2020 Jeep Renegade vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Jeep Renegade was a compact SUV that captured attention with its classic Jeep design elements, including the iconic round headlights, 7-slot grille, and trapezoidal wheel arches. It offered a range of trim levels, from the basic Sport to the off-road-ready Trailhawk, with special editions like the Jeepster and High Altitude. The High Altitude trim, which we tested, featured premium touches such as dark gray 19-inch wheels, a dual-pane panoramic glass roof, and a black leather interior with contrast stitching. Despite these upscale features, the Renegade's interior was dominated by hard plastics, which detracted from its overall luxury feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older Subaru models, but with a fresher interior. The Outback's cabin was more modern, especially in trims above the base, which featured an 11.6-inch portrait display surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Onyx Edition XT, our test model, showcased a unique interior with gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green stitching. The Outback's exterior was practical, with high gray cladding and smooth styling, and it offered new features like adaptive LED headlights. Its design emphasized functionality over flash, making it a versatile choice for those seeking a lifted wagon alternative to traditional SUVs.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder producing 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. Our test vehicle featured the turbo engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and the Active Drive AWD system. While the turbo engine provided energetic performance with peak torque at 1,750 rpm, it suffered from turbo lag and a transmission focused on fuel economy rather than responsiveness. The Renegade's driving dynamics were marred by a flinty ride, sloppy steering, and a noisy cabin, making highway driving less enjoyable. However, the Trailhawk trim excelled in off-road capabilities, living up to the Jeep brand's adventurous reputation.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, on the other hand, came with a base 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. This setup struggled to move the Outback's weight, resulting in sluggish performance. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving acceleration and refinement. The Outback's handling was designed for comfort, with long-travel springs and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it capable on rough roads. Subaru's AWD system was proactive, always driving all four wheels and offering X-Mode for challenging conditions, enhancing the Outback's off-road prowess.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade's interior felt spacious due to its boxy design and panoramic glass roof, but it was not as roomy as it appeared. The front seats were comfortable with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, but rear-seat space was cramped, lacking air conditioning vents for passengers. Interior storage was limited, and cargo space measured 18.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.8 cubic feet with them folded.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback offered generous 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 comfortable seating and excellent visibility. 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. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, offering simplicity and ease of use. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Kenwood premium audio system provided good sound quality, and the Renegade offered a comprehensive driver information center and parking assist system.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older technology. However, it included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, with optional navigation. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. While the system's functionality was impressive, it relied solely on cameras, which could be impeded in certain conditions.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Safety and Security Group added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Renegade received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a 3-star rating for rear-seat side-impact protection. The IIHS awarded it commendable scores but not a Top Safety Pick rating for 2020.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted a stronger chassis and additional airbags, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available on higher trims. It earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and forward emergency braking. The NHTSA awarded it five stars overall, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.