT. While its redesign has been contentious, there's no question that the WRX in manual form still sells remarkably well. The WRX is one of only two standard all-wheel drive, manual transmission cars left, with the Toyota GR Corolla being the other. The manual gearbox helps preserve its appeal among drivers who want a practical four-door daily driver that can also thrill on a twisty road. It's also a serious blast in the snow, perhaps its best environment. Under the hood, all WRXs are powered by a 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine that produces 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

The WRX may not sell in Civic-like numbers, but it continues to be a serious player in its segment Subaru sold almost 22,000 WRXs in 2024, and about 83% of them were manuals. That amounts to over 18,000 manual transmission WRXs sold last year, which is a huge amount and certainly reflective of the enthusiast bent towards a three-pedal setup. The WRX doesn't have an STI trim anymore, but it did deliver two sharper trims, the TR and the tS, both of which are available with the manual transmission. It's not known if the next-generation WRX will still get a stick or if it will even be gas-powered at all. The rumor mill says it could be electrified, and that would be a crying shame for enthusiasts of the purist-friendly WRX.

Ford

It would be wrong to make this list without the American icon that is the Ford Mustang. Rear-wheel drive muscle paired with a six-speed manual knows no other name in 2025, and the V8 GT and Dark Horse trims get that option. While automatics dominate overall Mustang sales, the manual is still a critical part of its identity. We applaud Ford for continuing to build it with a stick shift.

2025 models offer a 315-horsepower 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, a 480-horsepower 5.0L V8 in the GT, and 500 hp from the 5.0L V8 in the Dark Horse. Though its manual sales are modest compared to automatics, the Mustang remains one of the most visible and best-selling stick-shift cars in America. Although sales are down, the Mustang still moved 44,000 cars last year. Approximately 27% of buyers chose to rope their own gears, making for almost 12,000 units with a manual transmission. That's a pretty healthy number, reminding us that we're not alone in our love for manuals.

While most of these models sell fewer manuals compared to their automatic siblings, they represent the strongest remaining market for manual transmissions in America. However, the reality remains that manuals have largely disappeared from entry-level cars, surviving mainly in models where driving engagement is a priority for enthusiasts and contributes to brand identity.

Honda, Subaru, VW, and Ford see manuals less as a necessity and more as a way to differentiate performance trims and retain loyalty among enthusiasts. This means that while the number of cars with stick shifts will continue to drop, the ones that remain are likely to be exciting, desirable, and more collectible over time. My son and daughter want to drive manuals when they're old enough, and that means there's still hope.

Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru have issued a recall covering nearly 100,000 EVs the trio of OEMs have developed together: the Toyota bZ, the Subaru Solterra, and the Lexus RZ. The issue stems from something relatively minor, thankfully, but it has resulted in a stop-sale order while the Japanese carmakers work to remedy it: a bug in the climate control system that could keep the defroster and defogger from working.

Subaru

The recall covers the 2023-2025 Toyota bZ4X, as well as the 2023-2025 Subaru Solterra and the 2023-2025 Lexus RZ. The bZ4X makes up the bulk of the recall, with 41,499 units impacted. According to the filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a bug means that the EV's HVAC systems can enter into a "failsafe mode that suspends the heater operation … and affects defroster function."

Toyota

Luckily for owners, it may only occur under certain conditions, though it seems they may not be ones under an owner's control, such as the "specific failure mode of the electrical compressor." If it happens in cold temperatures, as it will with the seasons turning, the system may not be able to adequately remove frost, ice, or fog from the windshield. Of course, the NHTSA is concerned because limited visibility as a result could lead to an accident.

Lexus

An internal Toyota investigation started with testing in cold conditions, which then led to another investigation that eventually unearthed the compressor failure that can lead to the system entering safe mode. Owner notification kicks off in November.

Mild off-roading is most definitely a thing in the world of crossovers and SUVS. If your weekends are spent between bumpy dirt trails and Costco runs to load up on foodstuffs, both the 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness and 2025 Honda Passport TrailSport should be squarely in your automotive shopping crosshairs. You have no plans to go rock crawling or dune bashing, but you're also planning to do more than just go car camping.

Amos Kwon

Both specially trimmed models are built for the do-just-about-everything life with their elevated ground clearance, chunkier tires, off-road-leaning drive modes, space, daily comfort, and user-friendly tech. But they take different approaches: the Outback is a toughened wagon with rally-bred all-wheel drive and a turbo boxer four; the Passport is a brawny-ish, two-row SUV with a velvety V6. Here’s how they stack up so you can pick the one that’s right for you.

The good news for the Outback Wilderness is that it features an upgraded, turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder under the hood, producing 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque through a high-torque CVT tuned with a lower final drive for improved slow-speed control. It’s torquey, relaxed, and delivers 23 mpg combined, pretty good for something rolling on all-terrain tires and standing nearly ten inches off the ground. It will launch to 60 mph from a standstill in just under six seconds, very respectable for a mild off-road family hauler that weighs almost 4,000 pounds. 

• Ground clearance: 9.5 inches (vs. 8.7 on other Outbacks)
• Angles: 20.0° approach / 21.2° breakover / 22.5° departure
• Wheels & tires: 17-inch wheels on Yokohama Geolandar A/T 225/65R17 
• Protection: off-road cladding and a standard front skid plate
• Tech: Dual-function X-MODE adds Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud programs plus a low-ratio gradient control for steep work
• Towing: 3,500 pounds with the turbocharged engine.

The Honda Passport TrailSport gets two more cylinders but no forced induction. It goes classic with a naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 280 hp and 262 lb-ft with a 9-speed automatic and standard torque-vectoring AWD. EPA ratings land at 21 mpg combined, so you’ll visit the pump more often than in the Subaru, but the delivery is buttery smooth and confidently quick. 0-60 mph takes a slower 7.3 seconds. It’ll get outrun by the Outback, which is no surprise given the Passport TrailSport’s hefty 4,782-lb curb weight.

• Ground clearance: 8.3 inches
• Angles: 23° approach / 16.7° breakover / 23.1° departure
• Wheels & tires: 18-inch wheels on General Grabber A/T Sport 275/60R-18 113T M+S, off-road-tuned suspension,
• Protection: body cladding and skid plates
• Tech: Honda’s i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD and Intelligent Traction Management with Snow/Sand/Mud modes
• Towing: 5,000 pounds

Subaru

Neither of these vehicles is a slouch when it comes to space and comfort. The Subaru Outback Wilderness comes standard with StarTex water-repellent upholstery for easy cleaning and solid levels of comfort. It also offers 39.5 inches of rear legroom, which means it should be able to accommodate tall adults sitting behind tall adults. The Outback also provides 39.1 inches of rear headroom and 57.4 inches of shoulder room. Its towing abilities are modest but not bad for a turbocharged four-cylinder wagon. 

• Standard equipment: Heated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, and a heated steering wheel
• Passenger volume: 107.5 cu ft. is still generous for a midsize wagon, but not SUV-huge.
• Outback cargo volume: 32.6 cubic feet behind the second row; 75.6 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.

The Honda Passport TrailSport is the larger of the two in terms of overall space. It has 40.9 inches of rear legroom, a smidge more than the Outback. In TrailSport trim, it has 39.6 inches of rear headroom and 61.7 inches of shoulder room. 

• Passenger volume: 119.1 cubic feet. 
• Passport cargo volume: 44.0 cubic feet behind row 2; 83.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.

If you regularly tow a small camper or boat or just want a more capacious cargo hold, the Passport is the tool. If your adventures lean lighter and you prefer a lower load floor, the Outback Wilderness is the right choice. There’s more passenger space in the Passport TrailSport, but both vehicles are accommodating for adults.

Although these types of vehicles aren't exactly tech-forward with the largest and most advanced touchscreens, they provide solid infotainment systems that get the job done. Subaru has a large portrait-oriented touchscreen that dominates the dash and bleeds into the lower portion of the center stack. It's colorful, but the responsiveness could be better, and some vehicle operations are buried deeply in menu layers.

• 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Runs on Subaru’s STARLINK software suite.
• A Harman Kardon premium audio system with 12 speakers is standard.
• There's a lack of knobs for climate, but the system does have temp adjustment buttons and small physical audio knobs. The steering wheel controls and traditional shift knob are very easy to use.
• EyeSight driver-assist suite (adaptive cruise, lane centering, pre-collision braking) is standard, along with Blind Sport Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, High Beam Assist, a 180-Degree Front View Monitor, and a rear vision camera. The Outback line is also an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

Honda

The TrailSport version comes standard with a 12.3-inch landscape-oriented color touchscreen. It's not as fancy-looking as the one in the Outback, but it's easier to navigate and responds better to inputs. The Passport TrailSport includes leatherette and cloth seats, as well as heated front seats. In terms of physical-knob friendliness, it's hard to beat the Passport, which borrows many of the controls and ergonomics from the CR-V and Civic. The pushbutton shifter is less intuitive than the traditional shifter in the Outback.

• The infotainment touchscreen is an 8-inch landscape-oriented unit. It's basic but responsive, and the menus are easy to use.
• Switchgear is some of the best in the industry with large, knurled climate control knobs and a physical audio knob located just below the infotainment screen.
• Safety tech includes Collision Mitigation Braking System with Advanced Pedestrian Detection, Road Departure Mitigation, Blind Spot Information w/Lane Change Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist System, parking sensors, and a rearview camera. The new Passport also scored "good" in all IIHS testing.

Honda

The Subaru Outback Wilderness has a base price of $41,710, while the Honda Passport TrailSport starts at $48,450. That's a price difference of $6,740, a significant delta that puts the price advantage well into Subaru's court. Both vehicles come with standard all-wheel drive, excellent mild off-roading capabilities, distinct trim styling, spacious interiors, and solid infotainment and safety tech.

Both models are impressive in their own right. Each one can get dirty, and both are easy to live with day-to-day. If your adventures value agility and efficiency, the Outback Wilderness is the sweet spot. If you need space and muscle with honest light-trail chops, the Passport TrailSport is the safer bet. Pick the one that matches the way you actually adventure, not just the way you like to look in the REI parking lot.

The Honda CR-V is a fan favorite within the crossover segment, with a competitive price, spacious interior, and a healthy list of options at the ready. For the 2025 model year, there are no major changes on the docket - and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The Honda CR-V entered its sixth generation back in 2023, after all.

Honda

While Honda’s crossover saw no major changes, the Subaru Forester went in the opposite direction. The 2025 model year brings fresh exterior styling, as well as an updated chassis. Perhaps a more important update to some, Subaru upgraded the Forester with a new dual-pinion electronic power steering rack similar to what’s found in the WRX sedan. The Subaru Forester also comes with a new hybrid offering, but we’ll be focusing on the gas-powered model here.

The Honda CR-V was redesigned back in 2023, and it hasn’t seen any notable changes since then. Like in most Japanese crossovers, functionality is the primary focus. LED lighting comes standard across the board, including the turn signals integrated into the side mirrors. While the hybrid models are where most of the premium amenities lie, the EX-L includes a power tailgate and heated side mirrors. With just three gas-powered models to choose from, the 2025 Honda CR-V is priced from $30,100 - $35,000.

Honda

The Subaru Forester arrives with a fresh new look that leans into a more modern, athletic direction. The base model rides on 17-inch dark metallic wheels and includes several notable amenities, including LED steering-responsive headlights and raised roof rails. At the top of the range, the Forester adds a touch of premium styling to the equation, with 19-inch wheels, a panoramic power moonroof, and a foot-activated power tailgate. Priced from $29,995 to $41,595, the 2025 Subaru Forester is designed for the masses with seven trim levels to choose from.

Subaru

All gas-powered 2025 Honda CR-V models come equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a CVT, producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. FWD comes standard across the board, but AWD is available for an additional $1,500. 2025 Honda CR-V models with FWD are rated for 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Upgrading to AWD reduces fuel economy by two miles per gallon in combined driving scenarios.

Honda

Under the hood of every Subaru Forester lies a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT that sends power to all four wheels. That powertrain produces 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. At its best, the 2025 Forester earns an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Notably, the Wilderness model posts slightly different performance numbers, 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, and lower fuel economy, 26 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

Subaru

The Honda CR-V is a fan favorite for a long list of reasons, and the practical, spacious interior is a major selling point. At the base level, Honda’s crossover is fairly comfortable with mostly industry-standard equipment. Second-row heater ducts are an added bonus, but you’ll have to step up a bit to get more upscale amenities. The EX-L model features a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, automatic front and rear windows, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The CR-V also boasts up to 76.5 cu ft. of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. 

James Riswick

As far as tech goes, the CR-V is right in line with the rest of its segment. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility come standard in all three models, but only the EX-L ditches the wire. A seven-inch touchscreen comes standard in the lower two trim levels, while the EX-L gets a nine-inch display and includes a wireless smartphone charging pad. The base model gets a four-speaker sound system, while the EX-L gets upgraded to an eight-speaker setup.

The Subaru Forester comes in seven trim levels, which means there’s a rather wide variety of standard features across the range. While the base model has all of the necessities and none of the frills, mid-tier trims blend comfort with practicality, thanks to features like heated front seats and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. At the top of the range, the Forester gets more premium amenities, like ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The base Forester tops out at 74.4 cu ft. of cargo space behind the front seats. All other trim levels offer 69.1 cu ft. of cargo space with the rear seats lowered.

Subaru

Talking tech, the base Forester arrives with a seven-inch touchscreen display, but most models come with an 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, which includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android, as well as a wireless smartphone charging pad. Entry-level and mid-tier models come equipped with four or six speakers, but several pricier models boast an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

James Riswick

The 2025 Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester have proven to be top contenders within their segment, but there are some major differences to consider. While the Forester comes with standard AWD, the CR-V offers a bit more cargo space. Neither model has a major advantage in performance, and they have similar infotainment offerings. In terms of style, practicality is a key factor in both models, but with seven trim levels to choose from, the Forester wins when it comes to flexibility.

Limited editions of the Subaru and Toyota sports car twins are coming to Japan—and bringing a burst of sunshine with them. The Subaru BRZ STI Sport Yellow Edition and the Toyota GR86 RZ Yellow Limited both feature Sunrise Yellow paint, accompanied by some cosmetic changes. Both are also limited to 300 units, but rarity isn't the only hurdle faced by Japanese buyers looking to snag one.

Related: From GR86 to bZ Woodland: Toyota and Lexus Plan 24 New Models in 2026

Those looking to secure a build slot need to enter a lottery by applying at a dealership. Should they win the chance to own one of these limited-edition coupes, buyers will pay the equivalent of $26,500 for the GR96 RZ Yellow Limited and the equivalent of $28,400 for the BRZ STI Sport Yellow Edition.

Subaru

Besides the aforementioned Sunrise Yellow paint, Subaru's version includes black 18-inch wheels, black exterior badging, and gold brake calipers. Inside, black Ultrasuede and leather upholstery is livened up with yellow contrast stitching, as well as yellow "BRZ Yellow Edition" logos embroidered onto the door panels.

Mechanically, the Yellow Edition copies the Japanese-market STI Sport, which features Brembo brakes and sportier suspension, not unlike the BRZ tS sold in the U.S. Both the Subaru and Toyota leave their 2.4-liter boxer-four engines untouched at 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. That power is sent to the rear wheels through six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

Toyota

The GR86 RZ Yellow Limited is similar to the Yuzu Edition Toyota announced for the U.S. earlier this year, but lacks that version's body kit. It does have dark gray 18-inch wheels and an interior similar to the Subaru, with mostly-black upholstery contrasted by yellow stitching, as well as "Yellow Limited" lettering on the door panels.

Toyota did include some chassis upgrades, including Brembo brakes with ventilated rotors and red calipers, and retuned suspension with Sachs dampers. But, as noted above, Subaru already had an STI Sport trim level with similar hardware to base its limited edition on, whereas Toyota did not.

Subaru

These two limited editions fight the good fight against boring colors, but U.S. enthusiasts shouldn't fear missing out. The U.S.-spec Yuzu Edition of the GR86 has essentially the same upgrades as the RZ Yellow Limited, from its yellow paint to its Brembo brakes and Sachs dampers. an 860-unit production run that doesn't require entering a lottery should make it easier to get, although at $37,560 with destination it's $2,965 than the next-priciest GR86 Premium grade.

Subaru hasn't detailed the 2026 BRZ yet, but it did launch a Series.Purple limited edition for 2025, so it's hard to imagine the automaker doing another version in bright yellow. A Series.Yellow version of the previous-generation BRZ was sold as a 2017 model wearing a similar hue, and with Subaru selling a new JDM version, now seems like as good a time as any for a repeat.

Subaru has released it August sales numbers and to put it mildly, Subaru WRX sales are distressingly low.

Subaru’s best-selling model was once again the Crosstrek, with 20,442 units sold, essentially flat from the 20,396 it moved a year earlier (+0.2%). Year-to-date, the Crosstrek is up 11.5%, climbing from 115,214 sales in 2024 to 128,404 this year. On the other end of the spectrum, the WRX was Subaru’s worst performer after an equally bad July, plunging 60.6% year-over-year in August to just 611 units, down from 1,552 last year. Its year-to-date sales also cratered 38.6%, dropping from 12,216 to 7,499.

Among compact sports cars, the WRX is usually a top seller for a few reasons: a manual transmission, standard all-wheel drive, and stellar pricing among them. Those are still good reasons to buy a new WRX. So what has to change?

Elijah Nicholson-Messmer

It's worth acknowledging the biggest reason Subaru WRX sales are down: production is down too. While there's plenty of WRXs sitting on dealer lots right now, Subaru did cut production to make room for one of its best-sellers: the Forester. The two share a factory, and the popular family SUV is always going to outsell the small sports sedan.

One of the WRX's biggest weaknesses is its tech. The sedan makes use of an infotainment system dating back to the middle of last decade, and the system is largely unchanged today. It's too heavy on the touch controls, and the vertical orientation doesn't work well when most apps integrate horizontally, like CarPlay. The new Outback features some updated tech, and we're hoping a facelift could bring this to both the Impreza and the WRX.

Kristen Brown

The WRX's current design has been around since 2021. It caused a stir upon the car's debut, largely due to its plastic body cladding. That didn't stop the WRX from selling well, though, and it's clear buyers don't have much of a problem with the car's looks. However, a facelift is more than just aesthetics, and we think some updates to the WRX would go a long way to renewing interest in the sedan.

Kristen Brown

The WRX's manual is a little sloppy compared to rivals like the Civic Si and Elantra N, for one. Subaru could also stand to update the looks a touch, perhaps with the usual front and rear fascia updates most manufacturers go for. Though it may seem like the introduction of an STI model could help push sales, we don't think it would. The new STI would be pretty expensive, and it'd be tough for Subaru to raise prices when one of the platform's biggest benefits is its pricing. For now, some light updates and a little dash of updated tech could go a long way to helping the WRX feel like the affordable, fun sports compact it always has been.