2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Toyota Venza

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11.6-inch portrait display surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim, offering a fresh look compared to the outdated dashboard of the smaller Crosstrek.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, however, opted for water-resistant synthetic upholstery with lime green stitching, adding a touch of ruggedness. 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, which made it a great alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Venza, reintroduced for the 2021 model year, boasted a modern exterior design with excellent proportions, fitting comfortably into the Lexus lineup. Its most striking feature was the deeply scalloped body side, emphasizing power, while the tailgate featured a horizontal LED stripe. The Venza's nose had a prominent overhang, making it more suited for urban environments than off-road adventures. Inside, the Venza offered a Lexus-like elegant interior with high-quality materials and a layered dash. The placement of the touchscreen display was optimal, and the front seats provided comfort and support, with the rear seats accommodating three adults easily. The Venza's design focused on providing a refined and comfortable driving experience, aligning with its midsize crossover SUV segment.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a 2.5-litre boxer flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This powertrain struggled with the Outback's weight, especially when loaded, resulting in slow and noisy performance. 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. The Outback's handling was forgiving, with a focus on ride comfort and off-road capability, thanks to its high ground clearance and electronically-variable AWD system. The X-Mode feature further enhanced its off-road prowess, making it more proficient than many crossovers and SUVs.

The 2022 Toyota Venza, on the other hand, utilized a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine combined with three electric motors, delivering a total of 219 horsepower. This hybrid setup provided a balance of electric and gas drive for optimal efficiency and performance, with the rear electric motors contributing to an AWD drivetrain. The Venza offered multiple drive modes, including an electric-only option for short distances, and regenerative braking to recharge the battery. Its performance was sprightly, with agile handling, although its taller body and higher ground clearance discouraged aggressive cornering. The Venza excelled as a midsize family hauler, delivering a comfortable and efficient ride.

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 all passengers. The Outback's visibility was excellent, thanks to thin pillars and a low shoulder height. Storage options were plentiful, with 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 Venza accommodated five passengers with good headroom and legroom in both rows. The second row offered 114.8 cm of hip room, ensuring comfort for three adults. The cabin felt roomy, especially with the available Star Gaze panoramic sunroof. Convenience features included an overhead console with LED map lights, power-adjustable front seats, and an electric parking brake. The Venza's cargo capacity was 816 litres behind the second row and 1,560 litres with the seats folded. Toyota focused on creating a quiet cabin, using sound-blocking materials throughout, resulting in a serene driving experience.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. Despite this, it offered modern features like adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EyeSight system, standard on all trims, provided adaptive cruise, 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 Venza featured a hybrid powertrain that required no special attention, eliminating range anxiety associated with electric vehicles. Its infotainment system included an eight-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while higher trims offered a 12.3-inch screen, JBL audio system, and a head-up display. The Venza's Predicted Efficient Drive program optimized battery charging based on driving habits, enhancing fuel efficiency. Toyota Connected Services provided additional features like Safety Connect and Remote Connect.

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

The 2022 Toyota Venza came equipped with the Toyota Star Safety System, including stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. It featured eight airbags and the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, offering forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, highlighting its comprehensive safety features.