2021 Ford Bronco vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Ford Bronco had been eagerly anticipated since Ford teased the public with the Bronco Concept vehicle in 2004. The excitement only grew with the release of the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a compact crossover SUV built on the Ford Escape platform, featuring standard all-wheel drive and adventure-ready styling. The original Bronco, produced from 1966 to 1996, was renowned for its off-road capabilities and remains a popular choice for customization.

The new Bronco drew inspiration from its classic predecessor, embracing a "Retrofuturism" design philosophy that updated the iconic look with modern technology and materials. The Bronco's exterior featured a single-piece grille with bold B-R-O-N-C-O lettering, round headlights, and removable off-road sights on the hood. It came in two-door and four-door configurations, with a range of tire and wheel options, including the Sasquatch package's 35-inch tires. The interior combined retro styling with modern technology, including a color touchscreen and digitized instrument cluster, while maintaining a rugged and functional feel.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. The interior featured analog gauges, a steering wheel with more buttons, and seats with a similar form. However, the Outback's interior was fresher than the smaller 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, especially in higher trims with an 11.6-inch portrait display. The display was bright and sharp, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim, with physical buttons for essential functions.

Quality was evident in the Outback's interior, with substantial window switches, dash padding, and surface materials. Higher trims offered two-tone leather upholstery and contrast stitching, while the Onyx Edition XT featured gray and black StarTex, a water-resistant synthetic material. The exterior of the Outback was smooth and plain, with high gray cladding on the wheel arches, sills, and bumpers. The Outback's styling remained consistent, with a few chrome accents and bracket-shaped LED running lights. The 2021 model introduced a new brown paint option and standard adaptive LED headlights.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a standard 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four with 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 310 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The 2.3-liter engine came with a seven-speed manual transmission, while the 2.7-liter engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which was also optional for the 2.3-liter. All Bronco models featured standard four-wheel drive.

During a test drive in Holly, Michigan, the Bronco demonstrated its off-road prowess in challenging conditions, including mud, slick rock, and treacherous trails. On pavement and dirt roads, the Bronco drove like an off-road truck, with the First Edition trim model's 35-inch tires providing a noisy and wiggly ride. The 2.7-liter engine and 10-speed automatic transmission delivered smooth power and responsive performance. Off-road, the Bronco's short-wheelbase, two-door model with the Sasquatch package handled various terrain conditions with ease, offering excellent traction, balance, and fun driving experience.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine was a 2.5-liter flat-four with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The base engine struggled to move the Outback's weight, especially when loaded with passengers and cargo, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trim levels offered a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing a significant improvement in power and refinement.

The Outback's handling was designed for long-distance cruising, with a comfortable and tranquil ride. Its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and long-travel springs allowed it to handle rough roads and off-road conditions effectively. Subaru's electronically-variable all-wheel drive system provided proactive torque distribution, enhancing the Outback's off-road capabilities. The X-Mode feature optimized the vehicle's performance for tougher conditions, making the Outback more proficient off-road than many crossovers and SUVs.

The 2021 Ford Bronco's designers and engineers utilized market research to create a modular and functional SUV. The Bronco featured removable doors with dedicated storage bags, integrated grip handles, and simple electrical connections. The cargo hold provided space for door storage, and the doors had QR codes for video instructions on removal and replacement. The Bronco also offered standard under-chassis protection, removable fenders and bumpers, and a one-piece front grille for easy repair and replacement.

The Bronco's hood featured trail sights with tie-down holes for roof-mounted cargo, and the interior included switches for differential and suspension settings, as well as toggle switches for auxiliary equipment. These features demonstrated the Bronco's thoughtful design and creative problem-solving, making it a practical and versatile off-road vehicle.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive ground clearance, allowing it to navigate rough terrain without the drawbacks of larger vehicles. The Outback 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 wheel arches, making it practical for various uses.

The Outback's interior provided ample headroom and legroom in all seating positions, with comfortable and supportive seats. Outward visibility was excellent, thanks to thin pillars and a low shoulder height. The vehicle also offered ample storage, including large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front center console. However, some features, such as push-button start and rear climate vents, were only available on higher trims. The Outback's standard roof rails with integrated crossbars were a standout feature, providing convenience and cost savings.

The 2021 Ford Bronco featured the G.O.A.T. system (Go Over Any Terrain) with up to seven drive modes, depending on the trim level. The Bronco used Ford's SYNC 4 infotainment system with an 8-inch standard touchscreen, upgradeable to a 12-inch touchscreen with the High Package. The Lux Package added a 10-speaker B&O sound system, voice-activated navigation, and a wireless charging pad. Push-button start was standard, with proximity key entry available in higher trims. The Sasquatch Package included position-sensitive Bilstein shock absorbers for enhanced off-road capability.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared outdated, with graphics and typefaces reminiscent of older technology. However, it offered modern features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Outback's adaptive cruise control had four settings, but adjusting them was challenging. 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 impeded in certain conditions, affecting its performance.

The 2021 Ford Bronco's safety features were packaged by trim level. The Base model included airbags, while higher trims added features such as Ford Co-Pilot 360, pre-collision assist, blind-spot information, lane-keeping system, and auto high-beam headlamps. The High Package added a 360-degree camera, forward-sensing system, and side-view mirror LED approach lamps. The Bronco's side curtain airbags were designed to deploy appropriately in off-road situations, considering lean angle and roll speed. Crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not yet available.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee airbag and passenger seat-cushion airbag. Higher trims offered additional driver assists, such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear emergency braking. The Outback earned the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award for 2020, with top ratings in crash tests and forward emergency braking. NHTSA awarded the 2021 Outback an overall five-star rating, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and four stars for the rollover test.