2021 Toyota Venza vs 2020 Subaru Outback

Subaru's aim for the 2020 Outback was to incrementally improve an already winning formula. From the outside, not much set it apart from previous generations visually, save for modified head- and taillights. The real magic happened under the skin with its Global Platform, boasting a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine, although similar in appearance to its predecessor, was 90% new and now offered 182 horsepower. For those desiring more power, the XT trims introduced a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine from the Ascent, producing 260 horsepower.

Inside, the 2020 Outback stood out with a prominent 11.6-inch touchscreen on all trims except the base 2.5i, which came with dual 7-inch screens. A standout new feature, DriverFocus, used infrared to detect driver fatigue or distraction, and also leveraged facial recognition to customize settings between drivers.

The Outback spanned seven trim levels from the 2.5i to the Touring XT. Even the base model, starting at $26,645, came equipped with essentials like LED headlights, keyless entry, and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay integration. Higher trims introduced conveniences like heated seats, dual-zone climate control, and advanced tech features including blind-spot monitoring and a power liftgate.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Venza, notable for its Lexus-like elegance, was a mid-sized SUV shorter and closer to the ground than the RAV4 but shared the same wheelbase. It came in three trims: LE, XLE, and Limited, with seven exterior color choices.

Standard in the Venza were features like dual chrome-tipped exhausts, LED lights, and 18-inch alloys, with interior amenities such as a wireless charging pad and dual-zone climate control. The Limited trim boasted a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, digital rearview mirror, and the optional Star Gaze panoramic roof with electrochromic glazing.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered two engine choices. The base 2.5-liter delivered 182 horsepower, an upgrade from its 2019 counterpart, and achieved 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Its 2.4-liter turbocharged sibling, standard on XT trims, provided a substantial 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, translating to a 0-60 time of about 7 seconds.

Both engines paired with a CVT, which Subaru engineered to mimic a traditional automatic for smoother performance, minimizing the typical droning and rubberbanding. Its active symmetrical all-wheel drive was a standout, delivering oh-so-smooth power distribution and excellent traction without the delay seen in other systems. The Outback's off-road capabilities were commendable too, especially with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and an upgraded X-Mode in the Onyx XT trim.

In comparison, the 2021 Toyota Venza was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a lithium-ion battery, combining to produce 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. Its hybrid system, paired with an electronically-controlled CVT, offered a sequential-shifting feature for better regenerative braking control.

While the Venza's acceleration was smoother but less vigorous than some competitors, it excelled in fuel efficiency, achieving an EPA-estimated 40 mpg on the highway, 37 mpg in the city, and 39 mpg combined—far surpassing rivals like the Murano, Passport, and Blazer. The driving experience was typical of Toyota’s line: comfortable with confident handling.

The 2020 Subaru Outback's design maximized utility with its station wagon layout. It offered 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to a substantial 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats dropped, which could be done via rear trunk handles. This increased cargo space, combined with ample passenger volume and generous legroom, especially for taller passengers, made the Outback incredibly practical.

Visibility was another strong point, with well-considered sightlines, though the rear quarters did have a pesky blind spot that could hide smaller vehicles. Fortunately, optional blind-spot monitoring mitigated this issue.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Venza provided a more refined interior with a unique design aesthetic, diverging from the typical Toyota or Lexus look. Premium materials and a well-thought-out center stack featuring piano black capacitive buttons, upholstered accents, and a well-placed touchscreen highlighted the cabin.

The Venza comfortably seated five adults and offered 55.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded—less than the Outback but still ample for everyday needs. Quick-flip releases for the 60/40 split-folding seatbacks facilitated easy cargo space reconfiguration.

The 2020 Subaru Outback’s 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen was intended to entice tech enthusiasts. While it was visually impressive and relatively user-friendly, it suffered from significant lag, which sometimes affected volume control comically, alternating between mute and overly loud. The camera resolution was behind the times, further diminishing the experience.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured an 8-inch infotainment system on the LE and XLE trims, upgrading to a 12.3-inch screen on the Limited. These systems ran Toyota’s Entune, which, despite improvements, lagged behind competitors in user-friendliness. However, it offered standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. The Limited trim added a nine-speaker JBL audio system and available dynamic navigation using cloud-based tech for real-time route adjustments.

Safety has always been a core value for Subaru. The 2020 Outback included a suite of standard safety features such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist, powered by Subaru’s EyeSight system. However, the optical nature of EyeSight meant it could shut down due to obstructions like snow or fog. The DriverFocus feature, designed to alert drowsy drivers, often provided false alarms, proving more distracting than helpful.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Venza came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, standard across all trims. This comprehensive safety suite included a pre-collision system, lane-departure warning with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and road sign assist. Additionally, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard. The Limited trim added a backup camera washer and a digital rearview mirror for better visibility.