2021 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Toyota 4Runner

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner had a timeless design characterized by tall slab sides, a high beltline, short overhangs, and a near-vertical front fascia. Its utilitarian attitude was reminiscent of an XJ Jeep Cherokee, with flared wheel wells designed to accommodate bulky off-road tires and short overhangs for tackling steep pitches and sharp declines. The hood scoop, a visual cue for the off-road-focused TRD trim, was one of the few non-functional elements. The front end featured small, angular headlights, and the grille varied by trim, with body-color bars on most trims and blacked-out accents on the TRD Pro. The Limited trim had bright chrome bars. The trim lineup included SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, TRD Pro, Limited, Nightshade Special Edition, and the new Venture Special Edition. The Nightshade and Venture trims added a stealth aesthetic with blacked-out trim pieces, and the Venture came with 17-inch TRD wheels and a Yakima Megawarrior roof rack.

Our test model, a Limited trim, was aimed at comfort rather than capability. It featured leather upholstery, an 8-inch touchscreen, and plenty of chrome. However, the 4Runner's utilitarian DNA was evident with abundant plastic and a seating position designed for off-roading rather than highway driving. Despite the luxurious touches, the 4Runner Limited felt like a rugged vehicle dressed up for the city.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel. The analog gauges, steering wheel design, and seat forms were reminiscent of older models. However, the interior was fresher, especially with the 11.6-inch portrait display available on Premium and above trims. This display was bright, sharp, and integrated with polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Onyx Edition XT featured gray and black StarTex upholstery with lime green contrast stitching, adding a touch of wildness to the otherwise practical interior. The Outback's exterior had gray cladding on the wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, with smooth and plain styling. The 2021 model introduced a new brown paint option and standard adaptive LED headlights. The Outback's lifted wagon design made it a great alternative to typical crossovers and SUVs.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4-liter V6 engine with 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. This engine was not designed for smoothness or efficiency but for durability and off-road capability. The 4Runner could tow up to 5,000 pounds, but its fuel economy was poor, with an EPA estimate of 16 mpg city, 19 highway, and 17 combined. Our test model managed 17.7 mpg over 400-plus miles. The 4Runner excelled off-road, with body-on-frame construction and advanced traction systems like Toyota's CRAWL control and Multi-Terrain Select. The 4Runner's steering was heavy and vague, and it had significant body roll on the road. The full-time 4WD system on the Limited trim was better suited for maintaining forward progress, while the part-time system on TRD models handled off-road challenges with ease.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine was a 2.5-liter flat-four with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This engine struggled to move the Outback's weight, especially when loaded with passengers and cargo. The turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine available on the XT trims offered a significant improvement, with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine was quieter, smoother, and more powerful, making the Outback more capable of keeping up with traffic. The turbo XT's fuel economy was slightly lower than the base engine, with an EPA estimate of 23 mpg city and 30 highway compared to 26 mpg city and 33 highway. The Outback's handling was squishy and imprecise, but its ride comfort and ground clearance made it a great long-distance cruiser. Subaru's electronically-variable AWD system was proactive and optimized for tough road conditions, making the Outback more proficient off-road than many competitors.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility and a relatively tidy turning radius of 18 feet, 7 inches. The interior featured large, chunky knobs for HVAC and stereo controls, and an 8-inch touchscreen with physical buttons. The steering wheel had an array of controls, but they were not illuminated and difficult to use in the dark. The 4Runner's tall seating position and power-retractable running boards made it easy to climb in and out. The optional third row of seats was best for short and occasional use, with narrow and thin jump seats that folded toward the floor.

The 2021 Subaru Outback had impressive ground clearance, allowing it to go anywhere larger vehicles could. It offered 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cargo area was wide, flat, and free of intrusive wheel arches. The Outback provided ample headroom and legroom in all seating positions, with comfortable and supportive seats. Outward visibility was superb, thanks to thin pillars and lots of glass. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front center console and passenger-side dash. However, push-button start and rear climate vents were standard only on higher trims, and the moonroof was bundled with expensive options. The Outback's best feature was the standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, which could be swiveled and locked in place within seconds.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The system was easy to use, but the onboard navigation was less efficient than Google Maps. The 4Runner also offered Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB media port, and various subscription services. Higher trims included a JBL stereo and navigation system. However, the 4Runner lagged behind competitors in total features and usability, with an 8-inch touchscreen that felt outdated compared to larger, brighter screens in other vehicles. The 4Runner's advanced features were more focused on off-road capability than dashboard technology.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system looked dated, with graphics and typefaces reminiscent of older technology. The central screen in the instrument panel was even worse. Despite this, the Outback offered modern tech like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and optional navigation. Subaru EyeSight was standard on all trims, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied on forward-looking cameras without radar, which limited its functionality in certain conditions.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams. The 4Runner also had eight standard airbags. The NHTSA awarded it four out of five stars overall, with three stars in the rollover test. The IIHS gave it a Good rating in most crash tests but a Marginal rating in the small overlap front: driver-side test. The 4Runner's high center of gravity and imprecise steering made it less stable on the highway.

The 2021 Subaru Outback had a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was optional on Premium and standard on higher trims. Rear emergency braking was optional on the Onyx Edition XT and standard on the Limited 2.5 and Touring trims. The Outback earned a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award, with top ratings in all crash tests and for headlights, as well as a Superior rating for forward emergency braking. The NHTSA gave it five stars overall, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and four stars in the rollover test.