This article provides an in-depth comparison of the 2025 Subaru Outback and the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee, two popular mid-size SUVs. It examines their differences and similarities in pricing, performance, fuel efficiency, interior comfort, technological features, safety ratings, and overall value proposition to guide potential buyers.Navigating Your Next SUV Purchase: Outback vs. Grand Cherokee
Making the Right Choice: Deciding Between Two Iconic SUVs
Both the Subaru Outback and Jeep Grand Cherokee have long been mainstays in the automotive landscape, captivating drivers since their initial releases in the 1990s. For their 2025 iterations, the Outback begins at a more accessible price point of $29,995, while the Grand Cherokee starts at $36,495. This notable price difference often prompts prospective mid-size SUV owners to question which vehicle offers a better investment and why. This comprehensive analysis will explore the distinct attributes and interior amenities of each model, providing clarity to assist in your purchasing journey.
Under the Hood: Engine Performance, Towing, and Fuel Efficiency
The 2025 Outback's base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims come equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), generating 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. These models achieve an estimated 26 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway, with a towing capacity of up to 2,700 lbs. For those seeking more power, the Outback Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness, Limited XT, and Touring XT trims feature a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, also with a CVT, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, boosting towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. Fuel economy for the XT models stands at 22/29 city/highway mpg, while the Wilderness variant sees a slight dip to 21/26 city/highway mpg. A significant advantage for the Outback is its standard all-wheel drive (AWD) across all 2025 trims.
In contrast, every 2025 Grand Cherokee model is powered by a more robust 3.6-liter V6 engine, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, producing 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain allows for a substantially higher maximum towing capacity of 6,200 lbs. However, this increased power comes with a trade-off in fuel efficiency, rated at 19/26 city/highway mpg. The entry-level Laredo A trim is exclusively available with rear-wheel drive (RWD), with AWD offered as an option on the Laredo, Laredo X, Altitude, Altitude X, and Limited trims. Standard AWD is reserved for the Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve variants.
Interior Sanctuary: Assessing Comfort and Practicality
The Outback's cabin provides a versatile selection of six interior colors spread across four material options: cloth, synthetic leather, standard leather, and premium Nappa leather. Choices include Warm Ivory (available in cloth/leather), Titanium Gray (cloth/leather), Slate Black (cloth/leather/Nappa leather), and Java Brown (Nappa leather). The Grand Cherokee offers materials such as cloth, synthetic leather, simulated suede/leatherette, standard leatherette, and Nappa leather. However, its interior color palette is more restricted; most lower trims, including the Laredo A, Laredo, Laredo X, Altitude, Altitude X, and Overland, are limited to Global Black. The Limited trim offers Global Black or Global Black/Wicker Beige, while the top-tier Summit/Summit Reserve trims provide Global Black or Tupelo/Black options.
When it comes to spaciousness, the Subaru Outback slightly edges out the Grand Cherokee with more front and rear legroom, measuring 42.8 inches and 39.5 inches, respectively. The Grand Cherokee offers 41.3 inches of front legroom and 38.2 inches for the rear passengers. Despite this, the Jeep Grand Cherokee provides an additional 5.1 cubic feet of rear cargo space, totaling 37.7 cubic feet, and boasts a notably quieter cabin. The Grand Cherokee also justifies its higher starting price with a standard 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, with an available 12-way power driver’s seat. The Outback's base trim features manual seat adjustments, with optional 8-way or 10-way power adjustability on higher trims.
Technological Edge: Infotainment and Audio Systems
All Outback trims, excluding the base model, are equipped with an 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen. The Limited, Touring, Limited XT, and Touring XT trims further enhance this with standard navigation. The entry-level Outback includes a smaller seven-inch touchscreen. In comparison, every Grand Cherokee variant comes standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment display, with navigation included on the Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims. While the 2025 Grand Cherokee's central touchscreen is slightly smaller than the Outback's largest offering, Jeep compensates with an optional 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch passenger touchscreen, features not available in the Outback.
Audio configurations in the Outback range from four speakers in the entry-level model to six speakers in the Premium trim, culminating in a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system for the higher trims. The Grand Cherokee starts with six speakers in its base trim, while the Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims feature a standard 10-speaker system. Buyers of the Summit and Summit Reserve can also opt for a premium 19-speaker McIntosh sound system, offering the most speakers in its class. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across all Grand Cherokee trims, whereas they are optional in the Outback.
Prioritizing Safety: Crash Protection and Driver-Assist Systems
Both the 2025 Subaru Outback and the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee were recognized with IIHS Top Safety Pick awards in 2024. However, for 2025, neither vehicle qualifies for the updated award due to new criteria requiring an "Acceptable" rating in the revised moderate overlap front crash test. The Outback received a "Marginal" score, one tier below "Acceptable," while the Grand Cherokee scored the lowest rating of "Poor." Beyond this specific test, the Outback is generally considered the safer option in terms of crash protection, having achieved "Good" ratings in all other IIHS categories. In contrast, the Grand Cherokee showed a mix of "Good," "Acceptable," and "Marginal" ratings across its evaluations.
The Outback includes a standard EyeSight safety suite, which encompasses advanced adaptive cruise control with lane centering, pre-collision braking, lane departure and sway warning, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. While the Grand Cherokee does not have a branded standard safety suite, its base trim offers features comparable to those found in the EyeSight system.
Exterior Design and Practical Features: Size and Convenience
The Outback offers wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 18 inches, whereas the Grand Cherokee provides options from 18 to 21 inches. The Outback's wagon-inspired crossover SUV design results in a more compact and slender exterior profile compared to the larger Grand Cherokee. Subaru's exterior color selection for the Outback is more extensive, featuring nine shades versus the Grand Cherokee's seven. However, the Grand Cherokee offers an optional two-tone finish with a contrasting black roof. A hands-free power liftgate is standard on all Outback trims except the base and Premium models, yet it is only standard on the Grand Cherokee's Overland and Summit trims. While not standard on the Outback Premium, it is available as an option.
Extended Value: Warranty and Long-Term Ownership
Both the 2025 Outback and Grand Cherokee come with a three-year or 36,000-mile basic limited warranty, whichever milestone is reached first, alongside a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty. Historical data indicates that the Outback typically maintains a superior resale value, offers greater longevity, and incurs lower maintenance and repair expenses over its lifespan.
Concluding Thoughts: Making Your Final Decision
The 2025 Subaru Outback and the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee represent two of the strongest contenders in the mid-size SUV segment. However, the Outback distinguishes itself as the more advantageous purchase, offering a lower entry price, standard all-wheel drive, enhanced fuel efficiency, competitive levels of comfort and practicality, and robust crash protection. For buyers who prioritize a premium audio experience, more powerful standard engine performance, and a wider array of advanced display options, the Grand Cherokee might be the preferred choice. Ultimately, test driving both vehicles is recommended to make a decision that best aligns with individual preferences and needs.
