2021 Toyota Venza vs 2020 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Subaru Outback was a testament to Subaru's commitment to refining a winning formula. With a focus on incremental improvements, the Outback was built on Subaru’s Global Platform, boasting 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 featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen on all but the base trim, and introduced DriverFocus technology, which used infrared monitoring to alert distracted drivers. The Outback was available in seven trims, starting at an MSRP of $30,695, with the XT trims featuring the turbo engine.

The 2021 Toyota Venza, on the other hand, was a stylish SUV that drew comparisons to Lexus models, thanks to its sleek design and elongated profile. It was available in three trims: LE, XLE, and Limited, with a choice of seven paint colours. The Venza came standard with a host of features, including LED headlights, a wireless charging pad, and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The XLE and Limited trims offered additional features like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a digital rearview mirror. The Venza's interior was uniquely designed, with premium appointments and a focus on comfort. Despite having less cargo space than some competitors, the Venza's 816 litres of cargo capacity was sufficient for daily use.

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) that was tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission. The Outback's symmetrical all-wheel drive system provided consistent power delivery and improved handling, both on and off-road. With 22.1 centimetres of ground clearance, the Outback was capable of handling various terrains, although it wasn't designed for extreme off-roading.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and electric motors, delivering a combined 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. The electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) offered smooth acceleration, although engine noise was noticeable during acceleration. The Venza's handling was confident, and its all-wheel drive system provided stability. The Venza excelled in fuel efficiency, achieving 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.4 on the highway, outperforming many competitors. Toyota backed its hybrid powertrain with a 10-year/240,000-kilometre warranty.

The 2020 Subaru Outback was a practical choice, 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 for passengers. Visibility was a strong point, although the rear quarters had a noticeable blind spot. The Outback's design prioritized functionality, with a low load height and a lower centre of gravity for improved handling.

The 2021 Toyota Venza's interior was designed with elegance in mind, featuring premium materials and a unique layout. The centre console housed various controls and a wireless charging pad, while the seats were comfortable for long drives. The Venza offered slightly more headroom than the RAV4, with similar passenger volume. However, its cargo space was limited to 816 litres, which was less than some competitors. The Venza's cargo area was easy to configure, thanks to quick-flip releases on the rear seatbacks.

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 camera resolution was also lacking, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the infotainment system had potential, with a user-friendly layout and easy navigation.

The 2021 Toyota Venza offered an 8-inch infotainment system on the LE trim, while the XLE and Limited trims featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Entune system was responsive but required multiple menu trips for certain functions. The Venza included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system on higher trims. Toyota's connected services, such as Safety Connect and Remote Connect, were standard, providing additional convenience and safety features.

The 2020 Subaru Outback came with a comprehensive safety suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keep assist. However, the DriverFocus system was problematic, frequently issuing false alerts. Subaru's EyeSight system, while standard, could be obstructed by environmental factors, leading to occasional deactivation.

The 2021 Toyota Venza was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included pre-collision warning, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with automatic braking available on higher trims. The Venza received high safety ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.