2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

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11.6-inch portrait display surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim, offering a fresh look compared to the outdated dashboard of the smaller Crosstrek.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 two-tone leather upholstery that mimicked luxury. The exterior maintained a smooth and plain styling with high gray cladding for protection, adaptive LED headlights, and a new brown paint option, emphasizing its identity as a lifted wagon.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender, while not undergoing major exterior changes, remained distinctive with its boxy profile and retro elements like a tailgate-mounted spare wheel. Its modern design included rounded corners for aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights, while its larger size improved interior space and ergonomics. The interior balanced rugged character with functionality, featuring bare metal and exposed screws alongside leather and suede upholstery. The Defender's design allowed for off-road capability without compromising on-road comfort, making it a versatile choice for both urban and adventurous settings.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine, a 2.5-litre boxer flat-four, produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, struggling to move the vehicle efficiently when fully loaded. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) further hindered performance, making the Outback slow and noisy. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving performance and refinement. Despite the turbo engine's slightly lower fuel efficiency, it provided a better driving experience. The Outback excelled in ride comfort and off-road capability, with its electronically-variable AWD system and X-Mode enhancing traction and stability.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 296 hp, a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid with 395 hp, and a new 5.0-litre V8 producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. The V8 engine delivered exhilarating performance, achieving 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD with a two-speed transfer case. The Defender's suspension provided impressive on-road comfort, while its off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like Terrain Response 2 and All-Terrain Progress Control. The Defender also boasted a 3,500-kilogram towing capacity, surpassing many luxury SUVs.

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 wide and flat cargo area, along with ample headroom and legroom, provided comfort for passengers. The Outback's design prioritized visibility, with thin pillars and large windows. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and a front centre console with handy pockets. 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 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, with the two-door Defender 90 offering limited cargo space but maintaining classic styling and off-road agility. The four-door Defender 110 provided more versatility, with two-row and three-row configurations offering up to 1,875 litres of cargo space. The interior emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space and a spacious centre-console storage bin. Optional features included a basket-style roof rack and side-mounted cargo boxes, enhancing the Defender's cargo-carrying capabilities.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, while functional, appeared dated with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. The system included standard features like SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, but the user interface was cumbersome. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking, though it relied solely on cameras, limiting its effectiveness in certain conditions.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender's Pivi Pro infotainment system featured a 10-inch central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on most trims, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The interface was user-friendly, though the screen required a firm touch. Standard features included a surround-view camera system, with optional upgrades like a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display, enhancing the Defender's technological offerings.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted a strong and stiff chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. Safety features like blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking were available on higher trims. The Outback earned a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, demonstrating its commitment to safety.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control as an option. While lacking safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, the Defender's safety features aligned with those of other luxury brands.