2021 Subaru Outback vs 2020 GMC Acadia

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium SUV, offering a range of trims from the basic SL to the luxurious Denali. Built on the same platform as the Cadillac XT5, the Acadia aimed to deliver a professional-grade experience. The Denali trim, in particular, featured upscale touches like open-pore wood trim and leather upholstery, though it struggled to fully establish itself as a premium choice due to the presence of hard plastic panels and minimalistic design enhancements. The exterior design changes were more pronounced, with a boxier grille and squared-off headlights that aligned with GMC's rugged aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models but with a fresher interior. The Outback's cabin, especially in higher trims, offered a more luxurious feel with quality materials and a modern 11.6-inch touchscreen. The exterior was practical, with high gray cladding and a smooth, balanced design. The Outback's styling remained consistent, emphasizing its identity as a lifted wagon rather than a traditional SUV, making it a unique alternative in the crossover market.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options, starting with a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for lower trims. The SLT trim introduced a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 230 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The AT4 and Denali trims featured a robust 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, providing a smooth driving experience, though it lacked a distinctive driving character. The V6 engine offered a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds, and the test vehicle achieved an average fuel economy of 20.1 mpg.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, on the other hand, featured a base 2.5-liter flat-four engine with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. This powertrain struggled with the Outback's weight, resulting in sluggish performance. The XT trims offered a significant upgrade with a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine, delivering 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing a more capable and refined driving experience. The Outback excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its high ground clearance and advanced AWD system, making it more proficient off-road than many competitors.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered flexible seating configurations for five, six, or seven passengers, with the Denali trim featuring standard second-row captain’s chairs. The interior provided comfort with power-adjustable front seats and heated second-row seats. However, cargo space was limited with all seats in use, offering just 12.1 cubic feet behind the third row. Folding the seats expanded the cargo area to 79 cubic feet, which was average for the segment.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive interior space, with 76 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cabin provided ample headroom and legroom, with excellent visibility due to thin pillars and large windows. The Outback's interior featured clever storage solutions and standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, enhancing its practicality. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came equipped with essential infotainment features, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen offered a higher resolution and improved user experience. The test vehicle included navigation and a Bose premium sound system, with voice recognition technology that generally performed well. Additional tech features included USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and a high-definition surround-view camera.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an optional navigation system that was more modern. Subaru EyeSight was standard, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system's functionality was impressive but relied solely on cameras, which could be limited in certain conditions.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered basic safety features, including a rear-seat reminder and Teen Driver technology. Standard ADAS features included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert, but more advanced systems like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking required higher trims and additional packages. The Acadia received a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA but had incomplete IIHS data.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger chassis and additional airbags, with more driver assists available on higher trims. It was a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+," earning top ratings in crash tests and for its forward emergency braking. The NHTSA awarded the Outback five stars overall, with some variations in specific tests.