2020 Honda CR-V vs 2020 Subaru Outback

Subaru had always maintained a winning formula with the Outback, focusing on utility, safety, and performance with an attractive profile. For the 2020 model, Subaru aimed for incremental advancements, relatively speaking. The sixth-generation Outback built upon Subaru's Global Platform, boasting a 70% increase in structural rigidity. Its base 2.5-liter engine, although appearing similar to the 2019 version, featured 90% new parts, leading to improved performance. Additionally, higher trims offered the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent.

Externally, distinguishing the 2020 Outback from its predecessor was challenging unless one paid close attention to the head- and taillights. Most of the significant changes were internal. An 11.6-inch touchscreen debuted on all but the base trim, which received dual 7-inch screens. Another innovative tech feature was DriverFocus, an infrared monitor detecting sleepy or distracted drivers and using facial recognition to adjust settings between drivers.

The Outback was available in seven trims: 2.5i, Premium, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT, and Touring XT. The XT trims featured the turbo engine. The base model, starting at $26,645, offered LED headlights, keyless entry, and automatic climate control. However, additions like blind-spot monitoring and a power liftgate required upgrading to the Premium trim or higher. Each jump in trim level brought more features, culminating in the $39,695 Touring XT with an upgraded turbo engine and advanced safety features.

Honda’s 2020 CR-V, in its fifth generation since 2017, had a design that was as familiar as it was enjoyable. Its curvy, car-like lines bore a family resemblance to Honda’s sedan lineup, leaning more toward a station wagon than an SUV. This design paradigmed modern family transportation on the outside. However, inside, the CR-V's interior was a blend of textures and materials. Upscale touches such as wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashed with low-quality plastics, reminding buyers that even an expensive CR-V was an upgraded commodity car.

The base CR-V LX trim, priced starting at $26,270, had a standard front-wheel-drive model, with all-wheel drive as a $1,500 option on all trims. Honda simplified its lineup to four trims: LX, EX (starting at $28,720), EX-L ($31,270), and Touring ($34,470). Standard were a set of 17-inch alloy wheels, while the EX trims got 18’s, and the Touring came with optional 19-inchers. The retractable moonroof and roof rails were available only on higher trims.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered an upgraded 2.5-liter engine that produced 182 horsepower, a 7-horsepower increase from the previous year. It delivered 26 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway, adding 1 mpg to both categories over last year's model. For those requiring more power, the XT trims featured a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine generating 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, accelerating the Outback to 60 mph in around 7 seconds. Both engines paired with a CVT, optimized to mimic a traditional automatic, minimizing the usual drawbacks of CVTs.

However, the Outback wasn't just about power. It’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system provided consistent, immediate power delivery without the delay associated with other AWD systems. This, combined with its low center of gravity from the boxer engine, ensured stability and reduced wear on components. The Outback wasn't merely road-capable; with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and enhanced features like X-Mode and hill-descent control in the Onyx XT trim, it could handle off-road challenges efficiently, though not as robustly as a Jeep.

The 2020 Honda CR-V also simplified its lineup by dropping its previous base engine for a new 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that produced 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a CVT, suited the CR-V well, especially in its Sport drive mode, providing a credible imitation of a conventional automatic transmission. The CR-V’s car-like handling was reflected in its excellent road manners. With a curb weight of just 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model, it felt nimble and responsive while also being firm and comfortable with minimal body roll.

Being among the lightest in its class enhanced the CR-V’s acceleration, handling, and fuel economy. The FWD CR-V was rated at 30 mpg combined, while the AWD managed 29 mpg, surpassing last year's models and outmatching competitors like the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4. Honda's CR-V also introduced a hybrid variant to further cater to fuel economy-conscious buyers.

The 2020 Subaru Outback showcased the functional benefits of a station wagon. Offering 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space and 75.7 cubic feet with rear seats down, it gained both passenger and cargo volume from previous models. The rear seats, which could be easily dropped via handles at the rear of the trunk, and an increase in trunk width, contributed to this boost. Even at 6’4”, one could sit comfortably in both the driver’s and rear seats, thanks to ample legroom and headroom. Moreover, the Outback's proportionate design ensured superb visibility in nearly all directions, barring a modest blind spot in the rear quarters.

Honda's 2020 CR-V excelled in cabin space, matching the Volkswagen Tiguan’s volume despite being three inches shorter. It offered excellent head- and legroom for drivers and passengers alike, thanks to a low cowl and optimal seating positions enhancing front visibility. Clever storage solutions were abundant, with a deep, covered center console between the front seats, inspired by the design of the Odyssey minivan. The CR-V’s cargo space featured a smart two-position load floor, allowing owners to choose between maximizing cargo space or creating a flat floor with rear seats folded, amounting to 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space.

The CR-V's door pockets were also generous in size, making it highly capable of swallowing all of one’s items. This practical packaging ensured the CR-V was easy to live with and a strong competitor in terms of interior space compared to the Outback.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen on all trims above the base 2.5i, aiming to captivate tech enthusiasts. The screen was visually appealing and mostly easy to navigate. However, the system suffered from significant lag, impacting almost every function, from map navigation to radio station changes and even volume adjustments. This lag was frustrating and marred the overall experience. Additionally, the camera resolution was below par, failing to keep up with the large screen’s potential.

On the flip side, the 2020 Honda CR-V struggled with outdated infotainment. The base LX trim came with a tiny 5-inch screen, offering minimal features. Even the 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims seemed insufficient against competitors with larger screens. The infotainment system lacked hard buttons, requiring multiple taps to perform basic functions, making it cumbersome to operate. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available with the larger screen, they felt inadequately integrated. However, Honda equipped the CR-V with numerous USB ports, especially in the EX trim or higher.