2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 showcased BMW's renowned high-quality craftsmanship. As part of BMW's true SUV range, the X5 was unmistakably a BMW, from its kidney grille to its body shape. The luxury SUV featured full adaptive LED headlights, matte aluminum grilles, and satin aluminum finishes on standard xLine models, while M Sport models boasted body-color matched trims and high-gloss black accents. The interior, though filled with familiar BMW parts, offered plenty of leather and soft-touch materials, with M Sport models adding unique, aggressive styling elements.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for 2020, retained a familiar and comfortable feel. The interior, fresher than the smaller Crosstrek, featured a bright 11.6-inch portrait display on Premium and above trims, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. Quality materials were evident, especially in Limited and Touring trims with two-tone leather upholstery. The Onyx Edition XT introduced gray and black StarTex upholstery with lime green stitching, adding a touch of wildness to the otherwise practical and straightforward design. The exterior maintained a smooth, plain styling with high gray cladding for protection.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine delivering 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i came with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, achieving 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M reached 600 hp, or 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model provided 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with up to 30 miles of all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering and handling dynamics were less engaging than expected, resembling a Lincoln more than a typical BMW. Fuel efficiency varied, with the X5 M at 15 mpg combined, the X5 M50i at 18 mpg, the X5 xDrive at 23 mpg, and the X5 xDrive45e at 20 mpg combined or 50 MPGe with electric power.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base 2.5-liter flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, struggled with the vehicle's weight, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT models, with a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine, offered a significant improvement with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing better acceleration and refinement. Fuel economy for the turbo XT was slightly lower at 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway compared to the base engine's 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. The Outback excelled in ride comfort and off-road capability, with its high ground clearance and Subaru's advanced AWD system, making it a reliable and versatile choice for various driving conditions.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders conveniently placed and a wireless phone charging pad out of the driver's line of sight. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard on longer drives. The rear seats accommodated two adults comfortably, and an optional third row was available. The split liftgate and vehicle height adjustment button facilitated easy loading of cargo. Without the third row, the cargo area was spacious, though the xDrive45e offered slightly less space. However, the rear doors did not open very wide, making it challenging to move children and cargo in and out.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space, with 76 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, free of intrusive elements. Ample headroom and legroom in all seating positions, combined with excellent outward visibility, made for a comfortable and practical interior. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front center console. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The standard roof rails with integrated crossbars were a standout feature, providing convenience and cost savings.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a robust set of standard features, including a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional upgrades included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hot spot, premium audio systems, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, though dated in appearance, offered modern functionality. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with optional navigation available. The Subaru EyeSight system, standard on all trims, provided adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on forward-looking cameras, which could be less effective in certain conditions compared to systems using both cameras and radar. The single large touchscreen on higher trims was more cohesive and user-friendly than the dual-screen setup on the base model.

The 2021 BMW X5 came equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the adaptive cruise control system had issues with timely reactions to stopped traffic and lane-keeping functionality, especially in sunny or rainy conditions. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Additional driver assists were available on higher trims, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear emergency braking, and a driver-attention monitor. 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 awarded the Outback an overall five-star rating, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and for the rollover test.