2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 GMC Terrain

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. Its interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a modern 11.6-inch portrait display surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim, offering a fresh look compared to the outdated dashboard of the smaller Crosstrek. The Outback's quality was evident in its substantial window switches, dash padding, and surface materials, with higher trims offering a luxury car impression through two-tone leather upholstery. The Outdoor XT trim, with its water-resistant synthetic upholstery and lime green stitching, added a touch of wildness to the otherwise conservative design. Externally, the Outback's styling was smooth and plain, with high gray cladding for protection and a few chrome accents, maintaining its lifted wagon identity.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and sport-terrain tires, with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. Our test vehicle, with Ebony Twilight metallic paint and a black leather interior, was equipped with several packages, including the Tech Package and Infotainment Package II, raising its price significantly. Despite its entry-level status, the Terrain's interior materials and execution did not fully meet expectations, with a head-up display on a clear plastic panel and pushbutton transmission controls that were not intuitive. The AT4's caramel-coloured contrast stitching added a touch of luxury, but overall, the cabin did not reflect the craftsmanship GMC claimed.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was defined by its two engine options. The base 2.5-litre boxer flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, struggled with the vehicle's weight, especially when loaded with passengers and cargo. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) further hampered its performance, making it slow and noisy. However, the turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine available in the XT trims offered a significant improvement, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, making the Outback more capable and refined. Despite the XT's slightly lower fuel efficiency, its performance was worth the extra cost. The Outback's handling was forgiving, with a focus on ride comfort and off-road capability, thanks to its high ground clearance and proactive all-wheel-drive system.

The 2022 GMC Terrain, powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, produced 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. While the engine's power delivery required some adjustment, the nine-speed automatic transmission helped maintain the torque band. The Terrain's performance was adequate compared to its competitors, but the absence of the previously available turbocharged 2.0-litre engine was noticeable. The Terrain AT4 offered different driving modes, including FWD, AWD, and Off-Road, but torque steer was an issue in FWD mode. The Terrain's ride was smooth on highways and city streets, but its off-road capability was limited by its ground clearance and suspension tuning. The sport-terrain tires provided little grip, and the overall driving experience was dull, with numb steering and brakes.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space and practicality. With 2,144 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised, the Outback's cargo area was wide and flat, free of intrusive elements. The cabin provided ample headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seats. Visibility was excellent, aided by thin pillars and large windows. Storage solutions were abundant, 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 easy installation of a roof rack.

The 2022 GMC Terrain's interior was roomy for a compact crossover, with numerous comfort-enhancing features. The AT4 trim included power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat was spacious, with plenty of legroom and foot room. Storage solutions were plentiful, with various slots and shelves throughout the cabin. Cargo space measured 838 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,792 litres with the rear seat folded. The Terrain also offered a large storage bin under the trunk floor and the ability to fold the front passenger seat for longer items.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, while functional, appeared outdated with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. The system included standard features like SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with optional navigation. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, provided adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on cameras, which could be less effective in certain conditions.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and GMC Connected Services. Our test vehicle had the Infotainment Package II, adding connected navigation and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was excellent, accurately responding to various prompts. The Terrain also offered a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The Tire Fill Alert system and remote engine starting were additional conveniences.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a strong and stiff chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking were available on higher trims. The Outback earned a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and received top ratings in crash tests. The NHTSA awarded the Outback an overall five-star rating, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, with a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain at the time of review.