2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Subaru Outback retained its familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models, yet with a fresher interior than its smaller sibling, the Crosstrek. The Outback's interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a bright and sharp 11.6-inch portrait display, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The quality of materials was evident, with substantial window switches and dash padding. The Outdoor XT trim offered a unique touch with water-resistant upholstery and lime green stitching, adding a playful twist to its otherwise practical design. Externally, the Outback maintained its smooth and plain styling, with high gray cladding for protection and a few chrome accents. The 2021 model introduced adaptive LED headlights as standard and a new paint option, Brilliant Bronze Metallic, for select trims.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator exuded elegance and understatement, despite its massive size. Its design featured simple rectilinear shapes, with a few chrome accents to maintain a classy appearance. The Pristine White model, with its monochromatic package, black wheels, and illuminated Lincoln logo, stood out during winter tests. The Navigator's interior was impressive, offering seven colour palettes and a taste for finer details, such as layered wood trim and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The Perfect Position seats provided unparalleled comfort with 30 adjustment options, making the Navigator feel luxurious and spacious. While the Navigator's ride wasn't as supple as some competitors, its overall refinement and power made it a compelling choice for those seeking a plush highway experience.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was a tale of two engines. The base model's 2.5-litre flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, struggled with the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) further hampered its performance, making it slow and noisy. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, transforming the Outback's capabilities. This engine was quieter, smoother, and more powerful, albeit with slightly reduced fuel efficiency. The Outback's handling was forgiving, prioritizing ride comfort and off-road capability, thanks to its high ground clearance and proactive all-wheel-drive system.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, boasted a powerful twin-turbo V6 engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, made the Navigator feel surprisingly agile for its size. Its towing capacity was impressive at 3,765 kilograms. However, its fuel efficiency was poor, with an average consumption fitting the estimated 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres combined rating. While the Navigator's adaptive dampers were standard, its suspension felt less refined compared to some competitors. Despite this, the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined choice for highway driving.

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. Its design ensured ample headroom and legroom, with excellent outward visibility. Storage solutions were plentiful, with large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front centre console. 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 convenience and cost savings.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator provided a vast interior, capable of accommodating six adults comfortably. Its boxy shape contributed to its generous cargo space, with 546 litres behind the third row, 1,627 behind the second, and 2,925 in total. The Navigator Reserve trim featured heated rear seats and a three-zone climate system, though some competitors offered more advanced options. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, enhancing the driving experience. However, parking the Navigator was challenging due to its size, despite the aid of 360-degree cameras.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system felt outdated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered modern features like adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, provided adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking, though it relied solely on cameras, limiting its effectiveness in certain conditions.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system appeared small compared to newer competitors. While it lacked wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the software was intuitive and easy to use. The Navigator offered wireless device charging and a rear entertainment system with Roku media streaming. However, it lacked some advanced features found in competitors, such as onboard apps and wireless software updates.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted a strong and stiff chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. It earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with advanced driver-assist features available on most trims. The Outback's safety credentials were impressive, making it a reliable choice for safety-conscious buyers.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five-star safety ratings from the NHTSA, except for rollover resistance. It offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. However, it lacked knee airbags, and its adaptive cruise control was less advanced than some competitors.