2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid had a complete redesign in 2019, moving away from its previous soft-roader styling to a tougher, more angular look. Its front fascia, reminiscent of the Toyota 4Runner, featured stacked, trapezoidal apertures and a perforated grille, giving it a mean and mechanical appearance. Dark trim around the wheel wells and doorsills suggested that the RAV4 Hybrid was not just a fuel-efficient grocery-getter but also a capable off-road adventure machine. The interior was simple and functional, with tasteful shiny trim. While leather upholstery was unavailable, the base fabric seats were comfortable, and the interior materials were of good quality, though not as luxurious as some competitors.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for 2020, retained a familiar and comfortable feel, reminiscent of older Subaru models. The interior was fresher than the smaller Crosstrek, especially in trims above the base, which featured a bright and sharp 11.6-inch portrait display. Quality was evident in the materials used, with higher trims offering two-tone leather upholstery and contrast stitching. The Onyx Edition XT featured gray and black StarTex, a durable and water-resistant synthetic material. The exterior styling was smooth and plain, with high gray cladding on the wheel arches, sills, and bumpers. The Outback's tall stance and balanced appearance made it a great alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid boasted 219 horsepower, 16 more than the standard version, and an impressive combined EPA fuel economy rating of 40 miles per gallon. This fuel economy was consistently achievable in real-world testing. The RAV4 Hybrid's powertrain combined a 2.5-liter, 176-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors, driving all four wheels. The first electric motor delivered up to 118 hp to the front wheels, while the second motor, mounted under the cargo floor, provided 54 hp to the rear wheels. This setup eliminated the need for a heavy driveshaft, making the RAV4 Hybrid only about 200 pounds heavier than the non-hybrid model. The hybrid system provided plenty of instantaneous electric power, making the RAV4 Hybrid quicker to accelerate than the non-hybrid model. It also offered smooth regenerative braking and the ability to tow up to 1,750 pounds.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base 2.5-liter flat-four engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). However, this powertrain struggled to move the Outback's weight, especially when loaded with passengers and cargo. The XT trim, available on higher trims, featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving performance. The turbo engine was quieter, smoother, and more powerful than the base engine. The Outback's fuel economy was 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway for the base engine, and 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway for the turbo XT. The Outback's handling was designed for long-distance cruising, with a comfortable ride and excellent off-road capability thanks to its high ground clearance and Subaru's electronically-variable AWD system.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured excellent ergonomics, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen (an 8-inch screen was optional) positioned prominently on the dashboard. The center console included space for a cell phone, two cupholders, and a large storage bin. The RAV4 Hybrid's cabin was comfortable, with a particularly spacious rear seat offering impressive legroom. The cargo area provided 37.6 cubic feet of space, and the hybrid hardware did not intrude on interior or cargo space, maintaining the same 98.9 cubic feet of passenger volume as the standard RAV4.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, with ample headroom and legroom in all seating positions. The Outback's visibility was excellent, thanks to thin pillars and a low shoulder height. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and additional pockets in the front center console. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The Outback's best feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, which could be easily swiveled and locked in place.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard features, along with SiriusXM Radio. These features provided excellent infotainment options, surpassing Toyota's proprietary Entune multimedia software. The RAV4 Hybrid also offered WiFi Connect with a 3-month trial. The vehicle included multiple USB-A ports for charging, and the Predictive Efficient Drive system improved hybrid efficiency. Drivers could select different drive modes, including Eco, Sport, and Trail, to optimize performance.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system looked outdated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the optional navigation system was more modern. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system relied on forward-looking cameras, which could be less effective in certain conditions compared to systems that also use radar.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included a pre-collision system with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road-sign assist. The RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS. However, it had two safety recalls in 2020.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear emergency braking were available on higher trims. The Outback earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and four stars for the rollover test.