2021 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 presented a bold and angular design, a departure from its traditionally cute and utilitarian look. This redesign aimed to enhance its rugged appearance, aligning with its proven durability. The TRD Off-Road trim, introduced in 2020, further emphasized this ruggedness with features like matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a specialized TRD suspension setup. The interior of the RAV4 TRD Off-Road was equipped with TRD logos, rubber floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, contrasting with the soft-touch materials and plush padding found throughout the cabin. The RAV4's trim levels ranged from the base LE to the top-tier Limited, with the TRD Off-Road sitting near the top of the lineup.

The 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older Subaru models, yet with a fresher interior compared to the smaller Crosstrek. The Outback's interior featured a large 11.6-inch portrait display on Premium and higher trims, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Onyx Edition XT offered a unique interior with gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green stitching. The exterior design was smooth and plain, with high gray cladding on the wheel arches and bumpers. The Outback's styling remained consistent, with minor updates like new paint options and standard adaptive LED headlights for 2021.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 was powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid variant offered 219 horsepower and up to 40 mpg in combined driving, though it was not available with the TRD Off-Road trim. The TRD Off-Road model featured a torque-vectoring AWD system, multi-terrain select settings, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, making it capable off-road. The 8-speed automatic transmission generally performed well, though it occasionally struggled with gear selection. The RAV4 averaged 23.4 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA estimate of 27 mpg.

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 CVT. This powertrain struggled with the Outback's weight, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT models offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, providing a significant improvement in performance. The Outback's AWD system was proactive, driving all four wheels and reacting quickly to changing conditions. The Outback's ride comfort and off-road capability were enhanced by its long-travel springs and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy entry and exit, with a low and sporty driving position in the 8-way adjustable driver's seat. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex upholstery, with heated and ventilated front seats available in the Weather Package. The rear seat provided generous legroom, and the cargo area offered 37.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The RAV4 also had a robust roof rack with crossbars and an optional hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive ground clearance, allowing it to tackle rough terrain without the bulk of larger vehicles. Inside, it offered 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The Outback's interior was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom, and excellent outward visibility. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and a handy pocket on the front center console. The Outback's roof rails with integrated crossbars were a standout feature, providing convenience and cost savings.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4's technology was user-friendly, with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The TRD Off-Road trim included an 8-inch system with menu shortcut buttons and knobs for easy use. The optional Technology Package added features like wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a digital rear-view mirror. The voice-recognition technology was particularly impressive, accurately responding to commands.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it included modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The single large screen on higher trims was more cohesive and useful than the dual-screen setup on the base model. Subaru EyeSight was standard, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system's functionality was impressive, though it relied solely on cameras without radar assistance.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included features like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, and lane departure alert with steering assist. The RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top marks for crash protection and ADAS performance, though headlight performance varied by model.

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