2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but mundane, standing out among midsize SUVs with its distinctive design. Its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille made a bold statement, while the character line along its side echoed the sporty profile of the Supra. The rear taillights, reminiscent of a Lexus model, added a touch of sophistication. The Highlander XSE trim introduced a sportier front end and suspension tuning, though it was more about appearance than performance. Inside, the Limited trim offered a luxurious experience with high-quality materials, including tan leather seats and wood details, making it a comfortable choice for families prioritizing comfort and convenience.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older Subaru models. While the base trim featured dual 7-inch touchscreens, higher trims boasted an 11.6-inch portrait display, enhancing the interior's modernity. The Outback's quality was evident in its substantial materials and comfortable seating, with the Outdoor XT trim offering water-resistant upholstery for added durability. Externally, the Outback's styling was smooth and plain, with high gray cladding for protection. Its standout feature was its lifted wagon design, providing an alternative to typical crossovers and SUVs, while maintaining a balance of style and functionality.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options. While not designed for high-speed thrills, the Highlander provided smooth and reliable performance, comparable to competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. The XSE trim added sportier suspension tuning, enhancing driving excitement without compromising family-focused practicality.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-litre boxer flat-four engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine struggled with the Outback's weight, resulting in sluggish performance. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving performance. The Outback's handling was designed for comfort, with long-travel springs and high ground clearance for off-road capability. Subaru's proactive all-wheel-drive system and X-Mode further enhanced its off-road prowess, making it a versatile choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and functionality. It featured convenient shelves for front passengers, ample legroom in the second row, and flexible seating arrangements. However, the third row was best suited for children or short trips. Cargo space was limited with all seats up, offering 453 litres, but expanded to 1,150 litres with the third row folded and 2,245 litres with both rear rows down, accommodating various storage needs.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space, with 2,144 litres of cargo capacity when the rear seats were folded and 920 litres with them raised. Its wide and flat cargo area, along with ample headroom and legroom, ensured comfort for all passengers. The Outback's storage solutions, including large map pockets and bottle holders, added convenience. While some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were not standard, the Outback's integrated roof rails and crossbars were a standout feature, providing easy installation for roof racks and other items.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch option on the Platinum trim. While the infotainment system was user-friendly, navigation struggled with points of interest. Standard features included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity. The JBL audio system, available from the Limited grade, offered decent sound quality, though the large screen's limited app display raised questions about its value.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older technology. However, it offered modern features like adaptive cruise control and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, provided advanced driver assistance features, though its reliance on cameras without radar limited its functionality in certain conditions. The single large screen, despite its flaws, was more cohesive and user-friendly than the dual-screen setup on the base model.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander boasted Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support. Additional features like adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring were standard. The Highlander received top safety ratings, earning five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger chassis and standard airbags, with additional safety features available on higher trims. It earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, with top ratings in crash tests and forward emergency braking. The NHTSA awarded it five stars overall, though it received four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.