2020 Jeep Wrangler vs 2020 Subaru Outback

Subaru had a winning formula with the Outback and aimed for incremental improvements in 2020. The sixth-gen Outback was built on Subaru’s Global Platform, boasting a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine, though seemingly similar to the 2019 model, had 90% new parts and offered 182 horsepower. For those seeking more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent was available in higher trims. Externally, changes were subtle, mainly in the head- and taillights, but the interior saw significant upgrades, including an 11.6-inch touchscreen for all but the base trim and the innovative DriverFocus system.

The Outback was available in seven trims, starting with the 2.5i at an MSRP of $26,645, which included LED headlights, keyless entry, and automatic climate control. The Premium trim, starting at $28,895, introduced the 11.6-inch touchscreen, dual-zone auto climate control, and heated front seats. The Limited trim, priced at $33,445, added features like a power liftgate and blind-spot monitoring. The Touring trim, at $37,345, offered ventilated front seats and a sunroof. The new Onyx Edition XT, starting at $34,895, included the turbo engine and off-road enhancements. The Limited XT and Touring XT followed, adding the turbo engine for $37,745 and $39,695, respectively.

Jeep Wranglers were unmistakable on the road with their circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy styling. The 2020 Wrangler Unlimited maintained this iconic look, with features like a fold-down windshield and removable doors. Inside, Jeep focused on a retro look with circular climate vents and gauges, emphasizing utility. The Wrangler Unlimited was available in Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon trims. The Sport trim was basic, with a 5-inch touchscreen and manual windows, while the Sport S added power windows, locks, and air conditioning. The Sahara trim offered more upscale features, including body-color fender flares and an 18-inch alloy wheel. The Rubicon trim was the most off-road capable, with a lifted suspension and mud-terrain tires.

Special editions like the Willys, Black and Tan, and various Altitude and Recon trims added unique features and styling. The Wrangler Unlimited was designed for off-road performance, with features like locking front and rear differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar. Despite its rugged nature, the Wrangler offered some comfort features, especially in the Sahara trim.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an upgraded 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower, a 7-hp increase over 2019, and improved fuel efficiency at 26 mpg city and 33 highway. For those needing more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in the XT trims produced 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission. Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) system provided consistent power delivery and improved handling, especially in adverse conditions. The Outback also offered 8.7 inches of ground clearance and an upgraded X-Mode for off-road capability.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited came with a base 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine was also available, offering 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. New for 2020 was a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, providing excellent low-speed performance and fuel efficiency at 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined. The Wrangler’s off-road capabilities were unmatched, with features like locking differentials, a disconnecting front sway bar, and a lifted suspension in the Rubicon trim. However, the Wrangler’s on-road performance was less refined, with significant road noise and a rough ride.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space, with 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The increased width between the rear wheels contributed to the overall volume. The Outback provided ample legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers, and excellent visibility in nearly all directions. However, the rear quarters had a significant blind spot, which could be mitigated with optional blind-spot monitoring.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, available in two-door and four-door versions, offered unique features like removable doors and a fold-down windshield. The soft top could be retracted partially or fully, and a hardtop option provided more protection from the elements. The Wrangler Unlimited had about 72 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear bench lowered flat, less than some less-capable SUVs. Despite its rugged design, the Wrangler’s interior space and comfort were limited compared to more traditional SUVs.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen in all but the base trim, offering a large, easy-to-navigate interface. However, the system suffered from significant lag, affecting functions like navigation and volume control. The camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall experience.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler’s Sport and Sport S trims came with a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while the Rubicon and Sahara trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An 8.4-inch Uconnect system was available, adding navigation, HD Radio, real-time traffic and weather updates, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and an Alpine premium audio system. Despite its rugged nature, the Wrangler offered a robust infotainment system, especially in higher trims.

The 2020 Subaru Outback came with a standard safety suite, including Subaru’s EyeSight system, which had some limitations in adverse conditions. The DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was unreliable and often triggered false alerts. Despite these issues, the Outback offered a strong commitment to safety with features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler included standard safety features like airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages added rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning. These features were particularly helpful given the Wrangler’s awkward sightlines.