2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a clever adaptation of the Impreza hatchback, designed to capture the growing interest in crossovers. It featured rugged aesthetics, standard all-wheel drive (AWD), and a higher driving position, which were key attractions for buyers. The Crosstrek distinguished itself from the Impreza with black body cladding, model-specific alloy wheels, and a taller ride height, offering 22 centimetres of ground clearance. This gave it a more SUV-like appearance and character, enhanced by vibrant colour options like Plasma Yellow Pearl. Despite its SUV mimicry, the Crosstrek retained the Subaru Global Platform, shared with models like the Legacy/Outback, ensuring a refined driving experience.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned in 2020, maintained a familiar and comfortable feel, reminiscent of older Subaru models. Its interior was more modern than the Crosstrek's, especially in trims above the base, which featured an 11.6-inch portrait display. The Outback's quality was evident in its materials and design, with higher trims offering a luxury-like experience. The exterior was smooth and plain, with high grey cladding for protection. The Outback's design remained consistent, emphasizing its identity as a lifted wagon, making it a unique alternative to typical crossovers and SUVs.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two engine options. The Outdoor and Limited trims featured a new 2.5-litre boxer-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. Other trims continued with the 2.0-litre engine, delivering 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. The boxer engine's design provided a lower centre of gravity, enhancing handling, although the SUV-like stance reduced some benefits. A six-speed manual transmission was available with the 2.0-litre engine, but most buyers preferred the CVT, which was standard on Sport and Limited trims. All trims had AWD, with X-Mode for better traction on loose surfaces. Despite its SUV aspirations, the Crosstrek was more suited for pavement, offering predictable handling and a comfortable ride.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine was a 2.5-litre boxer flat-four, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. However, it struggled with the vehicle's weight, especially when loaded, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trims offered a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving performance. The Outback prioritized comfort over speed, with a smooth ride and excellent off-road capability, thanks to its high ground clearance and advanced AWD system. The XT's fuel efficiency was slightly lower than the base engine, but the performance gains justified the cost.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared its interior dimensions with the Impreza hatchback, offering competitive passenger space but limited cargo capacity. It provided 588 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,565 litres with them folded. While it surpassed some competitors in cargo space, it lagged behind others like the Honda HR-V. The Crosstrek featured a rear-seat reminder system and a practical front cubby with USB ports, but rear passengers had limited access to charging ports. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, but visibility was excellent due to large windows.

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. Its cargo area was wide and flat, maximizing usability. The Outback offered ample headroom and legroom, with comfortable seating and excellent visibility. Storage options were plentiful, with large door pockets and a well-designed centre console. 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, providing convenient and cost-effective storage solutions.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek featured the Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch screen on higher trims. It offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with navigation available on the Limited trim. The system was user-friendly, with large analog controls for essential functions. EyeSight driver-assistance features were accessible via steering wheel buttons, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older technology. However, it offered modern features like adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The single large screen was more cohesive than the dual-screen setup on the base model. EyeSight was standard, providing adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and emergency braking. The system relied on cameras, which could be less effective in certain conditions compared to radar-based systems.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS. It offered standard EyeSight features on CVT-equipped models, including adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning. Additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring were available on higher trims. The EyeSight system's camera placement provided protection but limited functionality in certain conditions.

The 2021 Subaru Outback was built on a stronger chassis, with standard airbags and advanced safety features. It earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking were standard on higher trims, with a driver-attention monitor available on top trims. The Outback's safety features were comprehensive, providing excellent protection and assistance.