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.
The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander is a solid option outside of the usual crossover SUV choices but is often forgotten for a reason.
Pros Good base features Large touchscreen standard Available all-wheel drive across the range Updated styling for 2019
Cons Cheap interior feel Overworked inline-4 Thirsty, underpowered V-6 Tight third row Expensive active safety tech
Refreshed styling including new headlights.Steering and suspension tweaks for better ride comfort and handling.New rear-seat climate control vents.The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander is one of the least expensive SUVs you can buy with a third-row seat.
Pros Generous list of standard features Standard three-row seating
Cons Slow, noisy acceleration with the base four-cylinder Thirsty V6 is available only on the top-of-the-line GT Third-row seat is pretty small Limited Mitsubishi dealer network
For 2019, the Outlander receives a host of changes that include revised front-end styling and standard 18-inch wheels. Every model also has more supportive and comfortable front seats, upgraded interior trim, newly illuminated window controls, rear-seat climate-control vents, and an electric parking brake. Likewise, all gasoline-powered models have revised suspension and steering that Mitsubishi says has enhanced the handling and ride quality.
Pros Affordable three-row transportation, advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain, quiet and relaxed ride.
Cons Dull to drive, abysmal infotainment system, contentious front-end styling.
