2021 Hyundai Tucson 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. 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. The innovative DriverFocus tech, using infrared to monitor driver alertness and adjust settings via facial recognition, was a standout feature.

The 2020 Outback came in seven trims, starting at $26,645 for the 2.5i, which included LED headlights, keyless entry, and automatic climate control. The Premium trim, at $28,895, introduced the 11.6-inch touchscreen and additional comfort features. The Limited trim, priced at $33,445, added luxury touches like leather upholstery and a Harman Kardon stereo. The Touring trim, at $37,345, offered ventilated front seats and a sunroof. The new Onyx Edition XT, starting at $34,895, combined the Premium’s features with the turbo engine and off-road enhancements. The Limited XT and Touring XT trims followed their non-XT counterparts but included the turbo engine, with prices at $37,745 and $39,695, respectively.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson had a more futuristic design, but for those preferring conventional styling, the current model was appealing. It featured an upright layout for a commanding road view and a modern, attractive dash design. Tech features were seamlessly integrated, and controls were easy to find. The Tucson came in six trims: SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate. The base SE included 17-inch alloy wheels, manually adjustable front seats, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Value trim added features like LED headlight accents, heated side mirrors, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.

The SEL trim added 18-inch alloy wheels and dual-zone automatic climate control. The Sport trim featured 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, and a hands-free power liftgate, along with wireless device charging and an Infinity premium audio system. The Limited trim offered a 360-degree camera system, leather upholstery, and a heated steering wheel. The top-tier Ultimate trim included an 8-inch touchscreen, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a panoramic sunroof.

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. The 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in 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), which Subaru tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, minimizing the typical CVT drawbacks. The Outback’s symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) system provided consistent power delivery and enhanced safety, especially in adverse conditions. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance and upgraded X-Mode on the Onyx XT, the Outback was capable off-road, though not to the extent of a Jeep.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. Higher trims came with a 2.4-liter engine producing 181 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The base engine felt underwhelming, especially at higher speeds, while the 2.4-liter engine provided a livelier performance around town. The Tucson had a comfortable, refined ride, balancing softness and athleticism. The 2.0-liter engine had a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds, while the 2.4-liter engine could tow up to 2,000 pounds.

The 2020 Subaru Outback, with its station wagon design, offered 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This represented a slight increase in passenger and overall volume compared to previous models. The interior was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom, even for taller passengers. Visibility was excellent, though the rear quarters had a notable blind spot. The low load height and lower center of gravity compared to SUVs contributed to better handling and reduced rollover risk.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it was adequate for most needs. The front seats offered solid headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seating for long trips. The rear seats were less spacious but still accommodating for adults. The Tucson featured numerous storage compartments and trays for small items, enhancing its practicality.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was visually impressive and mostly user-friendly. However, the system suffered from significant lag, affecting navigation, app usage, and even volume control. The camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the large screen and layout had potential if the lag and resolution problems were addressed.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an optional 8-inch screen on higher trims. The system was easy to use, with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons. Available features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging, enhancing the Tucson’s tech appeal.

The 2020 Subaru Outback had a strong safety suite, including standard AWD and numerous driver-assistance features. However, the DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was problematic, frequently issuing false alerts. Subaru’s EyeSight system, while standard, could be obstructed by weather conditions, causing it to turn off unexpectedly.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a comprehensive list of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and a 360-degree parking monitor. The Tucson earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).