2021 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4, following its 2019 redesign, presented a bolder and more angular appearance, enhancing its reputation for durability with a tougher look. The Trail trim, introduced the previous year, improved off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, multiple driving modes, and downhill assist control. The 2020 model further elevated its off-road prowess with the TRD Off-Road package, featuring matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a TRD suspension setup. The TRD Off-Road was distinguishable by its unique wheels, tires, and badges, while the interior boasted TRD logos, rubber floor mats, and a mix of quality materials and inexpensive plastics.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models, yet with a fresher interior. The base trim featured dual 7-inch touchscreens, while higher trims boasted an 11.6-inch portrait display. Quality materials were evident, especially in the Limited and Premier trims, which offered a luxury car feel. The Outdoor XT trim featured water-resistant upholstery with lime green stitching, adding a playful touch. The exterior was practical, with high gray cladding and smooth styling, while the new Brilliant Bronze Metallic paint and adaptive LED headlights were notable updates. The Outback's lifted wagon design provided a unique alternative to typical crossovers and SUVs.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid variant offered 219 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency, though it was not available with the TRD Off-Road package. The eight-speed automatic transmission generally performed well, though it occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model featured a torque-vectoring AWD system, multi-terrain select settings, and downhill assist control, making it adept at handling challenging trails. Despite its off-road focus, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road excelled in urban environments, with a comfortable ride and useful features like a 360-degree camera system and JBL premium sound system. However, its fuel efficiency fell short of official estimates, averaging 10.0 L/100 km.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine, a 2.5-litre flat-four, produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, but struggled with the vehicle's weight, resulting in sluggish performance. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving performance. The Outback's handling was more suited to long-distance cruising, with a comfortable ride and high ground clearance. Subaru's AWD system was proactive, providing excellent off-road capability, especially with X-Mode engaged. The turbo XT's fuel efficiency was slightly lower than the base engine, but the performance gains were worth the trade-off.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy ingress and egress, with a low and sporty driving position. The front seats featured SofTex upholstery, heated and ventilated functions, and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB ports. Interior storage was ample, with a dashboard shelf and a cargo capacity of 1,062 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,974 litres with the seats folded. The RAV4 also featured robust roof rails and a roof rack with crossbars for added utility.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive ground clearance, allowing it to tackle challenging terrains. Inside, it offered 2,144 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cabin provided ample headroom and legroom, with excellent visibility due to thin pillars and large windows. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and a front centre console with handy pockets. However, some features like push-button start and rear console climate vents were not standard on lower trims. The Outback's standout feature was its integrated roof rails and crossbars, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system was easy to use, with physical buttons and knobs for volume and tuning. The TRD Off-Road's voice-recognition technology was particularly impressive, accurately responding to commands. Additional features included wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree camera, and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered modern features like SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The single large screen was more cohesive than the base model's dual-screen setup. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. While the system performed well, it relied solely on cameras, which could be less effective in certain conditions.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering features like automatic emergency braking, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also included. The RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top marks for crash protection and ADAS performance, though headlight performance varied.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger chassis and standard airbags, with additional safety features available on higher trims. It earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and forward emergency braking. The NHTSA awarded the Outback five stars overall, though it received four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.