2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, more handsome than the Land Rover Discovery. The latest model refined its upscale, utilitarian design by slimming down the body panels and giving it a lower, more athletic appearance. The widened headlights, extra-large grille, and italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood's edge created a prominent and recognizable face. The ST version, with black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior was a letdown. Despite the high price tag, the materials felt cheap, with low-grade vinyl and rough-grained plastic dominating the cabin. The switchgear felt solid, but the overall interior quality did not match the price, making it feel either too expensive or not nice enough.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, maintained a familiar and comfortable feel. The interior was fresher than the smaller 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, with a bright and sharp 11.6-inch portrait display on Premium and above trims. Quality was evident, with substantial window switches, padding on the dash, and surface materials. The Onyx Edition XT featured gray and black StarTex upholstery with lime green contrast stitching, adding a touch of wildness to the otherwise practical interior. The exterior styling remained smooth and plain, with gray cladding on the wheel arches, sills, and bumpers. The Outback's tall but balanced appearance, combined with its lifted wagon design, made it a great alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engines and a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis, providing a more balanced weight distribution. The ST trim featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The ST's powertrain delivered smooth, uninterrupted power, making it a nimble and responsive vehicle. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft, and a gas-electric hybrid option with a net 318 hp. Towing capacity varied from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the engine. The Explorer's seven drive modes optimized performance for various conditions, making it a versatile and capable SUV.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base 2.5-liter flat-four engine, with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, struggled to move the vehicle efficiently, especially when loaded. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) further hampered performance, making the Outback slow and noisy. However, the XT trim's 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine, with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, transformed the Outback into a more capable and refined vehicle. The Outback's ride comfort and handling were excellent, with long-travel springs and 8.7 inches of ground clearance allowing it to tackle rough roads with ease. Subaru's electronically-variable all-wheel drive (AWD) system provided superior off-road capability, making the Outback a reliable and versatile choice for various driving conditions.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered ample interior space, with comfortable seating for six-foot-tall adults in the third row. The second row featured air vents, USB ports, a center console, and a panoramic moonroof, creating a first-class experience. Cargo space measured 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Explorer's physical knobs and switches made it easy to use, although the thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras created blind spots.

The 2021 Subaru Outback provided 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 elements. Headroom and legroom were ample, and outward visibility was superb. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front center console. However, push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The Outback's standard roof rails and integrated crossbars were a standout feature, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. The Premium Technology Package for ST and Platinum models included a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. While the touchscreen was well-organized and high-resolution, the instrument panel felt unfinished, with wasted screen space and limited customization options. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ semi-automated driving system was available but not as effective as competitors' systems.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system looked dated, with graphics and typefaces reminiscent of older technology. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the optional navigation was more modern-looking. 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 limited its effectiveness in certain conditions.

The 2020 Ford Explorer featured Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. The Explorer had a passenger front knee airbag and scored "Acceptable" in the IIHS small overlap test on the driver's side. The NHTSA had not yet tested the 2020 Explorer.

The 2021 Subaru Outback rode on a stronger and stiffer chassis, with a driver's knee airbag and passenger seat-cushion airbag as standard. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and rear emergency braking were available on higher trims. The Outback earned the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award for 2020, with top ratings in all crash tests and for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Outback an overall five-star rating, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and four stars for the rollover test.