The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is another year older and another step behind its competitors in every area but price.
Pros Inexpensive Reasonably stylish Spacious interior Larger touchscreen
Cons Noisy and slow Short on standard safety tech Subpar fuel economy Lackluster quality
The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport comes with front wheel drive, and all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: continuously variable-speed automatic.Refreshed exterior design.New ES Convenience package includes new, larger touchscreen.Midlevel SE trim adds advanced safety features.
Pros Well-equipped for the price Excellent warranty coverage
Cons Ride quality is rough over bumpy roads Many interior materials look and feel cheap to the touch Transmission is aggravating due to slow responses Raucous drone while accelerating, especially with 2.0-liter engine
Though it's based on the same platform that it's used since 2011, the Outlander Sport did get marked improvements for 2020. Restyled inside and out, it sheds some of the baby pudge from its old styling by trading soft edges for sharper, more deliberate lines, especially in its nose and headlamps. There's a new 18-inch wheel design and LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights across the range. The interior gets new climate-control knobs and there's an inch added to its infotainment screen on some trims, upping it to 8.0 inches.
Pros Refreshed look, good warranty, relatively low price.
Cons Lethargic base engine, no manual transmission, still not great inside.
The 2021 Subaru Outback hangs on to its remarkably rugged stance as it grows more refined than ever.
Pros Capable as ever Big 11.6-inch touchscreen A roomy interior Excellent safety record Rides very well
Cons Careful styling Moderate acceleration from base engine Needs more small-item storage
The 2021 Subaru Outback comes with a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. basic warranty, a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 5 yr./ 60000 mi. powertrain warranty.Adaptive LED headlights now standard on all trims.Seat-belt reminder standard for all passengers.Reminder to check rear seat added as standard safety feature.
Pros Spacious cabin and smooth, comfortable ride Optional turbocharged engine provides plenty of power Loading the roof or cargo area is easier than in most SUVs Above-average off-road ability
Cons Big touchscreen is slow to respond and buries many controls in complicated menus Slow acceleration from standard engine Native voice recognition system isn't very accurate
The Outback was redesigned from the ground up for the 2020 model year, so for 2021 Subaru has made only three minor changes: Adaptive headlamps, a rear-seat reminder system, and a passenger's seatbelt warning light and chime are now standard across the lineup.
Pros Ground clearance helps off-road or in snow, spacious cabin, tons of available tech.
Cons Unhurried acceleration, ho-hum driving dynamics, indistinct exterior styling.
