2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Subaru Outback

Ford had taken a “small, medium, large, XL” approach to SUV production with the 2021 Explorer fitting neatly into the lineup. The Explorer bore a striking family resemblance to its siblings, the Escape, Edge, and Expedition, all starting with “E.” This naming convention was reminiscent of the 1950s when manufacturers hoped customers would stick with the brand for life, moving up the price ladder.

The Explorer looked good from the outside, though it was sometimes hard to distinguish it from the Edge at a quick glance. It featured sporty, raked belt lines and squinting visages that set it apart from other brands' SUVs. Depending on the trim, the grille varied from black to full chrome, with six trim levels ranging from the base model to the Platinum. Inside, the Explorer offered three rows of seats as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model. The dash was clean, featuring an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a rotary gearshift that freed up storage space.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stretched the notion of the Outback being a station wagon, edging closer to a Jeep with its 9.5 inches of ground clearance and aggressive all-terrain tires. It featured a unique grille design, black 17-inch wheels, and a matte black hood decal. The roof rack and rail system could support a 700-pound static load, making it ideal for rooftop camping. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, with heated seats and a black headliner. The Wilderness package included waterproof rear seatback material and a waterproof cargo tray, adding purpose and personality to the Outback's styling.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, at its lightest, weighed 4,345 pounds. Its base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine provided 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, outperforming the Kia Telluride’s V6 engine. The Explorer Limited Hybrid offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, with the sport-oriented Explorer ST offering 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer excelled in towing, with capacities ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Weighing 3,896 pounds, it had a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The EPA estimated 24 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing averaged 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route. The Outback Wilderness had a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters. It came standard with all-wheel drive, 9.5 inches of ground clearance, and all-terrain tires. The Wilderness trim also included a dual function X-Mode traction system and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, making it the most capable Outback ever.

The 2021 Ford Explorer had seating for seven in the base model, with captain’s chairs in the second row reducing capacity to six in other trims. It offered 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers and 21 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row deployed. With the rear seats folded, the Explorer provided 81 cubic feet of cargo room, which was less impressive compared to some competitors.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 8-way for the front passenger. The rear seat offered generous space for two adults or three kids, with heated seats and dual USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Charging options included two USB ports and five 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness had an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment and climate control system. While it had physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less responsive than Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available on other trims. However, it featured PIN code entry technology, allowing the key fob to be left inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores on all crash tests and an “Acceptable” rating for adaptive headlights. It came with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. It also had steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Outback Wilderness did not have Subaru's DriverFocus distraction mitigation technology. The 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.