2020 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2020 Subaru Outback maintained its reputation for utility, safety, and performance, with a handsome profile that saw only incremental improvements. Built on Subaru’s Global Platform, it boasted a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine, though seemingly unchanged, featured 90% new parts, while higher trims offered a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine for more power. Exterior changes were subtle, focusing on head- and taillights, while the interior saw significant upgrades, including an 11.6-inch touchscreen on most trims. The innovative DriverFocus technology aimed to enhance safety by monitoring driver alertness and adjusting settings via facial recognition. The Outback was available in seven trims, starting at $26,645, with a range of features and options, including advanced safety systems and infotainment capabilities.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a bold design that was not universally appealing, with distinctive elements like its grille shape and lighting. Inside, the Santa Fe offered a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard and high-contrast interior colors, though materials quality lagged behind its stylish design. The build quality was excellent, and controls were refined. The Santa Fe was available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, with the 2.0T versions offering a turbocharged engine for enhanced performance. The Limited trim featured a luxurious interior with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-zone climate control system. Despite its daring design, the Santa Fe was more about practicality than making a statement.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered two engine options: a 182-horsepower 2.5-liter engine and a 260-horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged engine. The base engine provided a modest increase in power and fuel efficiency over the previous year, while the turbocharged engine delivered robust performance with 277 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in about 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a CVT, tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission. Subaru’s symmetrical AWD system provided consistent power delivery and enhanced stability, both on and off-road. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance and upgraded X-Mode on the Onyx XT, the Outback was capable of handling various terrains, though it wasn’t designed for extreme off-roading.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a standard 185-horsepower 2.4-liter engine, but the 235-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine was the preferred choice for better performance. The turbo engine provided 260 lb-ft of torque, available quickly for responsive acceleration. An eight-speed automatic transmission managed power delivery, with AWD available for improved traction. The Santa Fe had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. Fuel economy for the 2.0T model was estimated at 23 mpg combined, with real-world results close to this figure. The Santa Fe delivered a smooth ride, decent handling, and quiet highway cruising, making it a competent daily driver, though it lacked the engagement for adventurous driving.

The 2020 Subaru Outback excelled in functionality, offering 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with rear seats folded. The interior was spacious, accommodating taller passengers comfortably, with excellent headroom and legroom. The Outback’s design prioritized visibility, though rear-quarter blind spots were a concern. The station wagon format provided a low load height and a lower center of gravity, enhancing handling and safety.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe featured thoughtful design elements, such as creative storage spaces and stain-resistant fabric. The interior was comfortable, with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat offered ample legroom and reclining seats for added comfort. Cargo space was slightly limited, with 35.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 71.3 cubic feet total, but underfloor storage compartments added practicality. The hands-free smart liftgate was a convenient feature, opening automatically when the key fob was detected nearby.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was visually appealing but suffered from lag and buried controls. The infotainment system included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but the camera resolution was subpar. The system’s potential was hindered by performance issues that needed addressing.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe’s infotainment system was user-friendly, with stereo control knobs, shortcut buttons, and a programmable button. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SEL trim added SiriusXM and Blue Link services, while the Limited trim offered a larger display, navigation, surround-view camera, and premium audio. The head-up display and sophisticated voice recognition enhanced the driving experience.

The 2020 Subaru Outback included a comprehensive safety suite, with standard AWD and EyeSight technology. However, the optical system could be obstructed by environmental factors, and the DriverFocus system was overly sensitive, leading to frequent false alerts.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe earned top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. It featured adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The SEL trim added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Limited trim included a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The ultrasonic occupant alert system provided an extra layer of safety for families.