2020 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

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. For those seeking more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent was available in higher trims. Externally, changes were subtle, mainly noticeable in the head- and taillights. Inside, the 2020 Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen for all but the base trim, which had dual 7-inch screens. The innovative DriverFocus tech used infrared to detect and alert sleepy or distracted drivers, and it also employed facial recognition to adjust settings between drivers.

The Outback was offered 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 blind-spot monitoring and a power liftgate. The Touring trim, at $37,345, offered upgraded leather and ventilated front seats. The new Onyx Edition XT, starting at $34,895, included the more powerful engine and off-road capabilities. The Limited XT and Touring XT followed their non-XT counterparts but added the turbocharged engine.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was based on the model introduced in 2015, with design updates from 2017 carrying over. The 2017 model was the first to include standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In 2020, the infotainment system was updated, and for 2021, the Premier trim was dropped, leaving the LS and LT trims. The LS came with 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, was standard. A $495 package added tinted windows and cruise control.

The LT trim added heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, cruise control, chrome belt-line moldings, and silver-painted skid plates. It also included upgraded cloth and leatherette seats, a cargo security cover, and a 120-volt AC power outlet. The LT trim was available with styling packages like the Redline Edition, Sport Edition, and Midnight Edition. The Driver Confidence Package added driver assistance features, and the LT Convenience Package included a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and keyless open and start.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an upgraded 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower, a 7-hp increase over 2019. This engine offered 26 mpg city and 33 highway, a 1 mpg improvement in both categories. For those needing more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in the XT trims produced 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque, allowing the Outback to hit 60 mph in around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which Subaru tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, minimizing the typical CVT drawbacks.

The Outback’s symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) system was active all the time, providing consistent power delivery and less wear on components. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Outback could handle off-road conditions, though it wasn’t a Jeep. The Onyx XT trim featured an upgraded X-Mode and hill-descent control for enhanced off-road capability.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax had a single engine option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission routed power to either front-wheel drive (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD). While the engine sufficed for city driving, it struggled at highway speeds and during passing maneuvers, making plenty of noise in the process. The Trax had a firm ride, which could be harsh over potholes and bumps, but its tight turning radius provided good maneuverability in tight spaces.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The rear seats could be dropped via handles at the rear of the trunk. The Outback’s interior was spacious, with ample legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers. Visibility was excellent, though the rear quarters had a significant blind spot. The Outback’s design prioritized functionality, with a low load height for trunk and roof storage and a lower center of gravity for better handling and braking.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax provided a respectable amount of headroom and legroom in both rows. The front seats were supportive, but the rear seats lacked bolstering and could be uncomfortable on long trips. The Trax had multiple storage trays in each door and low cupholder placement for large water bottles. It offered 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat could also fold flat for larger items. However, there was no option for a power liftgate or a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was large, easy to understand, and mostly easy to navigate. However, the system suffered from significant lag, affecting nearly every screen and function. The camera resolution was also subpar, exacerbated by the large screen. Despite these issues, the system had potential if Subaru addressed the lag and camera quality.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system. This system had easy-to-follow menus, vivid graphics, and was complemented by hard buttons and dials. It included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

The 2020 Subaru Outback had a strong standard safety suite, including AWD, but the DriverFocus system was disappointing. Subaru’s EyeSight system, while standard, could turn off due to obstructions like snow, mud, or direct sunlight. The DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, often gave false alerts, making it more of a distraction than a safety feature.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received five out of five stars in crash tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, it did not receive a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Trax came standard with airbags and a backup camera, but additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors were only available in the LT Convenience Package. Rivals offered more standard safety features, such as forward-collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking, which were not available on the Trax.