2026 Volvo vs. Subaru Brand Comparison

Now more than ever before, shoppers looking for their next vehicle have more brands and more vehicles to choose from. If you're searching for a vehicle that combines safety, versatility, value, and cutting-edge technology - the first two manufacturers that come to mind are often Volvo and Subaru. While they might appear as equals at first glance, a closer look reveals some key differences between them. To help illustrate why Volvo is the better choice compared to Subaru, our team at Motorcars Volvo Cars has assembled this informative brand comparison guide.

Safety

No brand has become more synonymous with pioneering life-saving safety technologies than Volvo. From day one, Volvo has remained committed to protecting the lives of its drivers and that very same dedication continues to this very day. When tested by experts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the results clearly speak for themselves.

For 2026, Volvo earned a 5-star safety rating for a total of 8 models, or every model that has been tested so far. The 5-Star Safety Ratings program evaluates how vehicles perform in crash tests. NHTSA performs frontal, side, and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways.

The following Volvo models received 5-Star ratings:

Volvo XC90 VS Subaru Ascent

2025.5 Volvo XC90 B5 Core	VS	2025 Subaru Ascent Touring
$62,445	MSRP	$51,165
23 / 30 / 26 ✓	Fuel Economy (city / highway / combined)	19 / 25 / 21
8-speed automatic ✓	Transmission	CVT
Double wishbone ✓	Front Suspension	Strut
85.7 cubic feet ✓	Max Cargo Capacity	72.8 cubic feet
12.3-inch digital ✓	Gauges	Analog
Standard ✓	Hands-Free Tailgate	Not Available
Standard ✓	Park Assist	Not Available
Standard ✓	Wireless Charging	Not Available
36 months / 30,000 miles ✓	Included Maintenance	None

Three-row SUVs have become incredibly popular in recent years, so we're comparing each brand's three-row model to demonstrate some important differences between the Volvo and Subaru approaches to vehicle building. Both the XC90 and the Ascent come with four-cylinder engines, producing nearly identical power. They also both come with standard all-wheel drive and even have the same 5,000-pound towing capacity. Since the Ascent has a bit of a price advantage, it might seem like it's the better deal. A closer look shows that the XC90 has some serious advantages that not even a fully-loaded Ascent can match. The first and most obvious of these is fuel economy, where the difference between these two is substantial. In some cases, you would have to choose between great fuel economy and driving fun, but not with the XC90. This proven SUV delivers a more engaging experience with its 8-speed automatic transmission compared to the numb CVT in the Ascent. On top of that, the Ascent comes with strut front suspension, which is good for saving space and manufacturing cost, but handling suffers when compared to a double wishbone setup like you get in the XC90.

The exterior size of both vehicles is very similar, but clever design has allowed Volvo to get quite a bit more cargo space out of the XC90. Tech is another area where the XC90 has a clear advantage. Digital gauge clusters have become quite popular in recent years, thanks to the clear advantage of a customizable layout. For new vehicles in this price range, they're fairly common, and the 12.3-inch display in the XC90 is a particularly good example. The Subaru comes with an old-fashioned analog setup, but that's not the only outdated part of the Ascent. While the Ascent does have a power liftgate, it doesn't come with hands-free access the way the XC90 does. Park Assist and a wireless phone charger are also standard on the XC90, but unavailable on any trim of the Ascent. Lastly, Volvo includes 36 months or 30,000 miles of routine maintenance with the purchase price of the XC90. This is more than usual, but it's significantly more than the none that you get with the Ascent.

Volvo EX60 VS Subaru Trailseeker

2027 Volvo EX60 P6 Plus	VS	2026 Subaru Trailseeker Touring Leather
$58,400	MSRP	$46,855
310 miles ✓	Range	274 miles
16 minutes ✓	DC Fast Charging Time (10-80%)	28 minutes
503 ✓	Available Horsepower	None
4,500 pounds ✓	Max Towing Capacity	3,500 pounds
Double wishbone ✓	Front Suspension	Strut
Standard ✓	Adaptive Suspension	Not Available
21✓	Speakers	11
Standard ✓	Multi-Adaptive Seat Belts	Not Available
48 months / 50,000 miles ✓	Warranty	36 months / 36,000 miles

Volvo and Subaru both have all-new midsize electric SUVs that just broke cover, so we figured these latest advanced models would make for a good comparison. And right from the start, the EX60 offers better range and significantly quicker DC fast charging, both incredibly important qualities in an EV. The standard P6 drivetrain in the EX60 produces nearly identical power to the top Touring trim of the Trailseeker: 369 horsepower for the EX60 versus 375 horsepower for the Trailseeker, but if you want more power than that, the Volvo is the only one of the two to offer it. The EX60 also makes good use of that power, with a max towing capacity that exceeds that of the Trailseeker by a thousand pounds.

The Trailseeker comes with a space/cost-saving strut setup for the front suspension, which doesn't offer quite the same level of precision and control as the double-wishbone setup in the EX60. Handling in the Volvo is further enhanced by the standard adaptive suspension, which allows you to glide over bumps one second and then stay flat during hard cornering the next. And this isn't the only equipment advantage that the EX60 has over even a fully loaded Trailseeker. Both come with premium stereo systems, but the EX60 has 21 speakers to the Subaru's 11. And if you want more, you can upgrade to a 28-speaker system in the EX60, but for the Trailseeker, the 11 is the upgrade. And since this is a Volvo, we need to mention that the EX60 comes with advanced multi-adaptive front seat belts, which can better adjust tension during an accident. The Trailseeker doesn't have these, but that's because the EX60 is the first vehicle in the world to get this Volvo-exclusive feature. And to round things out, the EX60 has a better warranty, a full year longer than the one you get from Subaru.

Explore our complete guide to the latest Volvo awards and industry recognition to see how the XC40, XC60, XC90, EX90, and other Volvo models have been recognized.