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.
For 2021 Optional diesel-powered engine is no longer offered.Minor changes to standard and optional feature availability.
Pros Comfortable and upscale interior Touchscreen interfaces are intuitive and easy to use
Cons Price with options runs higher than average for the class 1.5-liter turbocharged engine is disappointing Less cargo space behind the back seat than in most competitors
GMC hasn't made any big changes to the Terrain for 2021, but it has given the compact SUV a boost in the driver-assistance department. The Pro Safety Plus package now comes standard across the lineup and includes automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more.
Pros Spacious cabin and cargo area, efficient powertrains, brisk acceleration with the optional turbo four.
Cons A few cheap interior bits, annoying shifter buttons, expensive compared with class-leading SUVs.
The 2021 GMC Terrain's #11 ranking is based on its score within the Compact SUVs category. Currently the GMC Terrain has a score of 7.8 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 33 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Roomy cabin Good fuel economy Refined ride
Cons High starting price Sluggish base engine Small cargo capacity
