2021 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Subaru Ascent

The 2020 Subaru Ascent presented itself as a practical and utilitarian SUV, reminiscent of a larger Subaru Forester. It featured gray plastic cladding for protection, an oversized grille, and exaggerated fender flares that added visual strength. The robust roof rails and 20-inch aluminum wheels on most trims contributed to its purposeful design. The Ascent's interior, especially in the Touring trim, was noted for its stylish appearance, quality materials, and thoughtful details, making it feel like a worthwhile investment. The Abyss Blue Pearl paint and Java Brown leather interior added a touch of elegance, while the Touring trim offered premium features like a panoramic sunroof and special wood trim.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a familiar and comfortable design, with analog gauges and a steering wheel that echoed previous models. However, its interior was fresher than the smaller Crosstrek, especially with the larger 11.6-inch portrait display available on Premium and above trims. The Outback's exterior featured high gray cladding on its wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, with a smooth and plain styling that emphasized balance and stability. The Outback's design was practical, with a focus on functionality over flashy aesthetics, making it a great alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain provided good acceleration, but it was notably thirsty, averaging 18.9 mpg during testing, below the EPA estimate of 22 mpg. The Ascent's handling was not particularly engaging, with slow and numb steering and a suspension that struggled with undulating road surfaces. However, it excelled on smooth freeways and off-road, thanks to its Active Torque Split AWD system, X-Mode off-road traction, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, in its base form, featured a 2.5-liter flat-four engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, which struggled to move the vehicle efficiently. 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 agility, with a focus on long-distance cruising. Its electronically-variable AWD system was proactive, always driving all four wheels and offering excellent off-road capability, especially with the X-Mode and additional driving modes on the Onyx Edition.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent offered a comfortable interior, especially in the Touring trim, with soft leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Ascent's interior was spacious, with significant track travel for the front seats, making it appealing to tall individuals. It provided a choice between a second-row bench seat or captain's chairs, with the latter offering sliding functionality for added legroom. The Ascent's cargo space was generous, with 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 86 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive ground clearance, allowing it to tackle various terrains without being oversized. Inside, it offered 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The Outback's interior was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom, and excellent outward visibility. Storage solutions were plentiful, with large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front center console. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, providing a convenient and cost-effective solution for carrying additional cargo.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent came with a Starlink infotainment system, offering Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a CD player. Premium trims and above featured an 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Touring trim added a high-resolution screen and navigation. However, the voice-control system was outdated, and the navigation system occasionally misplaced the vehicle's location. The Ascent's audio system, powered by Harman Kardon speakers, delivered rich sound quality, and USB ports were available in all three rows.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered modern tech features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The single large screen on higher trims was more cohesive and useful than the dual-screen setup on the base model. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. While the system was effective, it relied solely on cameras, which could be less reliable in certain conditions compared to systems using both cameras and radar.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was built on a robust global platform, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It featured Subaru's EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking. The Ascent also included a rear-seat reminder system and Starlink Safety Plus connected services, offering features like automatic collision notification and SOS emergency calling.

The 2021 Subaru Outback rode on a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. It was a 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, earning top ratings in crash tests and for its forward emergency braking. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Outback an overall five-star rating. The Outback offered additional driver assists on higher trims, including blind-spot monitoring, rear emergency braking, and a driver-attention monitor.