2021 Nissan Murano 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 the same as the 2019 model, had 90% new parts. Higher trims featured a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent. Exterior changes were subtle, mainly in the head- and taillights, while the interior saw significant upgrades, including an 11.6-inch touchscreen for most trims and the innovative DriverFocus tech. The Outback was available in seven trims, starting at $26,645, with a range of features and safety systems.

The 2021 Nissan Murano, once a cutting-edge design, had become more mainstream. Its L-shaped LED headlights and contoured front end were now standard in car design. The interior was conservative but functional, with controls intuitively placed. The Murano was a comfort-optimized SUV, ideal for commutes and road trips. Trims included S, SV, SL, and Platinum, with the base S offering features like 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added more luxury and tech features, culminating in the Platinum trim with a panoramic moonroof and premium leather.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured a 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 delivered 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in around 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 better handling, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance for off-road capability. The Outback’s design ensured less wear on components and a lower center of gravity, enhancing both on-road and off-road performance.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came with a single engine option: a 3.5-liter V6 producing 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a CVT, offered strong low-speed acceleration but felt less responsive at higher speeds. The Murano’s ride was comfort-first, absorbing bumps well and handling corners smoothly, making it an excellent choice for commuting and road trips. However, its towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds, lower than many midsize and even some compact SUVs.

The 2020 Subaru Outback excelled in functionality, offering 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior was spacious, with ample legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers. Subaru’s design prioritized visibility, though the rear quarters had a notable blind spot. The Outback’s proportions contributed to better handling and braking, with a lower chance of rollover compared to SUVs.

The 2021 Nissan Murano provided up to 67 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats down and 32.1 cubic feet with them up. While other two-row SUVs offered more cargo space, the Murano compensated with ease-of-use features like a hands-free power liftgate in higher trims. The Murano’s focus on two rows of seating resulted in generous headroom and legroom for all passengers, with the second-row seats offering partial reclining functionality.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was visually impressive but suffered from lag and buried climate-control functions. The system’s responsiveness issues affected navigation, radio, and even volume control. Camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall tech experience.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, praised for its intuitive menu layout and physical buttons for easy navigation. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with available upgrades like an 11-speaker Bose stereo and navigation.

The 2020 Subaru Outback had a strong safety suite, including standard AWD and various driver assistance features. However, the DriverFocus system 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 Nissan Murano included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with new standard features like reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. Additional safety features were available, such as a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control, enhancing the Murano’s safety profile.