2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, characterized by its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning with Volvo's signature design elements like the "Thor’s Hammer" LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a retro touch with a contrasting white roof. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, unique badging, and model-specific alloy wheels, alongside a gloss black roof and mirror caps. Its interior was minimalist yet premium, featuring real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a cohesive and upscale environment.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models, yet with a fresher interior than its smaller sibling, the Crosstrek. The Outback's interior, especially in higher trims, offered a luxury feel with two-tone leather upholstery and contrast stitching. Its exterior featured high gray cladding for protection and a smooth, balanced design. The Outback's standout feature was its lifted wagon style, providing a unique alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs, with adaptive LED headlights and a new brown paint option for 2021.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a diverse powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline variants featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 model produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 variant delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, boasted dual electric motors for all-wheel drive, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.4 and 8.5 seconds, respectively. The Recharge also offered a towing capacity of 900 kilograms and featured one-pedal driving for enhanced efficiency.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, on the other hand, retained its traditional 2.5-litre boxer flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine struggled with the Outback's weight, especially when fully loaded. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine, delivering 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving performance. The XT's fuel efficiency was slightly lower than the base engine, but the trade-off was worthwhile for the added power. The Outback excelled in ride comfort and off-road capability, with its high ground clearance and advanced all-wheel-drive system, making it a versatile choice for various terrains.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, while stylish, was not particularly spacious. It offered less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The cargo area was also smaller, with a limited frunk space due to powertrain components. However, Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console and large door bins. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were strategically placed on the dashboard, freeing up door space for storage.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, in contrast, provided ample interior space, with 2,144 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, offering practical storage without awkward cutouts. The Outback's seats were comfortable, with excellent headroom and legroom, and visibility was superb thanks to thin pillars and extensive glass. The Outback also featured innovative roof rails with integrated crossbars, allowing for easy installation of roof racks. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps, while gasoline models retained the previous system. The standard setup included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, offering top-notch graphics and menu layouts. The Recharge model also supported over-the-air updates, enhancing its functionality over time. Notably, the Recharge lacked a start button, simplifying the driving experience by allowing drivers to shift out of park with the key fob present.

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 and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EyeSight system, standard across all trims, provided adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on cameras, which could limit its effectiveness in certain conditions. The optional navigation system was more modern, but the dual-screen setup on base models was less cohesive than the single large screen available on higher trims.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 gasoline model received top safety ratings, including the "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Recharge model featured Volvo's latest sensor suite, capable of future upgrades for advanced driver aids.

The 2021 Subaru Outback also earned the "Top Safety Pick+" designation 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. The Outback's safety features included a driver’s knee airbag, blind-spot monitoring, and reverse automatic braking, with additional driver-assist technologies available on higher trims.