2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was a testament to the brand's ability to evolve its design language while maintaining its core identity. Known for its conservative styling, Volvo managed to infuse the XC90 with more character, yet it remained unmistakably a Volvo. The vehicle retained traditional styling cues like a boxy profile and a blunt front end, but with softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights featuring "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The XC90's interior embraced "Swedish minimalism," offering high-quality materials and thoughtful design. The matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery added a unique touch, while the Orrefors crystal shifter provided a high-end feel, albeit slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained cabin.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a sense of familiarity, even after its redesign for the 2020 model year. The interior felt fresh, especially in trims above the base, which featured a bright 11.6-inch portrait display. Quality was evident in the materials, with the Outdoor XT trim offering water-resistant upholstery and lime green stitching for a more adventurous look. The exterior design was practical, with high gray cladding to protect against scratches and a smooth, balanced silhouette. The Outback's standout feature was its lifted wagon design, providing an alternative to typical crossovers and SUVs. Despite its modern updates, the Outback retained a sense of continuity with its predecessors, offering a comfortable and capable driving experience.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all centred around a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 variant added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors for a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. All models came with all-wheel drive in Canada. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 engines. The plug-in hybrid's Pure mode was limited to low speeds, and the gasoline engine often had to assist. However, the XC90 excelled in luxury, with a smooth ride and quiet cabin, thanks to an optional air-suspension system. It also offered a respectable towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine was a 2.5-litre boxer flat-four, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine struggled to move the Outback's weight, especially when loaded, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving performance. The XT engine was quieter, smoother, and more capable of keeping up with traffic. While the turbo XT's fuel efficiency was slightly lower than the base engine, it was more efficient when weighed down. The Outback's handling was designed for comfort, with long-travel springs and high ground clearance for off-road capability. Subaru's AWD system was proactive, providing excellent traction in various conditions, and the X-Mode feature optimized performance for challenging terrains.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom across all three rows. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. A power sunroof and upright roof profile enhanced the sense of space. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with massage, but the steering wheel was not power-adjustable. Storage space was limited, with a shallow centre console and minimal storage options. Cargo capacity was 317 litres with all seats in place, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with the second and third rows folded. The XC90 offered a hands-free power tailgate for convenience.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive ground clearance, allowing it to tackle rough terrains without being oversized. Inside, it offered 2,144 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, with ample headroom and legroom in all seating positions. Visibility was excellent, thanks to thin pillars and large windows. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front 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 roof rails with integrated crossbars, allowing for easy installation of roof racks. The 11.6-inch touchscreen complicated climate controls but offered large icons and responsive performance.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which prioritized simplicity and functionality. It included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. The system was easy to use, with a tablet-like interface and minimal analog controls. However, the text and typeface made reading menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and only second-row USB-C ports were available. Optional features included a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system felt dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. The central screen in the instrument panel was particularly outdated. Despite this, the system offered modern features like SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The single large screen was more cohesive and useful than the base model's dual-screen setup. Subaru EyeSight was standard, providing adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on cameras, which limited its functionality compared to systems with radar.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests and "Superior" ratings for front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Subaru Outback was built on a stronger chassis and included standard airbags for driver and passenger safety. It was a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+," with top ratings in crash tests and forward emergency braking. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test. The Outback offered a range of driver-assist features, with blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking standard on higher trims.