2021 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV was nearly indistinguishable from its non-hybrid counterparts, save for a subtle “P400e” badge on the tailgate. Land Rover chose not to alter the SUV's design with unnecessary styling changes or aerodynamic tweaks. The charging port was cleverly integrated into the grille, making it almost invisible unless pointed out. This approach was appreciated by those who valued the vehicle's design integrity, despite the PHEV powertrain adding $4,750 to the price. The test vehicle, priced at $93,200 with options, featured striking Firenze Red paint, a black roof, and 21-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its already impressive aesthetics. Inside, the cabin was adorned with high-quality materials, reflecting the vehicle's premium price tag.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. The interior, especially in higher trims, was fresh and modern, featuring an 11.6-inch portrait display in the center stack, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Outback's cabin was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom, and the seats were supportive and comfortable. The Onyx Edition XT test car featured gray and black StarTex upholstery with lime green contrast stitching, adding a touch of flair. The exterior design was smooth and plain, with gray cladding on the wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, and a few chrome accents. The Outback's styling remained consistent, emphasizing its practicality and ruggedness.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a 141-hp electric motor and a 13-kWh battery, producing a total of 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Land Rover claimed an all-electric driving range of up to 31 miles, but the test vehicle struggled to achieve this, often switching to the gasoline engine prematurely. Despite this, the SUV averaged 41.9 mpg over a 28.4-mile stretch and 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop, outperforming previous models with different engines. The Range Rover Sport PHEV offered quick acceleration, adaptive air suspension, and various driving modes, making it both athletic and comfortable. However, the regenerative brakes were grabby, and the vehicle's off-roading capabilities were retained, with the ability to ford 33.4 inches of water. Recharging the battery took 14 hours using a standard household outlet, but the battery often failed to reach full capacity.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine was a 2.5-liter flat-four producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This combination struggled to move the vehicle, especially when fully loaded, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trim, with a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine, offered a significant improvement, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine was quieter, smoother, and more capable, though it came at a higher price. The turbo XT's fuel economy was slightly lower than the base engine, but the performance gains were worth it. The Outback's handling was squishy, and the steering imprecise, but it excelled as a long-distance cruiser with a comfortable ride. Subaru's AWD system was proactive and effective, with X-Mode optimizing performance for tough conditions. The Outback's off-road capabilities were impressive, making it more proficient than many crossovers and SUVs.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV had a higher price tag and less cargo space due to the battery placement beneath the raised cargo floor, reducing the available space to 27.5 cubic feet. The cargo area was prone to items falling out when the tailgate was opened. However, the SUV comfortably accommodated five passengers, with excellent front-seat comfort and a tall riding position for rear-seat passengers. The test vehicle featured 4-zone automatic climate control and a panoramic glass roof, enhancing the interior experience. Practical storage was limited, especially with the optional refrigerated center console bin, but the dual-glove-box design helped.

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 elements. The interior provided ample headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seats. Outward visibility was excellent, thanks to thin pillars and a low shoulder height. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front center console. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The Outback's standard roof rails with integrated crossbars were a standout feature, offering convenience and cost savings. The 11.6-inch touchscreen complicated climate controls but was generally responsive and useful.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was complex and could be frustrating to use. Despite spending time setting it up, the system occasionally behaved unexpectedly, with delayed reactions and a lack of haptic feedback. The SUV's technology was best suited for those comfortable with touchscreens, apps, and voice commands, but even tech-savvy users might experience occasional befuddlement.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system looked dated, with graphics and typefaces reminiscent of older technology. The central screen in the instrument panel was particularly outdated. However, the system offered modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, and the optional navigation was more contemporary. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system worked well on marked highways but relied solely on cameras, which could be impeded in certain conditions.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), but the onboard technology could be distracting. The new steering-assist system in the optional Driver Assist Package was aggressive, causing head-toss when negotiating curves. The lane-keeping assist system was also abrupt, leading to its deactivation. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the vehicle's nearly 5,500-pound weight provided a sense of security in collisions.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Additional driver assists were available on higher trims, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear emergency braking. The Outback earned a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and received top ratings in all crash tests. 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.