2023 Ford Bronco vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Ford Bronco was a standout with its retro-cool styling and modern engineering, offered in nine distinct trim levels. Its blocky, upright shape, wide horizontal grille, and big round headlights were unmistakable, even from afar. The Base trim had a primitive, bare-bones look with steel wheels, while the Raptor trim showcased a wide stance, elevated height, and massive tires. The Heritage trim added nostalgic elements like a white grille, roof, and wheels, along with plaid seat upholstery. The interior continued the rugged theme with a broad dash, sealed switches, and waterproof materials, emphasizing durability over luxury. Despite some creaking over bumps, it was quieter than a Jeep Wrangler.

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its familiar look with minor tweaks to the Wilderness trim, including a new front fascia and LED fog lights. The dark gray cladding contrasted nicely with the Autumn Green Metallic color, offering an appealing aesthetic. Different trims featured varying levels of black and chrome exterior fittings, with tasteful chrome on the Touring trim. Wheel sizes and designs varied, with the Wilderness trim getting matte black wheels. The interior of the top-trim test car was impressive, with Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery providing a luxurious feel. The Outback offered a range of seating materials across trims, from cloth to synthetic leather.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices, starting with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, available with a seven-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The optional 2.7-liter V6 engine increased power to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, while the top-of-the-line Raptor featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All models came with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case. The Bronco excelled in off-road capabilities without sacrificing on-road manners, offering a quieter ride than the Jeep Wrangler. However, its high-riding dimensions required careful handling on curving roads.

The 2024 Subaru Outback was powered by a "Boxer" horizontally opposed engine, with a default 2.5-liter flat-four producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, featured a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a Lineartronic CVT were standard. The turbo powertrain managed the vehicle's weight well, and the CVT mimicked eight distinct gears. The Outback offered a comfortable ride, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, increasing to 9.2 inches in the Wilderness trim, which also included all-terrain tires and advanced X-Mode.

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 model had 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 52.3 cubic feet with seats folded, while the four-door offered 35.6 cubic feet, expanding to 77.6 cubic feet. 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, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

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 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 75.6 cubic feet with rear seats folded. The Outback featured dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat starting with the Premium trim. Higher trims offered additional features like heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Outback's roof rails with retractable cross bars added versatility.

The 2023 Ford Bronco integrated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities, featuring G.O.A.T. drive modes for various terrains and numerous camera views for tight confines. The Trail Turn Assist feature allowed for sharp turns by braking the inside rear wheel. The Bronco also offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an available 12-inch infotainment display for ease of use.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered a mix of old-school and modern technology, with a CD player on the Touring trim and both USB-C and USB-A ports on most trims. The top-trim featured an 11.6-inch infotainment screen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity becoming wireless from the Premium trim. The climate controls were managed through the touchscreen, with hard buttons for defoggers and temperature adjustments. The Outback included Wi-Fi capability, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system on most trims.

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

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. The EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies was standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. The Onyx trim added reverse automatic braking, while the Touring trim featured a wide-angle camera, digital rearview mirror, and driver-attention monitor.