2021 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Audi Q7

The 2020 Audi Q7 presented a refreshed design with its 55 TFSI model, featuring a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine. This model started at $75,000 Canadian, with the Technik trim bringing the total to $86,100. The SUV's exterior updates included new front and rear styling, wheels, and lighting elements, aligning it with the flagship Q8 model. Inside, the Q7 adopted a high-tech dashboard from the Q8, replacing most physical controls with three digital displays. The cabin, adorned in Okapi Brown leather and Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash wood inlays, exuded an upscale and modern vibe, enhanced by multi-colour ambient lighting.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a familiar design, reminiscent of older models, yet offered a fresher interior than its smaller sibling, the Crosstrek. The Outback's interior featured a large 11.6-inch portrait display on Premium and above trims, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Outdoor XT trim, tested here, showcased gray and black soft-touch upholstery with lime green stitching, adding a touch of flair. The Outback's exterior remained smooth and plain, with high gray cladding for protection. Notably, the Outback's design emphasized practicality, with adaptive LED headlights and a new brown paint option for select trims.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI introduced a new 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, aimed to enhance fuel efficiency. The Q7's drivetrain, combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro AWD, offered various driving modes through Audi Drive Select. The SUV accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and had a towing capacity of nearly 3,500 kilograms. Fuel consumption was rated at 12.0 litres per 100 kilometres combined, with real-world testing showing slightly better efficiency. The Technik trim included an adaptive air suspension, enhancing ride comfort and off-road capability. Despite some throttle response issues in Comfort and Auto modes, the Q7 excelled in Dynamic mode, providing agile handling and a quiet cabin.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, in its base form, featured a 2.5-litre flat-four engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. However, the Outdoor XT trim offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine significantly improved performance, allowing the Outback to keep up with traffic. The turbo XT's fuel efficiency was slightly lower than the base engine, but the added power was worth the trade-off. The Outback's handling prioritized comfort, with long-travel springs and high ground clearance for off-road adventures. Subaru's AWD system, combined with X-Mode, ensured excellent traction and off-road capability, making the Outback a versatile choice for various terrains.

The 2020 Audi Q7, while offering three rows of seats, was best suited for five passengers. The third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space when in use. With the third row folded, cargo capacity expanded to 1,010 litres, and with both rows down, it reached 1,970 litres. The Q7's interior provided comfort for long journeys, with heated and ventilated front seats and ample legroom in the second row. However, interior storage was limited, with the centre console and door-panel bins offering minimal space for personal items.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive interior space, with 2,144 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, maximizing usability. The Outback's seating provided ample headroom and legroom, with excellent outward visibility. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and a front centre console with handy pockets. While some features like push-button start and rear console climate vents were not standard, the Outback's roof rails with integrated crossbars were a standout feature, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured the new MMI Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen with an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, and wireless Apple CarPlay. While the interface was generally intuitive, dry fingertips occasionally caused unresponsiveness. The Technik trim added a head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, though the latter was replaced by a Bang & Olufsen system in 2021 models.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered modern features like adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. While the system's reliance on cameras limited its functionality in certain conditions, it provided good semi-automated control on highways.

The 2020 Audi Q7's HD Matrix LED headlights, while impressive in illumination, received a "poor" rating from the IIHS due to glare issues. The Q7 included various advanced driving-assistance systems, such as Emergency Assist and Turn Assist, though some features like Adaptive Cruise Assist and Active Lane Assist were less satisfactory. The Q7 received high ratings from the IIHS, except for the headlight assessment.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger chassis and additional airbags for enhanced safety. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking were available on higher trims. The Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS, with top ratings in crash tests and forward emergency braking. The NHTSA awarded the Outback five stars overall, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.