2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a nod to the classic Bronco, capturing its rugged spirit in a more compact, urban-friendly package. It featured a modern retro design reminiscent of a Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs for improved off-road capability. The vehicle's tall fender wells and tucked-in body sides were crafted for trail driving, while bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate emphasized its adventurous nature. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a tastefully rugged interior with an uncluttered design, featuring an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector. The interior trim varied across models, with options ranging from cloth to leather-trimmed heated seats.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a familiar and comfortable design, with a fresher interior than its smaller sibling, the Crosstrek. The Outback's interior featured a large 11.6-inch portrait display on higher trims, surrounded by chrome and leatherette accents. Quality materials were evident throughout, with substantial window switches and dash padding. The Outdoor XT trim offered water-resistant upholstery with lime green stitching, adding a touch of flair. Externally, the Outback sported gray cladding for protection and a smooth, balanced design. It was a lifted wagon, offering a practical alternative to traditional SUVs, with adaptive LED headlights and a new brown paint option for 2021.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model featured a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. On-road, the 2.0-litre engine provided a better match for the vehicle's character, while the 1.5-litre engine could feel strained under pressure.

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 to move the Outback's weight, especially when fully loaded. The XT trims offered a more capable 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-four engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving performance. The Outback's handling was designed for comfort, with long-travel springs and high ground clearance. Subaru's AWD system was proactive, providing excellent off-road capability. The Outback's fuel efficiency varied, with the turbo XT consuming slightly more fuel than the base engine.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering clever features like a cargo space capable of holding two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford provided a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the 2.0-litre engine could tow up to 997 kilograms. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, though visibility could be challenging for taller drivers.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive ground clearance, allowing it to tackle rough terrain without being oversized. It offered 2,144 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The interior provided ample headroom and legroom, with comfortable seating and excellent visibility. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and a handy pocket on the passenger-side dash. 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, allowing for easy installation of a roof rack.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The terrain management system offered multiple drive modes, with additional off-road modes on the Badlands model. Intelligent access with push-button start was available on all trims except the Base model.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system 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 relied on cameras rather than radar, which could affect performance in certain conditions. The Outback's infotainment system included SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with a more cohesive single-screen setup on higher trims.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and more. The Bronco Sport received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger chassis and standard airbags, with additional safety features available on higher trims. Blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking were standard from the Touring trim. The Outback earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with high scores in crash tests and forward emergency braking.