2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured a distinctive design with its tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights, which some might have described as frog-like. Kia, however, marketed the Sportage’s styling as “Euro-focused.” This two-row crossover SUV had a relatively short wheelbase and short overhangs, making it ideal for city driving. The headlights carried over from the 2020 model, and the Sportage could be equipped with 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen display served as a stylish centerpiece, flanked by air vents and physical buttons for tuning and volume. The interior, while not the most tech-forward, was still a pleasant place to sit.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. The analog gauges, steering wheel design, and seat forms were similar to previous versions. However, the interior was fresher compared to the smaller 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. Higher trims featured an 11.6-inch portrait display, which was bright and sharp, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Outback’s quality was evident, with substantial window switches, dash padding, and surface materials. The exterior featured gray cladding on the wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, with a smooth and plain styling. The 2021 model introduced a new brown paint option and standard adaptive LED headlights.

The 2021 Kia Sportage was available in LX, EX, or SX Turbo trims with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, delivering 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. All Sportage models had a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the FWD Sportage with the 2.4-liter engine was 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD models saw a slight dip. The turbocharged models had lower fuel economy, with the FWD version at 20/28/23 and the AWD at 19/24/21. The Sportage’s suspension provided a smooth ride, though the steering and tire grip left something to be desired. The SX Turbo trim offered a sportier drive, making it a rewarding crossover for those who enjoyed a bit of hustle.

The 2021 Subaru Outback’s base trim featured a 2.5-liter flat-four engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This powertrain struggled to move the Outback’s weight, especially when loaded with passengers and cargo, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trims, available on the Limited, Touring, and Onyx Edition, featured a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing a significant performance boost. The turbocharged engine was quieter, smoother, and more powerful than the base engine. Fuel economy for the turbo XT was slightly lower than the base engine, at 23 mpg city and 30 highway compared to 26/33. The Outback’s handling was squishy, but its ride comfort and ground clearance made it a capable long-distance cruiser. Subaru’s AWD system was proactive and effective, with X-Mode optimizing performance for tougher road conditions.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space for passengers. The SX Turbo trim featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 8-way power adjustment for the passenger, along with heated and ventilated seats. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, but cargo space was limited. The Sportage provided 30.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was not competitive with other compact crossovers.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive ground clearance, higher than many trucks, allowing it to tackle various terrains without being oversized. Inside, it 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, free of intrusive elements. Headroom and legroom were ample, and outward visibility was excellent. 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 standard roof rails with integrated crossbars were a standout feature, providing convenience and cost savings. The 11.6-inch touchscreen complicated climate controls but was generally responsive and useful.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard. Most trims also included Kia’s UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The technology was user-friendly, with logical menus, physical buttons, and handy knobs, making it easy to use without being groundbreaking.

The 2021 Subaru Outback’s infotainment system looked dated, with graphics and typefaces reminiscent of older technology. The central screen in the instrument panel was particularly outdated. However, the system included modern tech like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The optional navigation was more modern-looking. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system offered good semi-automated control but relied solely on forward-looking cameras, which could be impeded in certain conditions.

The 2021 Kia Sportage excelled in safety, with standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage earned Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and performed well in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests.

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 crash tests and 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 four stars for the rollover test.