2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E was a bold move by Ford, blending the iconic Mustang styling with a modern electric crossover SUV design. Its long, narrow, and tall dimensions, adorned with galloping horse emblems, scowling headlights, and tri-bar taillights, created a unique visual appeal that resonated with fans of the legendary pony car. Since its debut in 2021, Ford produced over 150,000 units, offering various trims like Select, Premium, California Route 1, and GT, with prices ranging from $45,995 to $63,995, plus a destination charge. The GT trim, in particular, stood out with its aggressive styling, featuring revised bumpers, unique 20-inch wheels, and a dark front panel resembling a traditional grille. Inside, the Mach-E GT exuded luxury with its artificial leather and synthetic suede seats, copper stitching, and high-tech ambiance, making it a compelling blend of past, present, and future.

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its rugged charm with a few updates, such as a new front fascia and LED fog lights for the Wilderness trim. The Autumn Green Metallic color of the Touring XT model, with its dark gray cladding, added a surprisingly appealing touch. The Outback's trims varied in black and chrome exterior fittings, with tasteful chrome accents on the Touring trim. Wheel designs differed across trims, with the Wilderness trim featuring matte black wheels. Inside, the top-trim Touring XT impressed with Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, offering a more luxurious feel than expected from Subaru. The Outback's interior was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom, and the cargo area provided 32.6 cubic feet of space with all seats in place, expanding to 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of power and efficiency options, with standard-range and extended-range battery packs and single-motor RWD or dual-motor AWD systems. Horsepower varied from 266 to 480, with torque ranging from 317 to 634 lb-ft, and driving range spanning 224 to 312 miles. The GT trim featured an extended-range battery and AWD, delivering 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds and a 270-mile range. The GT Performance Edition package increased torque to 634 lb-ft, reduced range to 260 miles, and enhanced performance with adaptive damping suspension, larger brakes, and summer tires. The Mach-E GT's driving modes, including Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled, modified its behavior, while the exclusive Unbridled Extend mode was designed for racetrack use. Despite its firm suspension, the Mach-E GT offered impressive driving dynamics and efficiency, achieving 2.7 miles per kWh during testing.

The 2024 Subaru Outback featured a "Boxer" engine, with a 2.5-liter flat-four producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque as the default. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, upgraded to a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. Subaru's Symmetrical AWD and Lineartronic CVT were standard. The Touring XT's turbo engine provided a better fit for the vehicle's weight, and the CVT mimicked eight distinct gears, enhancing the driving experience. The Outback's steering was adequate, and its suspension contributed to a comfortable ride. The Wilderness trim offered 9.2 inches of ground clearance and all-terrain tires, with Subaru's X-Mode providing selectable Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, with its crossover SUV design, offered practicality alongside its sporty appeal. It accommodated up to five passengers and provided 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space, including a sizable front trunk. The GT trim featured eight-way power-adjustable and heated front seats wrapped in black ActiveX artificial leather and Miko synthetic suede. The stylish center console offered ample storage, and the rear seats provided comfort for passengers, with a panoramic glass roof enhancing the airy environment. The Mach-E's cargo area measured 29.7 cubic feet, expanding to 59.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and the 4.7 cubic feet frunk included a drain plug for easy cleaning.

The 2024 Subaru Outback, despite its sleek proportions, did not compromise on interior space. It offered more headroom and legroom than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The cargo area measured 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Outback's features included dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat starting with the Premium trim. The Limited trim added a powered front passenger seat and heated rear seats, while the Touring trim offered ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The hands-free power liftgate and power moonroof were available on higher trims, and the raised roof rails with retractable cross bars added practicality.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured a 15.5-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen running on Ford's Sync 4A infotainment platform, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect, SiriusXM 360L, navigation, and wireless smartphone charging. The system learned user habits and provided predictive suggestions, while the Bang & Olufsen premium sound system delivered excellent audio quality. The Mach-E also included a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and Phone As A Key technology, allowing smartphone-based vehicle access.

The 2024 Subaru Outback's top-trim Touring model featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen, with the Subaru Starlink multimedia platform offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with hard buttons for defoggers and temperature adjustments. Wi-Fi capability, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and SiriusXM were standard, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system available on most trims. The base model had a four-speaker system, while the Premium trim offered six speakers.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E came with Ford's Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 technology, including the BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system. BlueCruise 1.2 added features like lane-change and predictive speed assist functions. The Mach-E received top marks from the IIHS and was a Top Safety Pick for 2022, though NHTSA ratings for 2023 were incomplete.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies was standard, with features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. The Touring trim added a wide-angle camera, digital rearview mirror, and driver-attention monitor.