2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. The analog gauges, steering wheel design, and seat forms were consistent with previous iterations, though the interior saw a refresh, especially in trims above the base level. The Premium trim and higher featured an 11.6-inch portrait display, which was bright, sharp, and integrated with polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Onyx Edition XT, in particular, stood out with its gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green contrast stitching, giving it a unique, rugged appeal. Externally, the Outback maintained its smooth and plain styling, with high gray cladding on the wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, and a few chrome accents. The 2021 model introduced a new brown paint option and standard adaptive LED headlights, but overall, it retained the appearance of a lifted wagon, a nod to its practical and versatile nature.

In contrast, the 2022 Volvo XC60 received subtle styling updates, including a new front fascia with "air blades" for a sportier look, a redesigned rear bumper that concealed the tailpipes, and new wheel designs. The front grille was reworked to house sensors for driver-assist systems behind the heated Volvo logo, ensuring functionality in cold weather. The interior remained largely unchanged, maintaining its clean design with a portrait-oriented touchscreen and minimal clutter. The B6 R-Design test car featured aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, adding a touch of flair, though the overall interior felt subdued compared to other Volvo models. The Inscription trim level offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, enhancing the luxury feel.

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, especially when fully loaded. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) did not help, making the Outback slow and noisy under stress. 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. This engine was quieter, smoother, and more powerful, making the Outback more capable of keeping up with traffic. Fuel economy for the turbo XT was slightly lower than the base engine, with an EPA-estimated 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway compared to 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. 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 electronically-variable all-wheel drive (AWD) system. The X-Mode feature optimized the vehicle for tougher road conditions, making the Outback highly proficient off-road.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 engines. The B5 combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 258 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. The B6 added an electric supercharger, boosting output to 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Both powertrains used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 offering standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional AWD, while the B6 came with AWD only. The B5 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds (6.6 seconds with FWD), and the B6 in 5.9 seconds. The XC60's standout features were its quiet cabin and comfortable ride, enhanced by the optional air suspension. The plug-in hybrid XC60 Recharge offered 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 5 seconds. The Polestar Engineered version increased output to 415 horsepower and 494 pound-feet, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.9 seconds, and included performance upgrades like Öhlins adjustable dampers and Akebono brakes.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive ground clearance, higher than many trucks, allowing it to tackle rough terrains without the bulk of larger vehicles. Inside, it provided 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, with ample headroom and legroom in all seating positions. Visibility was excellent, thanks to thin pillars and a low shoulder height. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front center console. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The standard roof rails with integrated crossbars were a standout feature, offering convenience and cost savings. The 11.6-inch touchscreen, while complicating some controls, was generally responsive and made adjusting settings easier.

The 2022 Volvo XC60's interior space remained competitive, with above-average front-seat headroom but limited rear-seat headroom. Legroom was average for the segment. The mild-hybrid models offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 49.8 cubic feet with them folded, while the plug-in hybrid models had slightly less space. The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good forward and rear visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors. Despite the somewhat pinched roofline, the XC60's visibility and driving position were strong points.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system felt outdated, with graphics and typefaces reminiscent of older gaming consoles. The user interface masked the modern tech underneath, making features like adaptive cruise control difficult to access. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the optional navigation system was more modern. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system relied on forward-looking cameras, which could be less effective in certain conditions compared to systems that also use radar.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen running the Android Automotive operating system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The system included Google Assistant for voice control, Google Maps for navigation, and access to third-party apps via the Google Play Store. Over-the-air software updates were also enabled. The system was compatible with iPhones, though Android users benefited more from syncing their Google profiles. The digital instrument cluster could display a map or a "Calm" setting to minimize distractions. The new layout with sideways swiping made the most of the screen space.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was optional on Premium trims and standard on higher trims. Rear emergency braking and a driver-attention monitor were available on specific trims. The Outback earned the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though it received four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and for the rollover test.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 had not been rated by IIHS or NHTSA for the 2022 model year, but the 2021 model received top ratings from both organizations. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic post-collision braking, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. New features for 2022 included Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. Volvo's Pilot Assist driver-assistance system, combining adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering, was available as an option.