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.
Pros Refined Cheap to run Build quality
Cons Small for an SUV Expensive top trims Infotainment touchpad
It might be a bit quirky for some, but quiet EV power really suits the Lexus vibe
Pros Slick, sophisticated, well judged
Cons Suffers slightly from not being a bespoke e-platform
If you live in a city, are hankering after a posh compact SUV and fancy going electric, we can see why the Lexus UX300e would be a tempting proposition. It’s well-equipped, pleasant to drive and comes with the promise of Lexus’s excellent reliability record. However, if you have a family or frequently need to do longer journeys, there is a plethora of more spacious rivals out there, the Kia e-Niro, Tesla Model 3, Volkswagen ID.4 (or even the ID.3) and Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric being among them. All those cars offer significantly longer ranges, faster charging, better infotainment and much more interior space.
Pros Well-equipped Comfortable ride Reliability record
Cons Cramped rear seat space and boot Short range and slow charging Frustrating infotainment
