2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased a refined design that marked a significant improvement from its predecessors. Cadillac had been working to restore its reputation for luxury, and the XT5 was a testament to that effort. The SUV featured a snub-nosed exterior with distinct trim level differentiation, highlighted by standard LED lights and 18-inch alloy wheels, with 20-inch designs available. Inside, the XT5 offered a more upscale interior than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer, with sweeping horizontal design lines and straightforward materials. The Premium Luxury trim level, in particular, exuded elegance with cut and sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fibre accents, reminiscent of the finery Cadillac had been known for.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older Subaru models. Despite its redesign in 2020, the Outback retained its classic analog gauges and steering wheel design, with a fresher interior than the smaller Crosstrek. The Outback's interior was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom, and featured a wide, flat cargo area free of intrusive wheel arches. The Outdoor XT trim offered a unique touch with water-resistant synthetic upholstery and lime green contrast stitching. The Outback's exterior was characterized by its gray cladding and smooth, plain styling, with adaptive LED headlights and a new brown paint option for 2021.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. The V6 was standard on the Sport trim and available on the Premium Luxury trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which was smooth when upshifting but clunkier when downshifting. The XT5's throttle response was immediate with the V6, though it could benefit from additional low-end torque. Fuel consumption for the V6 AWD was approximately 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres, better than the estimated 11.2 L/100 km combined. The base engine used 9.5 L/100 km with FWD and 10.1 with AWD.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine was a 2.5-litre boxer flat-four with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This powertrain struggled with the Outback's weight, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trim offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing a significant improvement in performance. The turbo XT's fuel efficiency was slightly lower than the base engine, with an estimated 10.1 L/100 km city and 7.9 highway. The Outback's handling was squishy, but its ride comfort and off-road capability were excellent, thanks to its high ground clearance and Subaru's proactive AWD system.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 provided seating for four adults in two rows, with a three-seat bench in the second row. While legroom was good, headroom was limited for tall occupants. The XT5 offered 850 litres of cargo space, though it was less than some competitors. The cargo area was deep but narrowed by wheel bump-outs. The SUV featured a cargo-management system and a hands-free programmable height power liftgate. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone within eyesight.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive interior space, with 2,144 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, with no intrusive wheel arches. The Outback offered ample headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seats. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and a handy pocket on the front centre console. The Outback's standard roof rails and integrated crossbars were a standout feature, allowing for easy installation of a roof rack. The 11.6-inch touchscreen complicated climate controls, but the screen was generally responsive.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen housed in Piano Black plastic. The system included a rotary controller on the centre console, which could crowd the screen's aesthetics. The XT5 offered one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a subscription-based 4G LTE WiFi hot spot. A rear camera mirror and a head-up display were available. The digital instrument cluster provided essential vehicle information, and the system's screens could darken at night for a less distracting driving experience.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered modern features like SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight was standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system relied on forward-looking cameras, which could be impeded in certain conditions. The optional navigation system was more modern-looking, and the single large screen was more cohesive and useful than the base model's dual-screen setup.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a range of safety features, including front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Not all features were standard across all trims. The XT5's Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime drivability, and General Motors' Teen Driver software allowed parents to monitor and limit vehicle features for young drivers.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and reverse automatic braking were standard from the Touring trim. The Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.