2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Honda HR-V

The 2021 Subaru Outback retained its familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models, yet offered a fresher interior compared to the smaller Crosstrek. The Outback's interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a bright and sharp 11.6-inch portrait display, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Onyx Edition XT stood out with its gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green stitching, adding a touch of flair. Externally, the Outback maintained its smooth and plain styling, with gray cladding on its wheel arches and bumpers, and a few chrome accents. The adaptive LED headlights became standard in 2021, enhancing its appeal as a lifted wagon alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda HR-V presented a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda's larger SUVs. Its distinctive styling included converging window lines near the taillights, housing the rear door handles. Most trims featured 17-inch alloy wheels, with the Sport model boasting matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. The interior was plain but functional, with good material quality and fit. Higher trims offered features like push-button start, automatic climate control, and leather upholstery, ensuring a solid feel without luxury pretensions.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was marked by its two engine options. The base 2.5-liter flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, struggled with the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) further hampered its performance, making it slow and noisy. However, the turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine available in the XT trims delivered a significant improvement, offering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, making it more capable and refined. The Outback excelled in ride comfort and off-road capability, thanks to its high ground clearance and Subaru's proactive all-wheel-drive system, which included X-Mode for tougher conditions.

The 2021 Honda HR-V, powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 141 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque, also used a CVT. While the HR-V was underpowered for highway driving, its chassis provided a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads, living up to Honda's reputation for fun cars. The HR-V's AWD system was suitable for slippery roads but not for rougher terrains, and it lacked towing capability.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space, with 76 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, and the seats provided ample headroom and legroom. Visibility was excellent, and storage solutions were practical, though some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were limited to higher trims. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2021 Honda HR-V excelled in cargo space for its size, thanks to the "Magic Seat" rear bench, providing up to 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space. It led the segment in rear-seat legroom, though front-seat legroom and headroom were average. The HR-V's interior controls were sensibly designed, with large knobs for climate control and a standard tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel for easy adjustment.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered modern tech features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, though it relied solely on cameras, affecting performance in certain conditions.

The 2021 Honda HR-V's base LX trim offered basic tech features, while higher trims included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was functional, with USB ports conveniently located. However, the small screen size and lack of standard connectivity features across all trims were drawbacks.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted a strong and stiff chassis, with standard airbags and available driver assists on higher trims. It earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with the latter awarding it five stars overall. The Outback's safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear emergency braking on select trims.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top safety scores from the IIHS and NHTSA, though its headlight ratings varied by trim. Honda Sensing safety features were available only on higher trims, offering a comprehensive suite of driver aids, including LaneWatch, which provided a camera view of the blind spot.