2021 Jeep Renegade vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015 and refreshed in 2019, continued to carry over its rugged design inspired by the iconic Wrangler SUV. It featured a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. Inside, the Renegade boasted a modern, functional cabin with an upright center stack, offering trims like Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk. Each trim provided a variety of features, from push-button start and dual-zone climate control in the Sport to leather upholstery and heated front seats in the Limited.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, maintained a familiar and comfortable feel with analog gauges and a steering wheel design reminiscent of older models. The interior was fresher than the smaller Crosstrek, especially with the 11.6-inch portrait display available on Premium and above trims. Quality materials were evident, with Limited and Touring trims offering two-tone leather upholstery. The Onyx Edition XT featured gray and black StarTex upholstery with lime green stitching, adding a touch of flair. The exterior design remained smooth and plain, with high gray cladding on the wheel arches and bumpers, and adaptive LED headlights became standard for 2021.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The turbocharged engine provided better performance due to its higher torque, though the automatic transmission sometimes struggled with smooth shifts. The Renegade's ride quality was solid, with good maneuverability and visibility, making it a great city car. The Trailhawk trim, with its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and off-road suspension, was particularly capable off-road.

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 continuously variable transmission (CVT). This engine struggled with the Outback's weight, making it slow and noisy under load. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, providing significantly better performance. The Outback's ride comfort and handling were excellent, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and Subaru's electronically-variable all-wheel drive (AWD) system. The X-Mode feature optimized the vehicle for tougher road conditions, making the Outback highly capable off-road.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with them in use. Its tall, boxy design offered plenty of headroom and good legroom in the front seats, though the rear seats were less spacious. The Renegade featured numerous storage solutions, including small cubbies and trays, and the front passenger seat could fold forward for additional space.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, with ample headroom and legroom in all seating positions. The Outback's visibility was excellent, and it featured large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy storage pockets. 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 saving money.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Kenwood premium audio system was available.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system looked dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. The single large screen available on higher trims was more cohesive and useful than the dual-screen setup on the base model. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on cameras, which could be less effective in certain conditions.

For 2021, the Jeep Renegade made several previously optional safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. Adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and parking sensors were optional. The Renegade received a four-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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 standard on higher trims, and rear emergency braking was available on select models. The Outback earned a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and the rollover test.