2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2021 Subaru Outback retained a 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 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 high gray cladding on its wheel arches and bumpers, emphasizing its lifted wagon design. The addition of adaptive LED headlights as standard was a notable update for 2021.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson showcased a bold new design with a long-wheelbase model in the U.S., offering a spacious two-row seating and expanded cargo area. The Tucson's exterior featured a parametric grille with integrated LED lights, creating a distinctive look. Its side profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra's design, with a floating roof effect achieved by a silver D-pillar. The rear boasted toothy LED taillights, enhancing its standout appearance among compact SUVs. The Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch wheels, depending on the trim, and offered premium features like gloss black pillars and a panoramic sunroof on higher trims. The interior was well-appointed, with stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats and a spacious cabin, making it a strong contender in its segment.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was anchored by its 2.5-liter flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. However, this engine struggled with the Outback's weight, especially when fully loaded, resulting in sluggish acceleration and noise. The XT trims offered a significant upgrade with a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, providing a more refined and capable driving experience. The Outback's fuel economy varied, with the base engine achieving 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, while the turbo XT managed 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. The Outback excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its electronically-variable AWD and X-Mode, making it a formidable choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and a hybrid variant with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, producing 226 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid powertrain provided a more engaging driving experience, especially in challenging conditions. The Tucson's fuel efficiency was commendable, with the ICE engine achieving 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, while the hybrid boasted 37 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. The Tucson's AWD system performed admirably in off-road tests, offering a level of capability comparable to Subaru's renowned AWD system.

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 cabin provided ample headroom and legroom, ensuring comfort for all passengers. The Outback's visibility was excellent, aided by thin pillars and a low shoulder height. Storage solutions were abundant, with 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 2022 Hyundai Tucson's interior was spacious and well-appointed, rivaling its competitors in the compact SUV segment. It offered a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat as standard, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. The Tucson's cabin provided ample space for passengers and cargo, with 74.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity, comparable to its rivals. The rear seats featured a 60-40 split-folding bench, and a dual-level cargo floor was available on ICE models. A hands-free liftgate was offered on mid-grade models and above, enhancing convenience for loading and unloading.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system felt dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. Despite this, it offered modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The optional navigation system was more visually appealing, but the base model's dual-screen setup was less cohesive. Subaru EyeSight was standard across all trims, providing adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on cameras, which could limit its effectiveness in certain conditions.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with a robust set of standard tech features, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a 4.2-inch multi-information display. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, though it required wired connections for smartphone integration. The Tucson's tech package included a fully digital instrument cluster and dual-zone automatic climate control. The touchpoints on the center console were responsive, but their flat design could make them challenging to use while driving.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted a strong and stiff chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. It offered a range of driver-assist features, including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on higher trims. The Outback earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a five-star overall rating from the latter. Its forward emergency braking system received a "Superior" rating, contributing to its reputation as a safe vehicle.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. However, it featured the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, offering a comprehensive array of standard and available safety technologies. These included forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Additional features like blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system were available, providing a level of safety comparable to luxury SUVs. Hyundai's extensive warranty coverage further enhanced the Tucson's appeal.