2020 Toyota RAV4 vs 2020 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 boasted a significant design overhaul following its 2019 model year redesign. This new look gave the SUV a bolder, more angular appearance aimed at reinforcing its reputation for durability. Toyota's aim was to make the RAV4 look as tough as it had always proven to be. Competing with models such as the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V, the refreshed RAV4 stood out with its more rugged aesthetics.

The RAV4’s 2020 lineup included multiple trims, with the TRD Off-Road sitting near the top. This specific trim featured matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires appropriate for severe snow conditions, and a specialized Toyota Racing Development (TRD) suspension setup. This setup offered a remarkable ride across various surfaces. In addition to these unique features, the TRD Off-Road was distinguishable by its badges, wheels, and a special paint option like the Lunar Rock gray with a white roof, which was excellent at hiding dirt.

The Subaru Outback, for its 2020 model year, aimed for incremental but meaningful improvements. Although the exterior didn’t look drastically different from its predecessor, attentive observers could pick out the refreshed headlights and taillights. The real story of the sixth-generation Outback lay beneath the surface and inside the cabin.

Built on Subaru’s Global Platform, the 2020 Outback featured a structure claimed to be 70% more rigid than before. This iteration brought forward an 11.6-inch touchscreen for all but the base trim, lending a modern, tech-savvy feel to the interior. The real standout feature was DriverFocus, a system using infrared monitoring to alert sleepy or distracted drivers and adjust settings based on facial recognition. This level of technology, usually found in luxury brands, added a touch of sophistication to the Outback’s user experience.

Under the hood, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 was powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, putting out 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. While it did offer a hybrid version with an impressive 40 mpg in combined driving and 219 horsepower, this hybrid option wasn’t available with the TRD Off-Road trim. The RAV4's non-turbo, non-hybrid powertrain showcased decent vigor, particularly in Sport mode. The 8-speed automatic transmission generally performed well, although it occasionally struggled with gear selection.

The TRD Off-Road model's torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system came with fuel-saving driveline disconnect technology and multi-terrain select settings like Snow, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt. Combined with a downhill assist control system and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road excelled in rugged terrain. Fuel economy was a mixed bag, with an average of 23.4 mpg falling short of the EPA's 27 mpg estimate in combined driving. The all-terrain tires, while suitable for off-roading, weren’t ideal for fast, winding mountain roads.

The Subaru Outback’s base powertrain featured an upgraded 2.5-liter engine with direct injection, generating 182 horsepower. This engine added up to 1 mpg in city and highway categories over the previous year’s engine, posting 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. More performance-oriented buyers could opt for the XT trims, which used a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, offering a robust 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This setup enabled the Outback to hit 60 mph in around 7 seconds.

Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), tuned to minimize the usual complaints of droning and rubberbanding. Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system provided consistent power delivery and enhanced vehicle stability, both on and off the road. The Outback also featured 8.7 inches of ground clearance and an advanced X-Mode for tackling more challenging terrains, although its approach and departure angles suggested it wasn’t meant to compete with the most rugged off-road vehicles.

Inside, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered a blend of comfort and practicality. The driver’s seat was 8-way adjustable, providing a low, sporty seating position. While the passenger seat lacked height adjustment, it delivered good thigh support. The rear seats offered generous legroom, making them suitable for adults and children alike, and rear air vents and USB ports kept passengers comfortable and connected.

Interior storage was plentiful, highlighted by a dashboard shelf that stretched across the cabin. The RAV4’s cargo capacity was impressive, offering 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The hands-free power liftgate option added convenience, making it easier to access the cargo area.

The Subaru Outback combined wagon-like practicality with SUV capabilities. It offered 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded flat. This was achieved with the help of handy levers located in the trunk. The increased interior volume, partly due to a wider space between the rear wheels, made the Outback roomier than its predecessors.

Despite its larger interior, the Outback maintained a trim exterior profile, providing excellent headroom and legroom. Taller occupants, such as someone over six feet, could sit comfortably both in the front and back. Subaru’s focus on proportion also translated into better visibility, albeit with some minor issues concerning blind spots.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured an array of user-friendly technology, depending on the trim level. The infotainment system was available with either a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen, with the TRD Off-Road featuring the larger screen. Key features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The Technology Package added useful elements like wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a digital rear-view mirror with adjustable live video feed.

The Subaru Outback’s centerpiece was its 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen. While it was visually striking and mostly intuitive, the system suffered from noticeable lag, affecting various functions from navigation to radio adjustments. Despite this drawback, the layout was generally user-friendly, though some features like ventilated seat controls were a bit too buried within the touchscreen interface. Camera resolution, another weak spot, fell short of expectations, particularly given the screen’s size.

Safety was a strong suit for the 2020 Toyota RAV4. All models came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), encompassing features like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and front and rear parking assist with automated braking. The RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though this was specifically for models with full LED, curve-adaptive headlights.

Subaru’s standard safety suite impressed, particularly with features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. However, the DriverFocus system, designed to alert drowsy or distracted drivers, underperformed. It frequently issued unnecessary alerts, which could be distracting and frustrating. The EyeSight system, though standard and generally reliable, had occasional issues with deactivation due to environmental factors such as fog or mud.