2020 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2020 Subaru Outback maintained its winning formula by focusing on incremental improvements, particularly in utility, safety, and performance. Built on Subaru’s Global Platform, it boasted a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-litre engine, though seemingly unchanged, featured 90% new parts, while higher trims offered a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine. Externally, changes were subtle, with noticeable updates to the head- and taillights. Inside, the Outback introduced an 11.6-inch touchscreen for most trims and innovative DriverFocus technology, which used facial recognition to enhance driver safety. The Outback was available in seven trims, starting at an MSRP of $30,695, with the XT trims featuring the turbo engine.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a bold design that was not universally appealing, with its unique grille shape and stacked lighting elements. Inside, the Santa Fe featured a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard and high-contrast interior colours. While the materials quality was not exceptional, the build quality was impressive, and the controls were refined. The Santa Fe was available in four trims, with the Luxury and Ultimate trims offering a turbocharged engine. AWD was standard on all but the Essential trim in Canada. The Ultimate trim, priced at $45,199, included features like a panoramic sunroof and a sophisticated interior design.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured a 2.5-litre engine with 182 horsepower, offering a 7-hp increase over the previous year. It achieved fuel consumption ratings of 9.0 L/100 km in the city, 7.1 on the highway, and 8.2 combined. For those seeking more power, the 2.4-litre turbocharged engine delivered 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a CVT, tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission. Subaru’s symmetrical AWD system provided consistent power delivery and enhanced safety. With 22.1 cm of ground clearance, the Outback was capable off-road, though not designed for extreme conditions.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe’s standard 2.4-litre engine produced 185 hp, but the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine was the preferred choice, offering 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission delivered power to either the front or all four wheels, with AWD eliminating torque steer. The Santa Fe had a towing capacity of 1,587 kg. Fuel efficiency varied, with the turbocharged engine and AWD consuming 12.0 L/100 km city, 9.2 highway, and 10.7 combined. The Santa Fe provided a smooth ride and decent handling, though it lacked driver engagement.

The 2020 Subaru Outback excelled in functionality, offering 920 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,144 litres with the rear seats folded. The interior was spacious, with ample legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers. Visibility was a priority, with excellent sightlines in most directions, though the rear quarters had a notable blind spot. The Outback’s design balanced exterior compactness with interior spaciousness, enhancing its practicality.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe featured thoughtful design elements, such as creative storage spaces and stain-resistant fabric. The interior was comfortable, with eight-way power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel. The dual-zone climate control system included a Clean Air ionizer. The back seat offered good legroom and thigh support, with reclining seats for added comfort. Cargo space was slightly limited, with 1,017 litres behind the rear seat and 2,019 litres with the seats folded. The hands-free “smart” liftgate added convenience.

The 2020 Subaru Outback’s 11.6-inch touchscreen was visually appealing but suffered from lag, affecting navigation and other functions. The system’s layout was generally intuitive, though some controls were buried. Camera resolution was subpar, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the potential for improvement was evident.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe’s infotainment system was user-friendly, with stereo control knobs, shortcut buttons, and a programmable button. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera, a larger display, navigation, and a premium sound system. The head-up display provided valuable information, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered a comprehensive safety suite, including standard AWD. However, the DriverFocus system was problematic, frequently issuing unnecessary alerts. Subaru’s EyeSight system, while standard, was occasionally hindered by environmental factors. Despite these issues, the Outback maintained a strong safety reputation.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe received high safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. It offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The ultrasonic occupant alert system and Blind View Monitor added unique safety elements, though blind-spot monitoring was not available on lower trims.