2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift that gave it a more aggressive appearance. It featured redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding, creating the illusion of large air intakes. The addition of a jutting simulated skid plate, fog lights in oversized housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model further enhanced its bold look. While these changes might not appeal to everyone, opting for a dark paint colour could help tone down the design's excesses. The Outback Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented the audacious cladding, offering a more cohesive look.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner retained its classic, albeit outdated, design. Despite its need for a makeover, the 4Runner's boxy shape remained fitting for an all-terrain vehicle. Its flared fenders provided a wide stance, enhancing stability off-road. The rugged personality was further emphasized by the chunky grille and liftgate shapes, while the TRD Pro's underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires added a serious attitude. The beefy tubular roof rack suggested readiness for tough terrains. However, the interior showed its age with old-school styling and outdated technology, including an analog instrument panel and a small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design, which helped lower the vehicle's centre of gravity. The standard engine produced 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. While the CVT made good use of this power at lower speeds, passing and climbing power was limited. The Outback's towing capacity was 1,225 kilograms. Fuel efficiency was below expectations, with a combined rating of 9.2 L/100 km, despite an official rating of 8.3 L/100 km. The turbocharged XT models offered 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing better performance but at the cost of fuel efficiency, with ratings ranging from 9.5 to 10.1 L/100 km.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. However, its five-speed automatic transmission limited its responsiveness compared to competitors like the Bronco and Wrangler. The TRD Pro model came with standard 4WD and a two-speed transfer case. On-road, the 4Runner felt slow, requiring heavy acceleration to merge onto highways. The soft suspension, while beneficial off-road, resulted in rear-end squat during acceleration and nosedive under hard braking. Handling suffered from body roll and floatiness over highway undulations, though the 4Runner remained composed and controllable.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a purposeful roof rack and flat door sill trim. The Limited trim offered a comfortable interior with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Outback provided ample legroom and cargo space, with 923 litres behind the back seat and 2,141 litres with the back seat folded. The vehicle's design made it easy to enter and exit, and the robust roof rails were ready for accessories.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though outdated, offered a straightforward layout with large climate-control dials and driveline levers. The front seats provided ample space, but the steering wheel's limited telescoping range could be an issue for taller drivers. The second row offered generous legroom, though headroom was limited. The 4Runner's cargo capacity was 1,337 litres behind the rear seats, expandable to 2,540 litres with the seats stowed. The sliding glass rear window and hitch receiver added convenience, while the lack of remote seat releases and a powered liftgate were drawbacks.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, featured an 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate control, while other functions were embedded in the touchscreen. The voice recognition system was limited, and the native system struggled with basic commands. Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system, though road noise often obscured the sound quality. Terrain controls in the headliner console required familiarity with the owner's manual for full utilization. The system included Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was equipped with Subaru's EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The system added new pedestrian, cyclist, and automatic steering functions. The Outback received top safety ratings from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems felt artificial, and the rear automatic braking system was incompatible with some driveways.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests but noted "Marginal" and "Poor" results in the small overlap frontal test. The 4Runner included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning, though the systems were often oversensitive.