2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a diverse range of trims, each with distinct styling elements that set them apart. The base LS and popular LT models featured different grille patterns, while the sporty RST boasted a slotted grille, blacked-out appearance, and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 combined the LS grille with a blacked-out look, a redesigned front end for off-roading, red tow hooks, a skid plate, and unique 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. The upscale Premier adopted the RST’s slotted grille with chrome accents, while the luxurious High Country showcased a chrome bar grille and bright-finished 22-inch wheels. The Tahoe's design was characterized by its dominant grille, standard LED headlights, and expressive taillights. Despite its familiar design themes, the new Tahoe appeared more slab-sided, with larger wheels enhancing its overall look. Prices ranged from $57,048 for the LS to $81,448 for the High Country, with the Z71 trim tested at $80,293, including various option packages.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for 2020, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older models. While the base trim featured two 7-inch touchscreens, higher trims boasted an 11.6-inch portrait display, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. Quality was evident in the materials used, with Limited and Premier trims offering two-tone leather upholstery. The Outdoor XT trim featured water-resistant synthetic upholstery with lime green stitching. The Outback's exterior was marked by gray cladding, chrome flourishes, and bracket-shaped LED running lights. Changes for 2021 included a new brown paint option and standard adaptive LED headlights. The Outback's design emphasized practicality, with its lifted wagon appearance offering an alternative to typical crossovers and SUVs.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options. The standard 5.3-litre V8, available in all trims except the High Country, delivered 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country featured a 6.2-litre V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel engine, available for all trims except the Z71, provided 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, with improved fuel efficiency. The Tahoe's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with a 4WD system optional on base trims and standard on others. The Z71 trim included off-road enhancements like a two-speed transfer case and hill descent control. The Tahoe's towing capacity reached up to 3,810 kilograms, with a payload capacity of 831 kilograms. The major engineering change for 2021 was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride quality and interior comfort. The Z71 trim impressed with its smooth ride, thanks to adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a 2.5-litre boxer flat-four engine with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. This powertrain struggled with the Outback's weight, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing a significant improvement in performance. The XT's fuel efficiency was slightly lower than the base engine, but the added power was worth the trade-off. The Outback's handling was forgiving, with a focus on ride comfort and long-distance cruising. Its electronically-variable AWD system provided excellent off-road capability, with X-Mode optimizing performance in challenging conditions. The Outback's ground clearance and suspension allowed it to tackle rough roads with ease.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from a new independent rear suspension, enhancing passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The power sliding storage console offered convenient storage options, while the second row provided a choice between a bench seat or captain’s chairs. The third-row seat was more spacious, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe offered 722 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 2,056 litres with the seat folded, and a maximum of 3,480 litres. These figures surpassed most competitors, except for longer-wheelbase models.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered 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 ample headroom and legroom in all seating positions. The Outback's visibility was excellent, aided by 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 roof rails with integrated crossbars, allowing for easy installation of a roof rack. The 11.6-inch touchscreen complicated climate controls, but its large icons and responsive interface facilitated vehicle settings adjustments.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with enhanced computing power, over-the-air updates, and cybersecurity protection. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and Chevrolet Connected Services. Navigation and Bose premium audio systems were available upgrades. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though some menu icons were hard to access. The voice-recognition system was impressive, accurately responding to natural prompts. The test vehicle included a wireless charging pad and a mid-grade Bose audio system. The Rear Seat Media system offered versatility, though it was not fully tested. The Tahoe also offered an optional 15-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. Despite this, it offered modern features like adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The optional navigation system was more visually appealing. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system performed well on marked highways but relied solely on cameras, limiting its effectiveness in certain conditions.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe included standard safety features like Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward collision alert, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional features like lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Tahoe's safety systems worked as expected, though the pedestrian alert could be distracting. A surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering the large SUV. As of the review, the Tahoe had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger chassis and standard airbags, with additional safety features available on higher trims. It earned a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award, with top ratings in crash tests and forward emergency braking. NHTSA awarded the Outback five stars overall, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.