2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Subaru Outback underwent a facelift, featuring a new front end with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding. This design gave the Outback a more aggressive appearance, especially with the addition of a jutting simulated skid plate, fog lights in oversized housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented the bold cladding, making it a more appealing choice for those who preferred a darker paint color to tone down the design's excesses. The Outback's interior, particularly in the Touring trim, was praised for its upscale feel, with Java Brown leather and contrasting stitching that added a touch of luxury. Despite some hard plastic elements, the interior did not feel cheap, and the vehicle's practicality was enhanced by features like the flat, textured door sills.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner retained its classic, albeit outdated, design, with a boxy shape that suited its rugged personality. The flared fenders and chunky grille added to its brawny stance, while the TRD Pro model's underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires emphasized its off-road capabilities. Inside, the 4Runner showed its age with old-school styling and last-generation technology features, such as an analog instrument panel and a small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. The interior was filled with hard plastic, but cushioned panels on commonly touched surfaces provided some comfort. Despite its dated design, the 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility and practical features like a sliding glass rear window and a hitch receiver, making it a functional choice for off-road enthusiasts.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured a standard 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). While the engine provided a characteristic Subaru grumble, it lacked power for passing and climbing, and its fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, achieving only 25.6 mpg in real-world testing. The Outback XT models, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, offered more satisfying performance but at the cost of reduced fuel efficiency and a higher price. All Outback models came with standard all-wheel drive and an Active Torque Split AWD system, enhancing their off-road capabilities. The Outback's suspension provided a comfortable ride, and its handling was commendable, though the standard engine's lack of power was a notable drawback.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. While the powertrain specs were competitive, the 4Runner's transmission limited its responsiveness and fuel economy. The TRD Pro model came standard with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, making it well-suited for off-roading. On pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration and a loud engine and exhaust. The soft suspension, while beneficial for off-road articulation, resulted in body roll and floatiness on the road. Despite these drawbacks, the 4Runner's off-road capabilities were impressive, with features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select enhancing its performance on challenging terrain.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a robust roof rack and flat door sills, while also offering comfort with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats wrapped in premium Nappa leather. The interior provided ample space for passengers and cargo, with 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 75.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Outback's design made it easy to enter and exit, and its practical storage solutions, like the dashboard shelf, added to its functionality. However, wind noise on the highway was a minor irritant.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though dated, was functional, with easy-to-use climate controls and sturdy handles for off-road stability. The front seats offered plenty of space, but the steering wheel's limited telescoping range could be an issue for taller drivers. The second row provided ample legroom, though headroom was limited for taller passengers. The 4Runner offered 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 89.7 cubic feet with the seats stowed, though the process of folding the seats was cumbersome. The sliding glass rear window and party speakers in the hatch were unique features, and the 4Runner's towing capacity of 5,000 pounds added to its versatility.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the graphics and voice recognition system were criticized. The system included a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and optional navigation and premium audio. Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera, though a surround-view camera was not available.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system, though road noise often obscured the sound quality. Off-road controls were located in the headliner console, with Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select enhancing the 4Runner's capabilities.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was equipped with Subaru's EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The system's new features, such as Automatic Emergency Steering, enhanced safety, though the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist were criticized for their artificial feel. The Outback earned top safety ratings from the IIHS.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from the NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection. It included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and a blind-spot monitor, though the system's sensitivity was noted. The TRD Pro and Limited trims offered a surround-view camera system, enhancing safety.