2021 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Lexus GX

2020 Lexus GX
2020 Lexus GX
$53,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Subaru Outback
2021 Subaru Outback
$26,795MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Lexus GX
$53,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Subaru Outback
$26,795MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$53,000

MSRP

$26,795

Average price

$40,647

Average price

$25,033

Listings

142

Listings

949

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.5 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.8 out of 10
Pros
  • Off-road capability
  • Comfortable
Cons
  • Outdated technology
  • Uninspired styling
Pros
  • Excellent value for money
  • Standard all-wheel drive
  • Great safety ratings
Cons
  • Underwhelming base engine

2020 Lexus GX Reviews Summary

Depending on who you ask, the modern SUV will continue to dominate the new-car market until it's the only type of vehicle on the road (except pickup trucks). That prediction makes sense; modern SUVs drive like cars, can get through most snowstorms, and have the cargo space to tackle most of what daily life throws at them. They are great all-around vehicles, but in trying to master everything, many have lost the specialization that made them noteworthy in the first place. In particular, many luxury SUVs have lost their off-road credibility.

There are exceptions to this trend, including upmarket trims of the Jeep Grand Cherokee as well as most of the Land Rover lineup. Another brand that bucks the trend is Lexus. Sure, the Lexus RX pretty much created the modern luxury crossover, but it gets sold right alongside the immensely capable Lexus LX and this vehicle: the 2020 Lexus GX.

You’ll be forgiven if you forgot the GX was still available. Lexus has updated the GX for 2020 with fresh styling to make it a bit more memorable. Still, beneath that new exterior is one of the oldest vehicles offered today, and as you’ll learn, that has its advantages.

2021 Subaru Outback Reviews Summary

The Outback, like any Subaru, is an old soul in a young person’s body. It embraces a rosier past of automotive history, back when cars were just cars and drivers were concerned only with driving. It’s conservative, unhip to fashion, and slow. Yet the 2021 Outback—a raised, all-wheel drive (AWD) station wagon like the first 1995 model—has all of today’s essentials and extra technology. Subaru just skips the fripperies and focuses on what people really need: Generous space, go-anywhere capability, reliability, low cost, high resale, and safety. It’s not all that innovative or stylish, but a Subaru Outback tackles the everyday banalities of life as few other cars can.
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

4.6L 301 hp V8

Engine

2.5L 182 hp H4

Drive Train

AWD

Drive Train

AWD

Seating Capacity

7

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

301 hp @ 5500 rpm

Horsepower

182 hp @ 5800 rpm

MPG City

15

MPG City

26

MPG Highway

19

MPG Highway

33
2020 Lexus GX
2020 Lexus GX
$53,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Subaru Outback
2021 Subaru Outback
$26,795MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Lexus GX
$53,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Subaru Outback
$26,795MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$53,000
$26,795
Average price
$40,647
$25,033
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews
4.8
4.7
Expert reviews

7.5 out of 10

Read full review

7.8 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Off-road capability
  • Comfortable
Cons
  • Outdated technology
  • Uninspired styling
Pros
  • Excellent value for money
  • Standard all-wheel drive
  • Great safety ratings
Cons
  • Underwhelming base engine
Summary

Depending on who you ask, the modern SUV will continue to dominate the new-car market until it's the only type of vehicle on the road (except pickup trucks). That prediction makes sense; modern SUVs drive like cars, can get through most snowstorms, and have the cargo space to tackle most of what daily life throws at them. They are great all-around vehicles, but in trying to master everything, many have lost the specialization that made them noteworthy in the first place. In particular, many luxury SUVs have lost their off-road credibility.

There are exceptions to this trend, including upmarket trims of the Jeep Grand Cherokee as well as most of the Land Rover lineup. Another brand that bucks the trend is Lexus. Sure, the Lexus RX pretty much created the modern luxury crossover, but it gets sold right alongside the immensely capable Lexus LX and this vehicle: the 2020 Lexus GX.

You’ll be forgiven if you forgot the GX was still available. Lexus has updated the GX for 2020 with fresh styling to make it a bit more memorable. Still, beneath that new exterior is one of the oldest vehicles offered today, and as you’ll learn, that has its advantages.

The Outback, like any Subaru, is an old soul in a young person’s body. It embraces a rosier past of automotive history, back when cars were just cars and drivers were concerned only with driving. It’s conservative, unhip to fashion, and slow. Yet the 2021 Outback—a raised, all-wheel drive (AWD) station wagon like the first 1995 model—has all of today’s essentials and extra technology. Subaru just skips the fripperies and focuses on what people really need: Generous space, go-anywhere capability, reliability, low cost, high resale, and safety. It’s not all that innovative or stylish, but a Subaru Outback tackles the everyday banalities of life as few other cars can.
Video
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
4.6L 301 hp V8
2.5L 182 hp H4
Drive Train
AWD
AWD
Seating Capacity
7
5
Horsepower
301 hp @ 5500 rpm
182 hp @ 5800 rpm
MPG City
15
26
MPG Highway
19
33
Look and feel
2020 Lexus GX
7/10
2021 Subaru Outback
7/10

The 2020 Lexus GX, despite some new design tweaks, was a decade-old vehicle. It featured the garish hourglass grille design that had become a staple in the Lexus lineup. While this design was hard to look at on some Lexus models, the GX wore it better than the larger LX. The GX shared a platform with the Toyota 4Runner, making it incredibly capable and rugged, which outweighed the necessity to innovate. Inside, the GX's cabin looked unchanged from a decade ago, with a large, chunky center console and big buttons. This old-school interior worked for the GX's rugged nature, even though it lacked the modern touchscreens found in newer models.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, felt familiar and comfortable, much like a 10-year-old Subaru. The interior was fresher than the smaller 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, especially if you skipped the base trim. Higher trims featured an 11.6-inch portrait display that was bright and sharp, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Outback's quality was evident, with substantial window switches, padding on the dash, and surface materials. The Onyx Edition XT, with its gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green contrast stitching, added a touch of wildness to the otherwise practical interior.

Performance
2020 Lexus GX
9/10
2021 Subaru Outback
6/10

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and standard 4-wheel drive (4WD). While these specs might not impress compared to modern V6 or turbocharged engines, the V8 offered an unmistakable swell of power in real-world driving. The GX's light steering was direct and responsive, and the self-leveling air suspension provided a smooth yet composed ride. The GX excelled in off-road conditions, with various 4WD modes and a towing capacity of up to 6,500 pounds. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with an average of 16.3 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base 2.5-liter flat-four engine, with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, struggled to move the vehicle efficiently, especially when loaded. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) didn't help, making the Outback slow and noisy. The XT trim, with a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine, offered a significant improvement, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine was quieter, smoother, and more powerful, making the Outback more capable of keeping up with traffic. The XT's fuel economy was slightly lower than the base engine, but the trade-off was worth it for the improved performance. The Outback's ride comfort and handling were excellent, with long-travel springs and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it capable off-road.

Form and function
2020 Lexus GX
8/10
2021 Subaru Outback
10/10

The 2020 Lexus GX offered second-row captain's chairs on the Premium and Luxury trims, with power-folding third-row seats standard on the Luxury trim. The captain's chairs provided a small access way to the third row, but getting into the third row was a chore for adults. With all rear seats folded, the GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space, which was less than some competitors. The GX's side-opening rear hatch was unique but not particularly advantageous, though the separately opening rear window/hatch was a useful feature.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, with its high ground clearance, could go anywhere larger vehicles could without the drawbacks of being oversized. It 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 wheel arches. The Outback provided ample headroom and legroom in all seating positions, with superb outward visibility. Storage was plentiful, with 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 best feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, which could be swiveled and locked in place within seconds.

Technology
2020 Lexus GX
6/10
2021 Subaru Outback
7/10

The 2020 Lexus GX's infotainment system showed its age, with a true touchscreen flanked by large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls. While it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the simplicity of the system was a plus for some drivers.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system looked dated, with graphics and typefaces reminiscent of older gaming consoles. The central screen in the instrument panel was even worse. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the optional navigation was more modern-looking. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system offered good semi-automated control on marked highways but relied solely on forward-looking cameras, which could be impeded in certain conditions.

Safety
2020 Lexus GX
8/10
2021 Subaru Outback
9/10

The 2020 Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, which included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera were also available. The GX's great visibility, with massive windows and mirrors, added to its safety.

The 2021 Subaru Outback rode on a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was optional on Premium and standard on higher trims. Rear emergency braking and a driver-attention monitor were available on specific trims. The Outback earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with an overall five-star rating from the latter.

Cost Effectiveness
2020 Lexus GX
7/10
2021 Subaru Outback
8/10

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Lexus GX is 7.5 out of 10, while the 2021 Subaru Outback scores 7.8 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2021 Subaru Outback is the better choice, offering a more modern interior, better fuel economy, and superior safety features.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Lexus GX is 7.5 out of 10, while the 2021 Subaru Outback scores 7.8 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2021 Subaru Outback is the better choice, offering a more modern interior, better fuel economy, and superior safety features.

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By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

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