2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Subaru Outback retained its familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models, yet offered a fresher interior compared to its smaller sibling, the 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, with its gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green stitching, added a touch of flair. Externally, the Outback maintained its smooth and plain styling, with high gray cladding for protection and a few chrome accents. The 2021 model introduced adaptive LED headlights as standard and a new paint option, Brilliant Bronze Metallic.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus, originally the second-generation MKX, embraced a more attractive design after its 2019 facelift. The exterior remained largely unchanged for 2021, but the cabin received a significant update with a sharp new dash design, soft materials, and a large touchscreen. The Nautilus featured Lincoln’s “Piano Key” shifter-button layout, which was easy to use despite its unconventional nature. The infotainment system was a standout, with a 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen offering high-definition graphics and a user-friendly interface. The Nautilus was available in three trims: Standard, Reserve, and Black Label, each offering a range of luxury features and options.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine, a 2.5-liter flat-four, produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, which struggled to move the vehicle efficiently when fully loaded. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) further hampered performance, making the Outback feel slow and noisy. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing a significant improvement in power and refinement. The Outback excelled in ride comfort and off-road capability, thanks to its long-travel springs, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and Subaru’s proactive all-wheel-drive system.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The Reserve and Black Label trims offered a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6, producing 355 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6, standard on the Black Label, provided smooth and controlled acceleration, complemented by an adaptive suspension that offered a comfortable ride. The Nautilus also featured an engine stop-start system, although its response time was slightly delayed compared to competitors.

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, providing ample storage without awkward cutouts. The Outback's seats were comfortable, with excellent headroom and legroom, and visibility was superb. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and a handy front center console. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus provided up to 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 37.2 cubic feet with them in use. The Nautilus emphasized two-row comfort, with spacious and comfortable rear seats. The front seats, especially the available 22-way multi-contour units, offered exceptional comfort. The Nautilus featured a large center console bin and deep in-door pockets for storage. The floating center controls design allowed for additional storage space below the radio and climate controls.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, while functional, appeared dated with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. The system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the user interface was not intuitive. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, offered 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.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-definition graphics and a user-friendly menu layout. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons for easy navigation. The Nautilus also offered a wireless charging pad and a Revel 19-speaker premium audio system, providing excellent sound quality.

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 available on higher trims. The Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although it received four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and the rollover test.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came with the CoPilot360 package, offering a comprehensive list of driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and surround-view parking monitor were available. However, the standard backup camera was of low quality, affecting visibility in low-light conditions.