2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover

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, in particular, showcased a unique interior with gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green contrast stitching, adding a touch of flair to the otherwise practical design. Externally, the Outback maintained its smooth and plain styling, with high gray cladding on its wheel arches and bumpers, emphasizing its lifted wagon design.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover underwent an evolutionary redesign, maintaining its broad, rounded face and large expanses of sheet metal. The most notable change was at the rear, where thin LED strips replaced the old square taillights. Inside, the Range Rover simplified its design with fewer buttons and a larger tablet-like touchscreen, giving the cabin a modern look. The materials used were of premium quality, with leather and rich wood trim elements, creating a luxurious atmosphere. The Range Rover's solid feel and quiet cabin further enhanced its premium appeal, making it a standout in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine, a 2.5-liter flat-four, produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, which struggled to move the vehicle efficiently, especially when fully loaded. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) did not help, as it could not adjust to the engine's limited power band, resulting in a slow and noisy driving experience. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving performance. The Outback's handling was more about comfort than sportiness, with its high ground clearance and long-travel springs allowing it to tackle rough roads with ease. Subaru's all-wheel-drive system was proactive, providing excellent off-road capability.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover offered two powertrains: the base P400 with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six and a mild hybrid system, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, and the P530 with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, delivering 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. The P400 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, impressive for its size. The Range Rover's handling was surprisingly agile for a large SUV, with well-managed body roll and standard rear-wheel steering aiding maneuverability. The Terrain Response system optimized off-road performance, making the Range Rover a capable luxury SUV both on and off the road.

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, with excellent outward visibility. Storage solutions were plentiful, 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, a practical and cost-effective solution for carrying additional cargo.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover boasted spaciousness in the first two rows, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The front seats offered long-distance comfort with available massage functions, while the second row provided ample space for taller passengers. The optional third row was less accommodating for adults but suitable for smaller passengers. Cargo space was limited to 17.1 cubic feet behind the third row but expanded to 93 cubic feet with the seats folded. The split tailgate and adjustable air suspension height made loading cargo easier, adding to the Range Rover's practicality.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system felt outdated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Subaru EyeSight system provided adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking, though it relied solely on cameras, which could limit functionality in certain conditions.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover featured a new Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 13-inch touchscreen, offering sharper graphics and quicker responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a wireless charging pad. The Meridian audio system delivered impressive sound quality, with an optional 35-speaker upgrade available. Additional tech features included Amazon Alexa integration, remote automated parking, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2021 Subaru Outback was built on a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. It offered a range of driver assists, including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Outback earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a five-star overall rating from the latter.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. While crash test results were not available, the Range Rover's safety features performed well during testing, providing confidence in its protective capabilities.