2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, boasting a more refined and athletic design compared to its predecessors. Its widened headlights, large grille, and distinctive "Explorer" lettering on the hood gave it a recognizable and bold presence. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior did not match the exterior's appeal. Despite the high price tag, the materials used inside felt subpar, with low-grade vinyl and hard plastics dominating the cabin. The Explorer's interior lacked the luxury feel expected at its price point, making it less appealing compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older Subaru models. While the base trim had a less appealing dashboard, higher trims featured a modern 11.6-inch portrait display surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The interior quality was a significant improvement over pre-2015 models, with substantial materials and comfortable seating. The Outback's exterior was practical, with high gray cladding to protect against scratches. Its styling was smooth and plain, with a few chrome accents. The Outback's design remained consistent, offering a lifted wagon alternative to typical crossovers and SUVs.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engines and a rear-wheel-drive chassis, providing a balanced and dynamic driving experience. The ST trim featured a 3.0-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided smooth and addictive power delivery, with impressive handling and cornering capabilities. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and a gas-electric hybrid option. However, the hybrid's fuel efficiency did not justify its higher cost. The Explorer's towing capacity varied, with the V6 capable of towing up to 2,540 kilograms.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, on the other hand, had a less powerful base engine—a 2.5-litre boxer flat-four with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine struggled with the Outback's weight, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trims offered a more capable 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-four engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided a significant improvement in performance, making the Outback more competitive. The Outback's handling was designed for comfort, with long-travel springs and high ground clearance for off-road capability. Subaru's AWD system was proactive and effective, enhancing the vehicle's off-road performance.

The 2020 Ford Explorer provided ample interior space, with generous headroom and legroom for passengers. The second row featured air vents, USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof, creating a first-class experience. The third row was more spacious than previous models, accommodating six-foot-tall adults for short trips. However, the cargo space behind the third row was reduced to 509 litres, while the total cargo capacity with all seats folded was 2,491 litres. The Explorer's interior was user-friendly, with physical knobs and switches for climate and stereo controls, although the thick D-pillars and fuzzy cameras created blind spots.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered 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, free of obstructions. The Outback provided ample headroom and legroom, with excellent outward visibility due to thin pillars and large windows. Storage options were plentiful, with large map pockets and bottle holders in each door. The Outback's roof rails and integrated crossbars were a standout feature, allowing for easy installation of a roof rack. However, some features like push-button start and rear console climate vents were not standard on lower trims.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot. Keyless entry, remote start, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard. The Premium Technology Package added a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, enhancing the user experience. However, the system lacked innovation, with limited customization options and an unfinished feel. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system offered semi-automated driving features but was not as effective as competitors' systems.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared outdated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. Despite this, it offered modern features like SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EyeSight system was standard, providing adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on cameras, limiting its effectiveness in certain conditions. The single large touchscreen was more cohesive and user-friendly than the base model's dual-screen setup.

The 2020 Ford Explorer featured Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. Adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking were also standard. The Explorer received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. Blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking were available on higher trims. The Outback was a 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, earning top ratings in crash tests and for its forward emergency braking. The NHTSA awarded the Outback an overall five-star rating, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.