2020 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a stylish addition to the Range Rover lineup, positioned between the compact Evoque and the larger Range Rover. Its design was neither too sleek nor too boxy, striking a balance with its low roof and steeply-raked windshield, which gave it a unique profile compared to the traditional upright Range Rover. The Velar's broad front end maintained the intimidating presence typical of Land Rovers, while its short overhangs improved off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier touches, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive look. Inside, the Velar featured high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a luxurious environment that felt more suited to urban settings than rugged terrains. The cockpit-like interior design made drivers feel enveloped within the vehicle, offering a unique experience compared to other SUVs.

In contrast, the 2020 Subaru Outback maintained its winning formula by focusing on incremental improvements. Built on Subaru's Global Platform, the Outback boasted a 70% increase in structural rigidity, enhancing its safety and performance. While exterior changes were subtle, the interior saw significant upgrades, including an 11.6-inch touchscreen for most trims and the innovative DriverFocus system, which used facial recognition to adjust settings for different drivers. The Outback offered seven trim levels, with the XT trims featuring a more powerful turbocharged engine. Starting at an MSRP of $26,645, the Outback provided a range of features, including LED headlights, keyless entry, and a suite of safety technologies. The Onyx Edition XT stood out with its off-road capabilities and unique styling, making it a popular choice among buyers.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a performance boost with the introduction of the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, which featured a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite these impressive figures, the Velar's performance was not class-leading, as competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S were quicker. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, but its size made it less agile on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 hp and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 with either 340 or 380 hp. The Velar also featured Land Rover's Terrain Response system for off-road driving, although its single-speed transfer case limited its off-road prowess.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower and a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged engine, available in XT trims, allowed the Outback to reach 60 mph in around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that Subaru tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, minimizing the typical CVT drawbacks. Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel-drive system provided consistent power delivery and improved handling, both on and off-road. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Outback could handle various terrains, although its approach, departure, and breakover angles limited its off-road capabilities. The Onyx XT trim further enhanced the Outback's off-road performance with features like hill-descent control and an upgraded X-Mode.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in the luxury SUV market, being larger than compact SUVs like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class but smaller than midsize models like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. Despite its size, the Velar's interior space was not as generous as some competitors, with 15.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling, including its chopped roof, limited headroom and visibility, creating a somewhat claustrophobic interior. The cockpit-like front seating area offered a unique experience but felt cramped. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing 5,511 pounds, while the base four-cylinder model could tow 5,291 pounds.

The 2020 Subaru Outback, as a station wagon, offered significant functional benefits, including ample passenger and cargo space. With 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, the Outback provided plenty of room for various needs. The interior was spacious enough for taller passengers, with excellent headroom and legroom. Subaru's focus on visibility was evident in the Outback's design, offering great sightlines in most directions, although the rear quarters presented a challenge with a large blind spot. The Outback's design balanced exterior proportions with interior space, making it a practical choice for families and adventurers alike.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, which included dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone, navigation, and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. While the system offered high-quality graphics and a well-organized menu layout, it suffered from slow response times. The Velar also included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, which fit the minimalist cabin design but were prone to reflecting sunlight.

The 2020 Subaru Outback introduced a tablet-style, 11.6-inch touchscreen that was visually appealing and easy to navigate. However, the system experienced significant lag across various functions, including navigation, app switching, and even volume control. The camera resolution was also lacking, especially given the large screen size. Despite these issues, the Outback's infotainment system had potential, offering a user-friendly interface and a range of features. Subaru's commitment to technology was evident, but improvements were needed to enhance the overall user experience.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar did not have safety ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were not prioritized for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. However, Land Rover's offerings were less sophisticated than some competitors, with only lane-keep assist available, while other automakers offered more advanced systems.

The 2020 Subaru Outback's safety features were a mixed bag. While Subaru's commitment to safety was evident, the EyeSight system, which was standard, had limitations due to its optical nature. The DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was problematic, frequently issuing false alerts. Despite these issues, the Outback's standard safety suite impressed, especially for its price, and the standard AWD system provided additional security. Subaru's focus on safety was clear, but improvements to the DriverFocus system were necessary.