2021 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a somewhat understated exterior design, with subtle changes from its predecessor, such as a more slanted tailgate glass and pronounced body panel creases. The trapezoidal theme was evident in various elements, including the tailgate's license plate cutout and the grille. Higher trims like Limited and Platinum featured projector-beam LED headlights and attractive 20-inch alloy wheels. The interior, however, was where the Highlander truly shone, with a focus on quality fit and finish. The cabin boasted silver-painted accents, an 8-inch touchscreen, and a multi-layered dash. The Limited trim offered a luxurious three-tone interior with rich textures and padded surfaces, rivaling competitors like the Kia Telluride.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older Subaru models. While the base trim featured a less appealing dual-screen setup, higher trims boasted an 11.6-inch portrait display with chrome trim and contrasting leatherette. The Outback's interior quality had improved significantly since pre-2015 models, with substantial materials and comfortable seating. The Outdoor XT trim introduced a water-resistant synthetic upholstery with lime green stitching, adding a touch of flair. Externally, the Outback's gray cladding and smooth styling provided a balanced and stable appearance, with adaptive LED headlights becoming standard for 2021.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a robust 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with the Lexus RX, provided smooth and quiet performance, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, the Highlander's steering and suspension left something to be desired, with loose steering and a soft suspension that affected control. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander offered a comfortable and isolating driving experience, especially on long road trips. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the FWD model rated at 11.9 L/100 km city and 8.3 highway, while the AWD version achieved 11.7 city and 8.6 highway.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-litre boxer flat-four engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine struggled with the Outback's weight, resulting in sluggish performance. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving performance. The Outback's handling was forgiving, with a focus on ride comfort and off-road capability. Subaru's AWD system was proactive, providing excellent traction and control. Fuel efficiency for the turbo XT was slightly lower than the base engine, at 10.1 L/100 km city and 7.9 highway.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered versatile seating for up to eight passengers, with generous legroom and easy access to the third row. The second-row seats were highly adjustable, and the rear doors opened wide for convenient ingress and egress. Cargo space was ample, with 453 litres behind the third row, 1,359 litres behind the second, and 2,378 litres with both rows folded. The Highlander also featured practical storage solutions, including eight cupholders and two dash-integrated shelves.

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 cargo area was wide and flat, with no intrusive elements. The Outback provided excellent visibility and comfortable seating, with ample headroom and legroom. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and a handy front centre console. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, offering convenient and cost-effective storage solutions.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander's infotainment system felt outdated, with low-resolution screens and a lack of onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen on the Platinum trim was underutilized, with limited usable area. However, the Highlander offered a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch instrument cluster display, providing useful information. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, and a JBL audio system on higher trims.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system also appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered modern features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking through Subaru EyeSight. The system's usability was hampered by its interface, but it included standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and optional navigation. The single large screen on higher trims was more cohesive and attractive than the base model's dual-screen setup.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Highlander received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. Blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking were available on higher trims. The Outback earned a 2020 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with slightly lower scores for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.