2021 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Audi Q7

The 2020 Audi Q7 offered multiple variations, including the 45 TFSI with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the 55 TFSI with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. A performance-tuned Audi SQ7 with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 was also available. For this evaluation, the Q7 55 TFSI, starting at $60,800, was examined. The test vehicle, upgraded to the Prestige trim and equipped with Navarra Blue metallic paint, a Cold Weather Package, and a Towing Package, totaled $74,290. Design changes in 2020 updated the Q7’s front and rear styling, wheels, and lighting elements, aligning it with the flagship Q8 model. The test vehicle featured 20-inch turbine-style wheels with 285/45 Pirelli Scorpion Verde run-flat all-season tires.

Inside, the Q7 adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, replacing most physical controls with three digital displays. The Virtual Cockpit panel provided various configurations, while two touch-sensing screens on the center console handled infotainment functions. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather with Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash natural wood inlays, exuded an upscale and high-tech appearance. The Prestige’s standard multi-color ambient lighting added a soothing vibe at night.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for 2020, retained a familiar and comfortable feel. The analog gauges, steering wheel, and seats had similar forms to older models. However, the interior was fresher, especially in trims above the base, which featured a bright and sharp 11.6-inch portrait display. The display, standard on Premium and above trims, sat flush against polished black plastic with chrome trim and a few physical buttons. The Onyx Edition XT test car featured gray and black StarTex upholstery with lime green contrast stitching, adding a wild touch to the otherwise practical interior.

The Outback’s exterior featured gray cladding on the wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, with smooth and plain styling. Changes for 2021 included a new brown paint option and standard adaptive LED headlights. The Outback’s lifted wagon design made it a great alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs, maintaining a balanced and stable appearance.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI debuted a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, generating 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The engine featured a 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system, conserving fuel through extended automatic engine stop/start and coasting with the engine off. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive system, the Q7 offered several driving modes, including Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Individual, and Allroad. The 55 TFSI drivetrain accelerated the 5,082-pound SUV from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, with a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds. The EPA estimated 18 mpg combined, with the test vehicle averaging 21 mpg on a road trip and 18.1 mpg on a local loop.

The Prestige trim included an adaptive air suspension, adjustable through Audi Drive Select. The Q7 handled off-road trails with ease in Allroad drive mode and Off-Road suspension settings. On pavement, the Q7 provided speedy acceleration, with Dynamic mode eliminating lazy off-the-line response. The mild-hybrid technology operated transparently, maintaining climate control during extended engine shut-offs. The Q7 proved agile in town, athletic on winding roads, and stable on freeways, with a remarkably quiet cabin thanks to dual-pane acoustic side window glass.

The 2021 Subaru Outback’s base 2.5-liter flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, struggled to move the vehicle efficiently, especially when loaded. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) exacerbated the issue, making the Outback slow and noisy. The XT trim, with a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine, offered a significant improvement, generating 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The XT engine was quieter, smoother, and more powerful, with an EPA-estimated 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

The Outback’s handling was squishy, with imprecise steering, but it excelled as a long-distance cruiser. The ride comfort and ground clearance of 8.7 inches allowed the Outback to handle rough roads and off-road conditions effectively. Subaru’s electronically-variable AWD system provided proactive torque distribution, with X-Mode optimizing performance for tougher conditions. The Onyx Edition added driving modes for snow and mud, making the Outback more proficient off-road than many crossovers and SUVs.

The 2020 Audi Q7, with three rows of seats, was best used as a five-passenger vehicle. The third-row seat, suitable only for young children, required sliding the second-row seats forward and significantly reduced cargo space when in use. With the third-row seat folded, cargo capacity expanded from 14.2 cubic feet to 35.7 cubic feet, and with both rows folded, it reached 69.6 cubic feet. The Q7’s front seats were comfortable for long trips, and the second-row seats provided ample legroom and thigh support. The test vehicle’s four-zone climate control, heated rear cushions, and rear side window shades ensured passenger comfort in varying temperatures. However, interior storage was limited, with the center console and dashboard screen taking up most of the available space.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered substantial interior space, with 76 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cargo area was wide, flat, and free of intrusive elements. Headroom and legroom were ample in all seating positions, and outward visibility was excellent. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front center console and passenger-side dash. However, push-button start and rear climate vents were standard only on higher trims, and the moonroof was bundled with expensive options. The Outback’s best feature was the standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, which could be swiveled and locked in place within seconds.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch touchscreen with an 8.6-inch touchscreen. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation with Google Earth imagery, and Audi Connect subscription services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. While the system was generally intuitive, dry fingertips often made the virtual buttons unresponsive. The Prestige trim included a full-color head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, which was replaced by a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen system in 2021.

The 2021 Subaru Outback’s infotainment system looked dated, with graphics and typefaces reminiscent of older gaming consoles. The central screen in the instrument panel was particularly outdated. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the optional navigation was more modern. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system relied on forward-looking cameras, which could be impeded in certain conditions, reducing functionality.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured HD Matrix LED headlights, which provided excellent illumination but were rated "poor" by the IIHS for excessive glare. The Q7 included numerous advanced driving-assistance systems (ADAS), with upgrades available in the Executive Package or Prestige trim. Highlights included Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist with traffic-jam and lane-centering assistance. However, the traffic-sign-recognition technology and Active Lane Assist proved problematic. The Q7 received the highest IIHS ratings for collision protection, except for the "poor" headlight assessment.

The 2021 Subaru Outback rode on a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. More driver assists were available on specific trims, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear emergency braking, and a driver-attention monitor. The Outback was a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+," earning top ratings in all crash tests and for headlights, as well as a "Superior" rating for forward emergency braking. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Outback five stars overall, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and for the rollover test.