2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2020 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Subaru Outback maintained its reputation for utility, safety, and performance, with a handsome profile that saw only incremental improvements. 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. Exterior changes were subtle, focusing on head- and taillights, but the interior saw significant upgrades, including an 11.6-inch touchscreen on most trims and the innovative DriverFocus technology. The Outback was available in seven trims in Canada, starting at an MSRP of $30,695, with features like heated front seats, keyless entry, and a suite of safety features.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona presented a funky, youthful design with a busy front grille and lighting features, appealing to younger buyers. Its exterior was playful, while the interior balanced fun with practicality. The seats had neat patterns and standard cloth upholstery, with leather available on higher trims. The interior layout was simple and intuitive, featuring a high-mounted infotainment touchscreen and physical climate controls. The Kona's compact size was complemented by a well-organized interior, making it a practical choice for urban driving.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre engine with 182 horsepower and a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine producing 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a CVT, tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission. The Outback's symmetrical AWD system provided consistent power delivery and improved handling, with a low centre of gravity reducing wear on components. Off-road capabilities were enhanced by 22.1 cm of ground clearance and the upgraded X-Mode on the Outdoor XT trim, though it wasn't designed for extreme off-roading.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came with two powertrain options: a 2.0-litre engine with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The base engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbo engine had a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. FWD was standard on lower trims, with AWD available or standard on higher trims. The Kona's handling was agile and engaging, with a comfortable ride on curvy roads. Fuel consumption ratings varied, with the turbo engine and AWD achieving 9.0/8.0/8.6 L/100 km city/highway/combined.

The 2020 Subaru Outback excelled in functionality, offering 920 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,144 litres with rear seats folded. Its design provided ample passenger space, with excellent headroom and legroom, even for taller individuals. The Outback's low centre of gravity improved handling and braking, while its design prioritized visibility, though rear-quarter blind spots remained a concern.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered decent front-seat headroom and legroom, with controls easily accessible. The rear seats provided good headroom but limited legroom, and large rear-facing car seats could pose challenges. The Kona's cargo space was limited compared to competitors, though small-item storage was generous and well-placed.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, though it suffered from lag and buried climate-control functions. The system's camera resolution was also lacking, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the screen was large and easy to navigate, with potential for improvement.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and USB inputs. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, though it lacked wireless smartphone connectivity. The infotainment system was simple, colourful, and responsive, enhancing the Kona's tech appeal.

The 2020 Subaru Outback included a standard safety suite with AWD, but the DriverFocus system was problematic, frequently issuing false alerts. Subaru's EyeSight system, while standard, could be obstructed by environmental factors, causing it to deactivate unexpectedly.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision avoidance assist, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional features like lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.