2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2020 Subaru Outback

Subaru maintained its winning formula with the 2020 Outback, focusing on incremental improvements. The sixth-generation Outback featured Subaru’s Global Platform, enhancing structural rigidity by 70%. The base 2.5-liter engine, though seemingly unchanged, had 90% new parts, while higher trims offered a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine. Exterior changes were subtle, mainly in the head- and taillights, but the interior saw significant upgrades, including an 11.6-inch touchscreen for most trims and the innovative DriverFocus system, which used facial recognition to adjust settings and monitor driver alertness.

The Outback was available in seven trims, starting at $26,645. Even the base trim included safety features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims added amenities like a power liftgate, blind-spot monitoring, and a Harman Kardon stereo. The new Onyx Edition XT, priced at $34,895, combined off-road capabilities with luxury features, making it a standout option.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey retained its familiar look with minor tweaks, such as a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights, and new wheel designs for higher trims. These updates modernized the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. The Odyssey was available in five trims, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820. New colors required an additional $395.

Our test vehicle, the Elite trim in Lunar Silver Metallic, cost $48,940. The Elite trim featured perforated leather upholstery, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome 19-inch wheels. The Odyssey’s interior improvements, including new seating materials and tri-color floor mats, enhanced its upscale feel. The Elite trim brought the Odyssey closer to being the Acura of minivans.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower and a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower. The 2.5-liter engine provided 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, while the turbocharged engine delivered a zippier performance, reaching 60 mph in around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that mimicked a traditional automatic transmission, reducing the typical CVT drawbacks.

Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) system was a standout feature, providing consistent power delivery and better handling. The Outback’s 8.7 inches of ground clearance and upgraded X-Mode on the Onyx XT made it capable off-road, though it wasn’t a Jeep. The AWD system’s design also reduced wear on components and improved weight balance.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. The transmission offered Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, along with paddle shifters. The V6 engine provided smooth, effortless power and included variable cylinder management for better fuel efficiency, achieving 22 mpg in combined driving.

The Odyssey’s front-wheel-drive (FWD) setup was a disadvantage in snowy regions, as AWD was unavailable. However, the new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response, supporting the adaptive cruise control’s low-speed follow capability. The Odyssey’s ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm but comfortable suspension. However, the brakes struggled under heavy use, especially during a heatwave.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The increased width between the rear wheels contributed to the larger interior volume. The Outback’s low load height and lower center of gravity improved handling and reduced rollover risk. Visibility was excellent, though the rear quarters had a significant blind spot.

The Outback’s interior was spacious, with ample legroom and headroom. The driver’s seat was comfortable, and the rear seats could accommodate taller passengers. The attention to proportion made the Outback look smaller from the outside, which was appreciated in a market where cars tend to grow larger each year.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey’s interior featured legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat was comfortable, with inboard adjustable armrests. The Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment.

The Odyssey’s Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for various seating configurations, enhancing flexibility. The third-row seats were comfortable for both children and adults. Cargo space measured 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second row removed. Removing the second-row seats was cumbersome, though they folded flatter for increased utility.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was visually appealing but suffered from lag. The screen was easy to navigate, though some climate-control functions were buried. The lag affected various functions, including navigation and volume control, which was frustrating. The camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall experience.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey’s EX trim and above included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and more. The Touring trim added navigation, WiFi, CabinWatch, and CabinTalk. The Elite trim featured an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. HondaLink subscription plans offered additional services, including collision notification and remote operation.

The Odyssey’s infotainment system had a couple of drawbacks. The lack of a tuning knob made switching radio stations cumbersome, and the voice-recognition technology was not as advanced as modern smartphone assistants. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and streaming apps, though the lack of a touchscreen disappointed some users.

The 2020 Subaru Outback’s standard safety suite was impressive, including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. However, the DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was problematic. It frequently issued false alerts, which was distracting. Subaru’s EyeSight system, while standard, could be obstructed by weather conditions, causing it to turn off.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with the standard Honda Sensing suite, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey’s ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother. The lane-departure warning system used a wobble instead of a vibration, which was less effective. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.