2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

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 fresh design with an 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 synthetic upholstery and lime green contrast stitching. Externally, the Outback maintained a smooth and plain styling, with high gray cladding on its wheel arches and bumpers, and a few chrome accents. It was essentially a lifted wagon, offering a great alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, built on a new platform, was offered in a long-wheelbase version in North America, providing expanded cargo space. Its exterior featured a parametric grille with integrated LED lights, creating a distinctive look. The side profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra's design, with a floating roof effect. The rear showcased toothy LED taillights, adding to its standout design. Depending on the trim, the Tucson rode on 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels, with high-end trims featuring premium fascias and a panoramic sunroof. The Tucson's cabin was well-appointed, with stain-resistant cloth seats standard and leather-trimmed seats available on higher trims. Its interior design emphasized spaciousness with horizontal lines and an uncluttered aesthetic.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered a 2.5-litre boxer flat-four engine with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. This setup struggled with the vehicle's weight, especially when loaded, resulting in slow and noisy performance. However, the XT trims featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing a significant performance boost. The Outback's AWD system was proactive, always driving all four wheels and offering excellent off-road capability with features like X-Mode for tougher conditions. Fuel efficiency for the turbo XT was slightly lower than the base engine, but the performance gains were worth it.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with two powertrain options: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine and an electric motor, delivering 226 combined horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain offered more engaging driving dynamics and better fuel efficiency. The Tucson's AWD system performed well in off-road conditions, similar to Subaru's reactive AWD system. The hybrid model was notably more fuel-efficient than the ICE version, with a combined rating of 6.4 L/100 km.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive ground clearance, allowing it to tackle rough terrains without being oversized. Inside, it offered 2,144 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cabin provided ample headroom and legroom, with excellent visibility due to thin pillars and large windows. 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 integrated roof rails and crossbars, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson's new platform provided more space for passengers and cargo. It offered a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat as standard, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. The cabin was spacious, with more passenger volume than competitors like the CR-V and RAV4. The rear seats offered generous legroom, and the cargo area provided 1,095 litres of space. The Tucson's interior was well-equipped, with features like a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, heated front seats, and available ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.

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. The EyeSight system, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. Despite its dated interface, the system provided good semi-automated control on highways.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson featured a robust set of standard tech features, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a fully digital instrument cluster. The touchpoints on the centre console were integrated into a flat surface, requiring drivers to rely on steering wheel controls and voice commands. The system was responsive, though the narrow steering wheel controls were less user-friendly.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a strong and stiff chassis, with standard airbags and driver-assist technologies. It earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. However, it offered a comprehensive suite of safety features through Hyundai SmartSense, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and rear occupant alert. Additional features like blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control were available on higher trims.