Features Comparison: Toyota Solara vs. Subaru Outback
Model Year
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2010
2010
Model
Solara
Solara
Solara
Solara
Solara
Solara
Outback
Outback
Trim
SE
SE V6
Sport
Sport V6
SLE
SLE V6
2.5i
3.6R
Engines
2.4L I4 DOHC-4v 155 hp@6000 158 lb-ft@4000
3.3L V6 DOHC-4v 210 hp@5600 220 lb-ft@3600
2.5L H4 DOHC-4v 175 hp@5800 174 lb-ft@4000
3.6L H6 DOHC-4v 256 hp@6000 247 lb-ft@4400
Transmissions
5-speed manual
5-speed manually-shiftable automatic
6-speed manual
6-speed manually-shiftable CVT
Drivetrains
FWD
AWD
Tires
215/60VR16 tires
215/55VR17 tires
215/70R16 tires
225/60R17 tires
Audio Systems
Unbranded, 6 speakers
JBL, 270W, 8 speakers
Unbranded, 4 speakers
Harman/Kardon, 440W, 9 speakers (with subwoofer)
Accessories
Cruise control
First-aid kit
Power front side windowsOften must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.
Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.
Power locks
Power rear side windows
Remote keyless entryUnlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.
Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.
Roadside emergency kit
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual
Universal garage door openerHomelink.
Homelink.
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety
4-wheel disc brakesRear disc brakes.
Rear disc brakes.
Active or whiplash-reducing head restraints, front seatsIf active, automatically move forward when the vehicle is rear-ended. Note: becoming less common.
If active, automatically move forward when the vehicle is rear-ended. Note: becoming less common.
AlarmOnly listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.
Antilock brakes (ABS)Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.
Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.
Brake assistWhen a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes.
When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes.
Front airbagsMandatory, in all cars.
Mandatory, in all cars.
Hill start assistApplies the brakes to hold the vehicle in place on an incline. Incomplete data, so only displayed when pricing a single vehicle.
Applies the brakes to hold the vehicle in place on an incline. Incomplete data, so only displayed when pricing a single vehicle.
Rearview cameraRearview camera connected to display screen on the instrument panel. Often requires navigation system.
Rearview camera connected to display screen on the instrument panel. Often requires navigation system.
Rollover sensorDeploys extended duration side curtain airbags when the vehicle rolls over. Usually included on tall vehicles. Rare on others.
Deploys extended duration side curtain airbags when the vehicle rolls over. Usually included on tall vehicles. Rare on others.
Side curtain airbagsAirbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row.
Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row.
Stability controlSelectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning).
Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning).
Temporary spare tire
Tire-pressure monitorTwo types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire.
Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire.
Traction controlWhen a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction.
When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction.
Cargo Management
Cargo cover
Cargo mat
Cargo net
Cargo tray
Class II trailer hitchHitch rated for up to 3,500 pounds. Capacity of the vehicle could be lower.
Hitch rated for up to 3,500 pounds. Capacity of the vehicle could be lower.
Console with shifter
Overhead sunglass holderUsually part of an overhead console.
Usually part of an overhead console.
Roof rackIncludes side rails and crossbars.
Includes side rails and crossbars.
Storage beneath cargo floorLarge storage area beneath the load floor, often compartmentalized.
Large storage area beneath the load floor, often compartmentalized.
Trailering equipment (4 wire)Includes four-wire harness, limited to relatively small trailers.
Includes four-wire harness, limited to relatively small trailers.
Climate Control
Air conditioning
Automatic climate control, frontMaintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.
Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.
Dual-zone climate controlTemperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.
Temperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.
Interior air filterFilters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.
Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.
Rear air ventsVents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling.
Vents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling.
Rear defrost
Rear heat ductsDucts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.
Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.
Rear wiper
Variable intermittent wipersTime between wipes can be precisely adjusted.
Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted.
Wiper de-icerHeating elements defrost area where front wipers rest.
Heating elements defrost area where front wipers rest.
Exterior
Body kitSide skirts and possibly a front air dam and rear apron.
Side skirts and possibly a front air dam and rear apron.
Bodyside cladding (gray/black)Protective cladding extending partly onto the doors.
Protective cladding extending partly onto the doors.
Bright-finished exhaust tip(s)Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust.
Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust.
Deep-tinted rear windows
Pearlcoat paint
Rear spoilerCan be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler.
Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler.
Sunroof
Infotainment
Audio controls on steering wheel
Aux inputJack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car.
Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car.
Bluetooth audio streamingUses Bluetooth rather than a cable to integrate audio device. Requires compatible audio device and/or phone.
Uses Bluetooth rather than a cable to integrate audio device. Requires compatible audio device and/or phone.
Bluetooth cell phone linkEnables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers.
Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers.
CD changer, in-dashIncludes CD player.
Includes CD player.
CD player
DVD-compatible playerAudio system capable of playing DVDs on a front-row screen. Inoperative when the vehicle is moving. No value because of incomplete data.
Audio system capable of playing DVDs on a front-row screen. Inoperative when the vehicle is moving. No value because of incomplete data.
MP3-compatible playerAudio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files.
Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files.
Navigation systemScreen-based navigation system.
Screen-based navigation system.
Satellite radioXM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.
XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.
USB portOften permits an iPod or phone to be integrated into the vehicle's entertainment system and controls.
Often permits an iPod or phone to be integrated into the vehicle's entertainment system and controls.
Voice control for nav and audioSometimes also includes voice control over climate control system.
Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system.
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors
Auto-dimming driver-side mirrorDriver-side exterior mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.
Driver-side exterior mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.
Auto-dimming rearview mirrorInterior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.
Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.
Automatic headlightsHeadlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights.
Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights.
CompassWe haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it.
We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it.
Fog lightsLight wide area close in front of the vehicle.
Light wide area close in front of the vehicle.
Heated mirrorsClears ice and fog from mirrors.
Clears ice and fog from mirrors.
Illuminated visor mirror, driverIncludes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.
Illuminated visor mirror, passengerIncludes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.
Interior ambient lightingLEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior.
LEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior.
Map lightsFront row reading lights.
Front row reading lights.
Outside temperature display
Power mirrorsIncludes value of manual remote mirrors.
Includes value of manual remote mirrors.
TachometerReports engine speed.
Reports engine speed.
Trip computerReports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats.
Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats.
Upgraded instrumentsOnly listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Xenon HID headlightsProvide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights.
Provide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights.
Seats and Interior Trim
Front buckets
Second-row 2-section 3-person split bench
Center armrest(s), front row
Center armrest(s), second row
Door sill trim plates
Floor mats
Folding second row seatsSeat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat.
Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat.
Heated front seats
Leather seating surfacesSeating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette.
Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette.
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Manual height adjuster, driver seat
Manual lumbar adjuster, driver seatManually adjustable lower back support.
Manually adjustable lower back support.
Manual recliner, second row seats
Manual tilt adjuster, driver seatManually tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.
Manually tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.
Metal pedals
Power fore-aft adjuster, driver seat
Power fore-aft adjuster, passenger seat
Power height adjuster, driver seat
Power lumbar adjuster, driver seatPower-adjustable lower back support.
Power-adjustable lower back support.
Power recliner, driver seat
Power recliner, passenger seat
Power tilt adjuster, driver seatPower tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires
Alloy wheels
Raised heavy-duty suspensionOnly listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Sport suspension (upgrade)Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Transmission
Steering-wheel-mounted transmission controlsPaddles or buttons that can be used to manually shift the transmission. Only listed when optional or not always included with an automatic transmission.
Paddles or buttons that can be used to manually shift the transmission. Only listed when optional or not always included with an automatic transmission.
Transmission coolerOnly listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.
The Toyota Solara SLE is much better equipped than the Pontiac G6 GT. The Toyota has heated leather seats, automatic climate control, HID projector low beams and a 6-disc MP3/WMA-compatible CD changer.
see full Toyota Solara review
2008 Toyota Solara Available Features: Cons
Year
Body/Powertrain
Comment
2007
2dr Coupe 210-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Nothing - has everything I want. Please see above. This is my car, the Avalon is driven by my wife.
see full Toyota Solara review
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2010 Subaru Outback
Excellent AWD, excellent cargo capacities and weights. Suitable to carry work stuff, family, bikes, skis, etc. Simply the only car under 40 grand that does what I need it to do.
see full Subaru Outback review
AWD important for weekend trips to cabin in mountains. Higher driving position helpful in heavy urban traffic. Hatch convenient for rolling bags and business equipment.
see full Subaru Outback review
Wishes for future models would be an Audi Allroad killer. Put the 2.0T in an outback, 30+mpg. Super suspension (2013 got better suspension but is it awesome? I haven't gotten to drive one). Altimiter. Copy the computer function off a VW. I want to be able to "set" all the things I could in my Jetta. I want an all-windows-sunroof-close button or auto close on phone ring. The bluetooth phone integration is terrible. 5 star crash test on everything but roll over. 4 star ok there. Continue to make the car quieter (it is a lot better than previous gen Outback). $1300 small sunroof on Outback? $1600 panoramic on many other cars. Sub's should be $400 if it was priced on size. Turn signal blinkers on the mirror. Reliability transparency. No company is and I CAN'T BELIEVE consumers put up with it (thank you TrueDelta). Work with Yakima/Thule when you change the rack. The 2013 change that made the kit not fit and not telling Y/T is rude. Make the high beams the new medium beams and put some nuclear bright headlights on for high beams. I want to see when driving in the middle of no where.Full size spare.Use LED headlights so no lightbulbs to replace. Long range there needs to be a plugin/hybrid (Twin rear electric motors w/ front wheel drive of gas perhaps?). Seems like their customer base would want that.
see full Subaru Outback review
Lack of memory seats. Given that my wife and I switch cars periodically it did not seem like an issue at the time. The price point of this vehicle though should include the feature.
see full Subaru Outback review
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2008 Toyota Solara
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2010 Subaru Outback
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
6-speed manual AWD
4-speed shiftable automatic AWD
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD