2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE had a design that was considered adequate but not particularly striking. Its exterior, while promising with an aggressive nose and sloping hood, lost its appeal past the A-pillar, resembling older models. Despite efforts to enhance its appearance with flat taillights and a contoured rear, it lacked the refined proportions of competitors like BMW or Audi. However, the interior was a different story, offering a luxurious experience with high-quality materials and a bold red and black colour scheme. The interior design was praised for its layout and textures, although some controls felt flimsy. Overall, the GLE exuded a sense of luxury, but required significant options to truly feel upscale.

The 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models. While the base trim had a less appealing dashboard, higher trims featured a modern 11.6-inch portrait display, enhancing the interior's freshness. Quality materials were evident, with substantial window switches and dash padding. The Outdoor XT trim offered durable, water-resistant upholstery with vibrant stitching, adding a touch of flair. Externally, the Outback's styling was smooth and plain, with practical gray cladding for protection. Despite minimal changes for 2021, the Outback remained a lifted wagon, offering a unique alternative to typical crossovers and SUVs.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled as a versatile vehicle with advanced air suspension and turbocharging. The GLE 350 featured a reliable coil-sprung setup, while the GLE 450 offered AIRMATIC air springs for adaptive comfort. The AMG models boasted AMG Ride Control+ and E-Active Body Control, providing exceptional handling and ride quality. The GLE 53 Coupe included an electric supercharger for instant throttle response, although it wasn't as thrilling as expected. All GLE models, except the base, were hybrids with EQ Boost, enhancing performance but not significantly improving fuel efficiency. The GLE's towing capacity was impressive, and its driving experience was exceptional, with precise steering and a comfortable ride.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine struggled with its weight, offering 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, resulting in sluggish performance. The XT trim, with a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine, delivered 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving performance. While not focused on speed, the Outback prioritized safety and capability. The XT's fuel efficiency was slightly lower than the base engine, but the trade-off was worthwhile. The Outback's handling was forgiving, with excellent ride comfort and off-road capability. Subaru's AWD system was proactive, providing superior traction and control, especially with X-Mode for challenging conditions.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered spacious interiors, with optional third-row seating for seven. The Coupe variant accommodated five, but rear space felt constrained due to its design. Cargo capacity was generous, with 630 litres behind the second row and 2,055 litres with all rows folded. The Coupe had slightly less space. The MBUX infotainment system improved usability, with intuitive controls and a simplified interface. However, some features required setup before driving, and the steering wheel thumbpads were less user-friendly.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive ground clearance and interior space, with 2,144 litres of cargo capacity with seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cabin offered ample headroom and legroom, with excellent visibility. Storage solutions were practical, with large pockets and convenient compartments. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were not standard on lower trims. The Outback's standout feature was its integrated roof rails and crossbars, offering easy installation for roof racks. The 11.6-inch touchscreen complicated climate controls but was generally responsive and useful.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant for gesture control. The system was user-friendly, with search bars and larger type for easy navigation. AMG models included a Track Pace app for racing enthusiasts. The GLE offered advanced features like Seat Kinetics, ambient lighting, and a natural voice assistant. The head-up display and instrument panel were customizable, and the navigation system provided augmented reality directions. The GLE's technology was extensive, offering more features than most users would fully utilize.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. Despite this, it offered modern tech like adaptive cruise control and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight provided adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on cameras, affecting performance in certain conditions. The single large screen was more cohesive than the base model's dual-screen setup, offering better usability and attractiveness.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE received top safety ratings, including the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star NHTSA rating. It offered a range of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist. Pre-Safe Sound and Pre-Safe Impulse Side enhanced crash protection, while advanced braking and stability control systems improved safety.

The 2021 Subaru Outback also earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star NHTSA rating. It featured a strong chassis, standard airbags, and advanced driver assist technology. Blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking were available on higher trims, while the driver-attention monitor was limited to top trims. The Outback's safety features provided excellent protection and peace of mind.