2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2020 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Subaru Outback was a testament to Subaru's commitment to incremental improvement while maintaining its core strengths of utility, safety, and performance. Built on Subaru’s Global Platform, the Outback boasted a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-litre engine, although appearing similar to its predecessor, was redesigned with 90% new parts, offering 182 horsepower. For those seeking more power, the 2.4-litre turbocharged engine from the Ascent was available in higher trims. Externally, changes were subtle, with noticeable updates to the head- and taillights. Inside, the Outback introduced an 11.6-inch touchscreen on all but the base trim, alongside innovative tech like DriverFocus, which used facial recognition to enhance driver safety.

In Canada, the Outback was available in seven trims, starting with the Convenience trim at an MSRP of $30,695. This base model included features like heated front seats, keyless entry, and a suite of safety features. The Touring trim, priced at $34,795, added the larger touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Limited trim offered luxury touches like leather upholstery and a Harman Kardon stereo for $38,995. The Premier trim, at $40,995, featured Nappa leather and ventilated seats. The Outdoor XT trim, with a more powerful engine and unique styling, was priced at $38,695. The Limited XT and Premier XT trims added the turbo engine, priced at $41,795 and $43,795, respectively.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, despite its age, retained a rugged charm with its two-box body design and flared fenders. While not conventionally attractive, its design was functional and timeless, emphasizing utility over aesthetics. The 4Runner was available in Trail and SR5 trims, with the latter offering various packages like TRD Off Road and TRD Pro. Pricing started at $46,200 for the Trail model, which included part-time 4WD, and went up to $62,430 for the SR5 with the TRD Pro package.

The Trail model featured a utilitarian interior with black cloth upholstery and hard plastic surfaces, emphasizing durability and ease of cleaning. The dashboard was old-school, with large knobs and buttons for manual air conditioning. Despite its simplicity, the 4Runner was beloved for its durability and straightforward design, appealing to those who valued a reliable, long-lasting vehicle. However, its truck-like driving characteristics and fuel consumption were less suited for urban environments.

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 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which Subaru tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, minimizing the typical CVT drawbacks. The Outback's symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) system provided consistent power delivery and enhanced safety, especially in adverse conditions. With 22.1 centimetres of ground clearance, the Outback was capable off-road, though not as rugged as a Jeep. The Outdoor XT trim added features like hill-descent control and an upgraded X-Mode for improved off-road performance.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine, delivering 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission powered the rear axle, with part-time 4WD available. The 4Runner excelled off-road, thanks to features like A-Trac, a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with the 4Runner feeling slow and clunky. Its body-on-frame construction contributed to its truck-like driving characteristics, which some found charming but others found cumbersome. Fuel consumption was high, with an average of 14.0 litres per 100 kilometres during testing.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space, with 920 litres of cargo capacity, expandable to 2,144 litres with the rear seats folded. The increase in width between the rear wheels contributed to the spaciousness. The Outback's design prioritized visibility, though the rear quarters had a notable blind spot. The interior was comfortable, with ample headroom and legroom, even for taller passengers. The low load height and lower centre of gravity enhanced handling and safety.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner sat high off the ground, which could be challenging for shorter passengers. Once inside, the 4Runner provided comfortable seating with good support and ample legroom. The back seat offered good visibility, air conditioning vents, and USB ports. Cargo space was generous, with up to 1,337 litres behind the back seat and 2,540 litres with the rear seat folded. The 4Runner's back bumper was a convenient spot for sitting or changing gear, and the large roof rack added to its utility.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was visually appealing but suffered from lag and buried climate-control functions. The system's lag affected navigation, radio, and volume controls, detracting from the overall experience. Camera resolution was also lacking, which was noticeable on the large screen.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner's entry-level Trail grade had limited technology, but the standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system was fully featured, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The system was user-friendly, with physical buttons and knobs for easy operation, even with gloves. Higher trims offered upgraded audio and navigation systems, enhancing the infotainment experience.

The 2020 Subaru Outback included a comprehensive safety suite, with standard AWD and features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. However, the DriverFocus system was problematic, frequently issuing false alerts. Subaru's EyeSight system, while standard, could be affected by obstructions like snow or fog.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring, which was a notable omission. The 4Runner's safety ratings reflected its age, with a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and a Marginal rating for small overlap frontal-impact protection from the IIHS.