2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a highly anticipated addition to the Ford lineup, designed as a smaller sibling to the rugged Bronco. It featured a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of the Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs for better off-road capability. The tall fender wells and tucked-in body sides were crafted for trail driving, minimizing the risk of catching on obstructions. The front grille and tailgate prominently displayed the "BRONCO" name, with a smaller "SPORT" postscript, while the Ford blue oval appeared modestly on the tailgate. The wheels varied by trim, from 17-inch Sparkle Silver on the Base model to 18-inch machined-face aluminum on the Outer Banks, with options for all-terrain tires on higher trims.

Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful design. The HVAC vents had a unique shape that unified the cabin's look, and the center stack featured convenient storage cubbies topped by an 8-inch infotainment screen. The rotary gear selector and cupholders were centrally located. Interior trim levels ranged from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, with the First Edition boasting Navy Pier Leather power front seats. The cargo area featured practical touches like a rubberized floor and second-row seat protector, with options for carpeted floor mats and rubberized flooring.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for 2020, retained a familiar and comfortable feel, with analog gauges and a steering wheel design reminiscent of older models. The base trim featured two 7-inch touchscreens, while higher trims boasted an 11.6-inch portrait display with chrome trim and leatherette wrapping. The interior quality was a significant improvement over pre-2015 models, with substantial window switches, dash padding, and surface materials. The Onyx Edition XT featured gray and black StarTex upholstery with lime green contrast stitching, adding a touch of flair.

Externally, the Outback's gray cladding on wheel arches, sills, and bumpers protected the paint from scratches. The styling was smooth and plain, with chrome flourishes on the window trim and LED running lights. For 2021, Subaru introduced a new brown paint option and made adaptive LED headlights standard. The Outback's lifted wagon design offered a great alternative to typical crossovers and SUVs, maintaining a consistent appearance since its early days.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition trims came with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. On-road, it provided a comfortable ride, with the 2.0-liter engine better suited to its character.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine was a 2.5-liter flat-four producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This combination struggled to move the vehicle, especially when loaded. The XT trims offered a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, providing a significant performance boost. The turbo engine was quieter, smoother, and more powerful than the base engine. The Outback's handling was designed for long-distance cruising, with a comfortable ride and high ground clearance. Subaru's electronically-variable all-wheel drive and X-Mode enhanced its off-road capabilities, making it more proficient than many crossovers and SUVs.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like a cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford offered over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting various gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof), and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds, while the 1.5-liter engine could tow 2,000 pounds. The cargo area included a flip-up rear glass, a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin had ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive ground clearance, surpassing many trucks and SUVs. It provided 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 elements. The interior offered ample headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seats. Outward visibility was excellent, thanks to thin pillars and a low shoulder height. 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 Outback's roof rails and integrated crossbars were a standout feature, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa, and SiriusXM. FordConnect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard. The base audio system had six speakers, while a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The terrain management system offered up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, with trail control technology for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on all trims except the Base, and higher trims featured heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system had outdated graphics and typefaces, but it offered modern tech like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The optional navigation system was more visually appealing. 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 with radar. The single large screen on higher trims was more cohesive and useful than the dual-screen setup on the base model.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, dynamic brake support, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control, lane centering, evasive steering assist, navigation, and road-sign recognition. Trailer sway control was available with the tow package. All models had all-wheel drive and a terrain management system with traction control, anti-lock braking, and electronic stability control. Crash-worthiness ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured 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 and a driver-attention monitor were available on select trims. The Outback earned a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award, with top ratings in all crash tests and for headlights, and a "Superior" rating for forward emergency braking. NHTSA awarded the Outback five stars overall, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and for the rollover test.