2021 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Toyota 4Runner

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was characterized by its tall slab sides, high beltline, and short overhangs, contributing to its timeless design. Its utilitarian attitude was reminiscent of an XJ Jeep Cherokee, with flared wheel wells designed to accommodate off-road tires and short overhangs allowing it to tackle steep pitches. The hood scoop, a visual cue for the TRD trim, was one of the few non-functional elements. The front end featured small, angular headlights, and the grille varied across trims, with the TRD Pro boasting blacked-out accents and the Limited featuring chrome. The 4Runner's lineup in Canada was based on the SR5 trim with five packages, including the Limited package, which aimed at comfort with leather upholstery and an 8-inch touchscreen. Despite these features, the 4Runner retained its utilitarian DNA, with plenty of plastic and a seating position designed for off-road adventures.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, maintained a familiar and comfortable feel. Its interior was fresher than the smaller Crosstrek, with a standard 11.6-inch portrait display on Premium and above trims, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Outback's quality was evident, with substantial window switches and surface materials. The Outdoor XT trim featured water-resistant upholstery with lime green contrast stitching, adding a touch of wildness. The exterior had gray cladding on wheel arches and bumpers, with smooth styling and chrome flourishes. The Outback's standout feature was its lifted wagon design, offering an alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4-litre V6 engine with a five-speed automatic transmission, delivering 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. This engine was not designed for efficiency but for durability and off-road capability, allowing for a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms. The 4Runner's fuel consumption was estimated at 14.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 12.5 on the highway. Its body-on-frame construction and advanced traction systems like crawl control and Multi-Terrain Select made it a formidable off-road vehicle, though it exhibited significant body roll and vague steering on the road.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine was a 2.5-litre flat-four with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. This setup struggled with the Outback's weight, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, providing a significant performance boost. The Outback's fuel efficiency was estimated at 10.1 litres per 100 kilometres city and 7.9 highway for the turbo XT. Its handling was squishy, but the ride comfort and ground clearance were excellent for long-distance cruising and off-road adventures. Subaru's AWD system and X-Mode enhanced its off-road capabilities, making it more proficient than many crossovers and SUVs.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility and a tidy turning radius of 5.6 metres. Its interior featured large, chunky knobs for controls and an 8-inch touchscreen. The high front seat position provided a commanding view, though climbing in and out could be challenging without power-retractable running boards. The 4Runner offered an optional third row of seats, but they were best for short and occasional use due to limited legroom and comfort.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive ground clearance and a spacious interior, with 2,144 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The seats were comfortable, and visibility was superb. Storage options were plentiful, with large map pockets and bottle holders. However, some features like push-button start and rear console climate vents were not standard on lower trims. The Outback's best feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, offering easy installation of a roof rack. The 11.6-inch touchscreen complicated climate controls but was generally responsive.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. While Toyota's proprietary system was not difficult to understand, the onboard navigation system was less efficient than smartphone apps. The 4Runner also offered Bluetooth connectivity, a single USB port, and subscription services like Sirius XM. However, it lagged behind competitors in terms of total features and usability, with the most advanced features hidden in the powertrain.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared outdated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. Despite this, it offered modern tech like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking through Subaru EyeSight. SiriusXM satellite radio and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the optional navigation was more modern-looking. The single large screen was more cohesive and useful than the base model's dual-screen setup.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams. It had eight standard airbags and received four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with a three-star rating in the rollover test. The IIHS gave it a Good rating in most crash tests, except for a Marginal score in the small overlap front: driver-side test.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking were standard from the Touring trim. The Outback was a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+," earning top ratings in crash tests and for its forward emergency braking. The NHTSA awarded it five stars overall, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.