2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2020 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Subaru Outback was a testament to Subaru's commitment to incremental improvement while maintaining its core strengths of utility, safety, and performance. The sixth-generation Outback was built on Subaru’s Global Platform, boasting a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine, although appearing similar to its predecessor, was redesigned with 90% new parts, offering 182 horsepower. For those seeking more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent was available in higher trims. Externally, changes were subtle, with noticeable updates to the head- and taillights. Inside, the Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen on all but the base trim, and introduced DriverFocus, a tech usually reserved for luxury brands, which used facial recognition to adjust settings and monitor driver alertness.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, continued to offer a robust presence with its large silhouette and subtle updates from its 2018 facelift. The new Nightshade Special Edition was the highlight for 2021, adding a touch of modernity. Inside, the Sequoia's design felt dated, with a massive center dash and a standard 7-inch touchscreen that seemed small against the expansive dashboard. However, the cabin was spacious, especially in the second row, offering ample headroom and legroom. The Sequoia was available in several trims, each adding unique features, with the Nightshade edition offering black leather upholstery and second-row captain’s chairs. The TRD Pro trim catered to off-road enthusiasts with its specialized suspension and skid plates.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower and a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged engine allowed the Outback to accelerate to 60 mph in about 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that mimicked a traditional automatic transmission, minimizing the typical CVT drawbacks. Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive system provided consistent power delivery and enhanced stability, both on and off-road. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance and upgraded X-Mode on the Onyx XT, the Outback was capable of handling various terrains, though it wasn't designed for extreme off-roading.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration despite the Sequoia's hefty weight. The Sequoia's driving dynamics were reminiscent of a truck, with a soft suspension and powerful brakes. It could tow up to 7,400 pounds, which was less than some competitors but still respectable. The Sequoia's wide stance helped manage body roll in corners, and its brakes, while strong, could be touchy.

The 2020 Subaru Outback excelled in functionality, offering 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior was spacious enough for tall passengers, with excellent headroom and legroom. Subaru prioritized visibility, providing great sightlines in most directions, though the rear quarters had a notable blind spot. The Outback's design balanced exterior compactness with interior spaciousness, making it a practical choice for families and adventurers alike.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a cavernous interior, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 120 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia offered ample storage options, including deep door pockets and a large center console. Despite its age, the Sequoia remained a practical choice for those needing substantial cargo and passenger space.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was visually impressive but suffered from lag across various functions. While the screen was easy to navigate, some controls were buried within menus, and the camera resolution was subpar. Despite these issues, the system had potential, offering a modern interface that appealed to tech-savvy buyers.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional 9-inch screen on higher trims. The infotainment system, though dated, was user-friendly and included modern smartphone connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The simplicity of the system was a plus, making it easy to navigate through menus and functions.

The 2020 Subaru Outback included a comprehensive safety suite, with standard all-wheel drive and features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. However, the DriverFocus system was problematic, frequently issuing alerts even when the driver was attentive. Subaru's EyeSight system, while standard, could be disrupted by environmental factors, leading to occasional deactivation.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, offering features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. While it lacked some advanced technologies like lane-keeping assist, the Sequoia provided a solid array of safety features. However, its older platform resulted in a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA, and it had not been fully crash-tested.