2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

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 a bright and sharp 11.6-inch portrait display, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Outback's quality was evident in its substantial window switches, dash padding, and surface materials. 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, sills, and bumpers, emphasizing its lifted wagon design.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota RAV4, a mature crossover SUV, continued to be a sales leader in Canada. Its exterior styling, while fitting in with current crossover designs, featured angular flourishes and crisp lines that contrasted with the body-side bends. The RAV4's expressive headlights and grille gave it a playful yet aggressive look. Inside, the RAV4 boasted a layered dash with contrasting textures and colours, anchored by a straightforward centre stack. The interior design included a circuit-board-inspired geometric pattern that tied various cabin areas together, enhancing the overall aesthetic.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was marked by its two engine options. The base model's 2.5-litre boxer flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, struggled with the vehicle's weight, resulting in slow and noisy performance. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, providing a significant improvement in capability and refinement. The Outback's handling was designed for long-distance cruising, with a comfortable ride and impressive off-road capabilities, thanks to its electronically-variable AWD and X-Mode features.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered three powertrains, with the gasoline-only model featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid combined a similar engine with an electric motor for 217 combined horsepower, while the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid delivered 302 horsepower. The RAV4's performance was smooth and immediate, with an eight-speed automatic transmission providing familiar sensations. The RAV4's handling was car-like, with a four-wheel independent suspension and dynamic torque vectoring for improved cornering. The RAV4 Prime's plug-in hybrid capability allowed for up to 68 kilometres of electric-only 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. The cabin provided ample headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seats. The Outback's storage solutions included large map pockets, bottle holders, and a handy 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 for roof racks.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, while classified as a small SUV, provided up to 1,977 litres of cargo space with the second row folded and 1,059 litres with it raised. The RAV4's towing capacity varied by model, with Trail and TRD Off-Road models capable of towing up to 1,588 kilograms. Inside, the RAV4 offered a roomy and comfortable space for four adults, with plenty of storage options throughout the cabin. The front seats provided ample legroom and headroom, while the second-row middle seat was less desirable but functional.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, while functional, appeared dated with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. Despite this, it offered modern features like adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, provided driver-assist features like 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 Toyota RAV4 came equipped with a robust technology suite, including a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Higher trims offered a 9-inch touchscreen with an 11-speaker JBL audio system and navigation. The RAV4 Prime featured advanced technology like multiple USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and a head-up display. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, standard on all models, included a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a strong and stiff chassis, with standard airbags and driver-assist technologies. It earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four stars in some specific tests. The Outback's safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking on higher trims.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came with Toyota's Star Safety System, offering a range of safety features like stability control, traction control, and anti-lock braking. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 provided additional driver-assist systems, including adaptive cruise control and lane-departure alert. The RAV4 earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, with the RAV4 Prime achieving a "Top Safety Pick+" rating.