2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The third generation of the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class was introduced for the 2020 model year and carried over to 2021. Initially launched as the GL-Class in 2006, it was intended to replace the boxy G-Class. However, the G-Class' popularity kept it around, so the GL appealed to more pragmatic but equally affluent customers. The name-change from “GL” to “GLS” occurred halfway through the model's second generation. The 2021 GLS featured softened angles and lines, making it appear less bulky than its predecessors. Inside, it boasted a futuristic cabin with a massive digital screen spanning nearly two-thirds of the dash, emphasizing its tech-reliant controls.

The GLS was available in three levels: GLS 450, GLS 580, and the performance-oriented Mercedes-AMG GLS 63. Standard features on the GLS 450 included remote keyless entry, remote start, nine USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a power liftgate. The GLS 580 added V8 power and additional content like massaging front seats and five-zone automatic climate control. The AMG GLS 63 distinguished itself with aggressive bodywork, quad-outlet exhaust, and a chrome, slotted grille. Inside, it featured a performance-inspired flat-bottomed sport steering wheel with a leather strip on an Alcantara wheel.

The 2021 Subaru Outback was redesigned for the 2020 model year, maintaining a familiar and comfortable feel. The analog gauges, steering wheel spokes, and seats had a similar form to older models. However, the interior was fresher, especially with the 11.6-inch portrait display available on Premium and above trims. This display was bright, sharp, and integrated with polished black plastic and physical buttons. The Outback's quality was evident, 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 wildness to the otherwise practical vehicle.

Externally, the Outback wore gray cladding on its wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, emphasizing its ruggedness. The styling remained smooth and plain, with a few chrome flourishes and bracket-shaped LED running lights. For 2021, adaptive LED headlights became standard, and a new brown paint, Brilliant Bronze Metallic, was available on the Premium trim. The Outback's standout feature was its lifted wagon design, making it a great alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

The entry-level 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, producing 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The GLS 580 featured a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, delivering 483 hp and 516 lb-ft. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes' 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. The AMG GLS 63 came with a hand-crafted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, generating 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed AMG twin-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. All engines included Mercedes’ EQ Boost 48-volt mild-hybrid system, adding an extra 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque when needed.

The AMG GLS 63 could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds, with a top speed of 174 miles per hour. The GLS 63 featured an adaptive, adjustable air suspension system, allowing ground clearance adjustments between 7.9 inches and 8.5 inches. It also had double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, providing precise cornering. The GLS had multiple drive-mode settings, including Individual, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, controlled by a dial and buttons on the sport steering wheel. Despite its size, the GLS offered a hushed, composed ride, easily maneuverable in the city or a busy parking lot.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base trim was powered by a 2.5-liter flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine struggled to move the vehicle, especially when loaded with passengers and cargo. The XT models, available on the Limited, Touring, and Onyx Edition, featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine, delivering 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm. This engine provided a significant improvement in performance, making the Outback more capable of keeping up with traffic.

The Outback's handling was squishy, and its steering imprecise, but it excelled as a long-distance cruiser. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Outback could handle rough roads and off-road conditions. Subaru’s electronically-variable AWD system was proactive, always driving all four wheels and reacting quickly to varying torque splits. The Outback's X-Mode optimized the throttle, CVT ratio, stability control, and torque split for tougher road conditions. The Onyx Edition added two more driving modes for snow and mud, making the Outback more proficient off-road than many crossovers and SUVs.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class offered three rows of spacious seating, with ample headroom and legroom for first- and second-row occupants. Seven-passenger seating was standard, but optional second-row captains’ chairs reduced capacity to six. The front-row passengers could slide their seats back, and rear-seat passengers still had plenty of space. The third row was less spacious but still suitable for full-size adults. The GLS had 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats up, 42.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded.

The GLS featured numerous storage compartments, including spacious in-door bins, a combination cup-holder/wireless-charging pad, and a center console with butterfly doors. However, the center console was too small for a purse.

The 2021 Subaru Outback had 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 oddly-shaped cutouts or intrusive wheel arches. Headroom and legroom were ample in all four outboard seating positions, and the seats were comfortable and supportive. The Outback offered superb outward visibility, thanks to thin pillars, a low shoulder height, and lots of glass.

Storage was another plus for the Outback, with large map pockets and bottle holders in each door, a handy pocket on either side of the front center console, and a small shelf on the passenger-side dash. However, push-button start and rear climate vents were standard only on Limited and above trims. The Outback's best feature was its standard roof rails and integrated crossbars, which could be swiveled and locked in place within seconds.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with the new MBUX infotainment system, featuring a massive touch screen and a simple trackpad. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but required a USB-C cable to connect. The MBUX voice-control system could understand complex commands and was activated by saying “Mercedes” or “Hey Mercedes.” The GLS also had a fully-digital instrument panel, controlled by touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system looked outdated, with graphics and typefaces similar to the Nintendo Wii. The central screen in the instrument panel was worse. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the optional navigation was more modern-looking. Subaru EyeSight was standard on all trims, including adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system offered good semi-automated control on marked highways but relied solely on forward-looking cameras, which could be impeded around tighter curves.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a host of driver-assistance features, including Active Brake Assist, forward-collision avoidance, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. Other standard safety features included automatic parking assist, a surround-view camera system, a driver-drowsiness monitor, and crosswind assist. Available safety tech included lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, adaptive cruise control, and a following-distance indicator. The GLS also had a full array of front-and-side-impact airbags, traction control, self-tensioning seatbelts, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

The 2021 Subaru Outback rode on a stronger and stiffer chassis than previous models. A driver’s knee airbag and passenger seat-cushion airbag were standard. More driver assists were available on specific trims, including blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rear emergency braking, and a driver-attention monitor. The Outback was a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+," earning top ratings in all crash tests and for headlights, plus the top rating for forward emergency braking. The NHTSA gave 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.