2023 Ford Bronco vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Ford Bronco was a striking blend of retro-cool styling and modern engineering, offered in nine distinct trim levels. Its blocky, upright shape, wide horizontal grille, and big round headlights made it unmistakable from afar. The Base trim had a primitive charm with steel wheels and minimal adornment, while the Raptor trim stood out with its wide stance, elevated height, and massive tires. The Heritage Edition trim added nostalgic touches with a white grille, roof, and wheels, and unique plaid seat upholstery. The interior continued the rugged theme with a broad dash, sealed switches, and waterproof materials, designed more for durability than luxury.

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its familiar look with a few tweaks, such as a new front fascia and LED fog lights on the Wilderness trim. The dark grey cladding contrasted nicely with the Autumn Green Metallic colour, giving it an appealing look. The Outback's interior was surprisingly upscale, especially in the Premier XT trim, with Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery. Different trims offered varying levels of black and chrome exterior fittings, with tasteful chrome on the Premier XT. The interior materials were more refined than expected, with a focus on comfort and convenience, including features like heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices, starting with a 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. It was available with a seven-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The optional 2.7-litre V6 engine increased power to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, while the top-of-the-line Raptor featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All Broncos came with a 4WD drivetrain and a two-speed transfer case. The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than a typical SUV, but it tracked straight on highways and was quieter than a Jeep Wrangler. Its high-riding dimensions required careful handling on curving roads, but it felt more confident than expected.

The 2024 Subaru Outback was powered by a "Boxer" horizontally opposed engine, with a default 2.5-litre flat-four producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, featured a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 1,587 kilograms. Subaru's Symmetrical AWD and a Lineartronic CVT were standard. The turbo engine managed the vehicle's weight better, and the CVT mimicked eight distinct gears. The Outback offered a comfortable ride, with a suspension that contributed to its smoothness. The Wilderness trim provided 24.1 centimetres of ground clearance and all-terrain tires for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space, with the four-door model offering easier access to rear seats. The two-door Bronco had up to 634 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,481 litres with seats folded, while the four-door offered 1,008 litres and 2,197 litres, respectively. However, the rear seats didn't fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer cargo. The Bronco's design allowed for easy removal of fenders and doors, appealing to hardcore off-roaders.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered generous interior space despite its sleeker proportions. It provided more headroom and legroom than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The cargo area measured 923 litres with all seats in place and 2,141 litres with rear seats folded. The Outback featured dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and a heated steering wheel, with ventilation available at the Premier XT trim. The hands-free power liftgate and power moonroof were standard from the Touring trim, and the raised roof rails with retractable cross bars added convenience.

The 2023 Ford Bronco incorporated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities, with G.O.A.T. drive modes optimizing engine and suspension settings for various terrains. Camera views provided visibility in tight spots, and the Trail Turn Assist feature allowed for sharp turns. The Bronco's infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an available 12-inch display for ease of use.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered a mix of old-school and modern technology, with a CD player in the Premier XT trim and both USB-C and USB-A ports. The top-trim test car featured an 11.6-inch infotainment screen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The climate controls were managed through the touchscreen, with hard buttons for defoggers and temperature adjustments. Most trims included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, with Bluetooth and SiriusXM connectivity standard.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received partial crash test results from the NHTSA, with four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded it a "Good" score in most crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and hill-start assist. The Mid package added features like blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist, while the High and Luxe packages offered additional safety technologies.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies was standard, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. Reverse automatic braking was standard from the Touring trim, and the Premier XT featured a digital rearview mirror and driver-attention monitor. The Outback's safety features were comprehensive, with a focus on preventing accidents and protecting occupants.