2021 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that gave it a car-like appearance, reminiscent of Honda's sedan lineup. The CR-V's design leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, making it a modern family transportation staple. However, the interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with lower-quality plastics. This contrast reminded drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were essentially upgraded versions of a commodity car.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, maintained a familiar and comfortable feel. Its interior was fresher than the smaller Crosstrek, with a more modern dashboard and an 11.6-inch portrait display standard on Premium and above trims. The Outback's quality was evident, with substantial window switches, dash padding, and surface materials. The Onyx Edition XT featured gray and black StarTex upholstery with lime green contrast stitching, adding a touch of flair. Externally, the Outback's styling was smooth and plain, with high gray cladding on its wheel arches, sills, and bumpers. It was a lifted wagon, offering a great alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain was well-suited to the CR-V, providing a quick and responsive driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's road manners were excellent, with nimble handling and a firm yet comfortable chassis. Its low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its agility and fuel efficiency, achieving an EPA rating of 30 mpg combined for FWD models and 29 mpg for AWD models.

In comparison, the 2021 Subaru Outback's base 2.5-liter flat-four engine delivered 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. This powertrain struggled to move the Outback's weight, resulting in sluggish performance. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, providing a significant improvement in performance. The Outback's handling was more about comfort than speed, with a smooth ride and excellent off-road capability thanks to its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and Subaru's legendary AWD system. The XT's fuel economy was slightly lower than the base engine, but the performance gains were worth the trade-off.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and storage solutions. Its cabin was roomy, with excellent head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The cargo area was spacious, offering 75.8 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded. Clever storage solutions, like the deep center console and two-position load floor, made the CR-V practical for everyday use. Even the door pockets were large, providing ample space for storing items.

The 2021 Subaru Outback also offered impressive 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 and flat, free of intrusive wheel arches. The Outback's seats were comfortable and supportive, with excellent visibility thanks to thin pillars and lots of glass. Storage options were plentiful, with large map pockets, bottle holders, and a handy front center console. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims, and the moonroof was bundled with expensive options.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a 5-inch screen standard on the LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available only with the larger screen, providing better navigation than Honda's system. The CR-V offered plenty of USB ports on EX trims and above, with a wireless phone charger on the Touring trim.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system also felt dated, with graphics reminiscent of older technology. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the optional navigation was more modern. Subaru EyeSight, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, was standard on all trims. The system relied on cameras rather than radar, which could affect its performance in certain conditions.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came with the "Honda Sensing" system as standard, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. It earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with the Touring trim's LED headlights improving nighttime visibility.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The Outback earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, with excellent crash test results and forward emergency braking performance.