2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 GMC Yukon

The 2021 GMC Yukon was a testament to GMC's commitment to offering a premium-grade experience, positioned between Chevrolet and Cadillac. It was a full-size SUV that combined ruggedness with refinement, available in various trims including the SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. The Denali trim, in particular, stood out with its exclusive dashboard design, real wood trim, and leather-wrapped panels, offering a sophisticated and upscale cabin. The Yukon Denali Ultimate, with its Midnight Blue paint and 22-inch wheels, exuded a more luxurious appeal compared to its Chevrolet counterpart, the Tahoe High Country. Despite its premium features, the Yukon was not cheap, with the Denali Ultimate option package pushing the price to $93,703 CAD.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained its familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older Subaru models. Redesigned for 2020, the Outback's interior was fresh, especially in trims above the base, which featured a bright 11.6-inch portrait display. The Outback's interior quality was evident, with substantial window switches and surface materials. The Outdoor XT trim offered a unique touch with water-resistant upholstery and lime green stitching. Externally, the Outback's styling was smooth and plain, with high gray cladding for protection. It was a lifted wagon, offering a great alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs, with its adaptive LED headlights and new paint options for 2021.

The 2021 GMC Yukon offered three engine options, with the Denali trim featuring a 420-horsepower 6.2-litre V8 engine, providing robust acceleration and a distinctive V8 burble. However, its fuel efficiency was not its strong suit, averaging 16.3 litres per 100 kilometres on a testing loop. The Yukon boasted an independent rear suspension and an available Four-Corner Air Ride suspension, enhancing ride quality and handling. Its Active Response 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential, improved cornering performance and traction. The Yukon Denali could tow up to 3,629 kilograms, though this was less than some competitors.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-litre flat-four engine with 182 horsepower, which struggled with the vehicle's weight, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with 260 horsepower, significantly improving performance and refinement. The Outback's fuel efficiency was slightly better with the base engine, but the turbo XT offered a more balanced performance. The Outback excelled in ride comfort and off-road capability, with its electronically-variable AWD system and X-Mode for tougher conditions, making it more proficient off-road than many crossovers and SUVs.

The 2021 GMC Yukon benefited from a new independent rear suspension, enhancing passenger and cargo space. The Denali trim featured leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sliding console. The second-row seats were heated and could slide and collapse for improved comfort and cargo room. The third-row seat offered actual thigh support, accommodating adults comfortably. The Yukon Denali provided substantial cargo volume, with up to 3,480 litres of space, comparable to minivans.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive ground clearance and interior space, with 2,144 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded. The cargo area was wide and flat, with ample headroom and legroom in all seating positions. The Outback's visibility was excellent, with thin pillars and lots of glass. Storage solutions were plentiful, with large map pockets and bottle holders. 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 standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, offering easy installation for roof racks.

The 2021 GMC Yukon Denali, especially with the Ultimate Package, offered a comprehensive infotainment system with a 10.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It included a 14-speaker Bose audio system, though it lacked depth. The Rear Seat Media system with dual 12.6-inch displays was a highlight, though it required some setup for streaming content. The Yukon also featured a 15-inch head-up display and multiple camera views for enhanced maneuverability.

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, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight was standard, providing adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and emergency braking. The Outback's single large screen was more cohesive than the base model's dual-screen setup, despite some usability issues with climate controls.

The 2021 GMC Yukon came equipped with numerous advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Denali trim offered adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking. The ADAS operated smoothly, providing a refined driving experience. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the Yukon's substantial curb weight offered a sense of security.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger chassis and standard airbags, with additional driver assist technologies available on higher trims. It earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Outback's safety features, including blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking, contributed to its high safety ratings.