2020 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premier trim, equipped with a more powerful engine, all-wheel drive (AWD), a power panoramic sunroof, and the Confidence and Convenience II option package, had a total price of $40,040, including the $1,195 destination charge. This price seemed steep, but Chevrolet factored in expected rebates and incentives. For instance, at the time, Chevy was offering a $4,500 discount before any price negotiation. The Equinox Premier boasted a clean design without overt SUV styling cues, looking especially appealing on its 19-inch wheels. Gray contrast cladding covered the lower perimeter, reducing visual height, while roof rails and extra chrome detailing highlighted its top-tier status.

Inside, the Equinox Premier featured Jet Black and Brandy leather, a panoramic glass sunroof, and polished metallic interior accents, giving it an upscale appearance. However, the feel was somewhat compromised by the presence of hard and shiny plastic, which was more acceptable at a lower price point. The high-contrast cabin looked luxurious but didn't entirely feel that way.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. The analog gauges, steering wheel design, and seat forms were similar to previous versions. However, the interior was fresher, especially in trims above the base model, which featured two 7-inch touchscreens in matte plastic. Higher trims boasted an 11.6-inch portrait display, bright and sharp, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Onyx Edition XT test car had gray and black StarTex upholstery with lime green contrast stitching, adding a touch of wildness to the otherwise conservative design.

Externally, the Outback featured high gray cladding on its wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, protecting the paint from scratches. The styling was smooth and plain, with a balanced and stable appearance. For 2021, changes were minimal, with a new brown paint option and standard adaptive LED headlights. The Outback's standout feature was its lifted wagon design, making it a great alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered two engine options. The standard turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine produced 170 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 203 pound-feet of torque between 2,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm. This engine powered either the front or all four wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. In a rented AWD LS model, the Equinox averaged 24.3 mpg, below the EPA's 28 mpg combined rating. For better performance and towing capacity, the 2.0-liter turbo engine was available, delivering 252 hp at 5,500 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm. This engine, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, provided lively acceleration and averaged 22.1 mpg, slightly below the EPA's 24 mpg combined rating. Both versions had firm ride qualities and more road and wind noise than desirable. The Premier's 19-inch wheels and 235/50 tires made it feel more athletic on winding roads, with well-controlled body motions and natural steering and braking response.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base 2.5-liter flat-four engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This combination struggled to move the vehicle, especially when loaded, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trim offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm, providing a significant performance improvement. The turbo engine was quieter, smoother, and more powerful than the older 3.6-liter flat-six it replaced. The XT's fuel economy was slightly lower, with an EPA-estimated 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway compared to the base engine's 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. The Outback's handling was squishy, but its ride comfort and tranquil behavior were excellent. The vehicle's 8.7 inches of ground clearance and long-travel springs allowed it to handle rough roads and off-road conditions effectively. Subaru's electronically-variable AWD system provided proactive torque distribution, enhancing the vehicle's off-road capabilities.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox LS rental had cloth upholstery with a 10-way power driver's seat, while the Premier trim featured leather, an 8-way power front passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. Both trims were comfortable but could benefit from longer seat cushions for better thigh support. The sliding rear seat maximized passenger or cargo space, with generous legroom in the rearmost position. The Premier trim included rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. Cargo volume was 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The cabin had ample storage, including a large center console storage bin and various bins, trays, and cubbies.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cargo area was wide, flat, and free of intrusive wheel arches. Headroom and legroom were ample in all seating positions, with comfortable and supportive seats. Outward visibility was excellent, thanks to thin pillars and lots of glass. Storage 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 other expensive options. The Onyx Edition XT had a full-size spare alloy wheel and tire, while other trims had a steel wheel on a doughnut. The standard roof rails with integrated crossbars were a standout feature, providing easy and cost-effective cargo management. The 11.6-inch touchscreen complicated climate controls but was generally responsive and useful.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered several infotainment systems with 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen displays. All systems included Bluetooth pairing for two devices, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Chevrolet Connected Access services. Upgrades included a high-definition display, cloud connectivity, improved voice recognition, HD Radio, satellite radio, navigation, and a Bose premium sound system. The basic setup in the LS rental worked well, while the Premier trim had a high-definition 8-inch touchscreen and Bose sound system. The Equinox's technology was intuitive and easy to use, with optional wireless smartphone charging and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system.

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, the system included modern tech like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The single large screen in higher trims was more cohesive and useful than the dual-screen setup in the base model. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system offered good semi-automated control but relied solely on forward-looking cameras, which could be impeded in certain conditions.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, a safe following distance monitor, and automatic high-beam headlights. A reversing camera, rear-seat reminder system, and Teen Driver technology were also standard. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control, lane change warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Equinox earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, making it a safe SUV. However, blind-spot warning needed to be more accessible, which Chevy planned to address in 2022.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was optional on Premium and standard on higher trims. Rear emergency braking was optional on the Onyx Edition XT and standard on the Limited 2.5 and Touring trims. A driver-attention monitor was standard on the Limited XT and Touring trims. The Outback earned a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and top ratings in all crash tests. The NHTSA gave the 2021 Outback an overall five-star rating, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and for rollover resistance.