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Hyundai Elantra vs Mazda32021 Subaru Outback: Most Dependable Vehicle on the Road
With 97% of the Outbacks sold in the last ten years still on the road today, choosing a 2021 Subaru Outback as an investment vehicle is a no brainer.
What’s New for the 2021 Subaru Outback?
The 2021 Subaru Outback wagon has not seen many changes from previous years, but it stands as one of the most longest-lasting, durable, and safest vehicles on the road today. In fact, 97% of all Subarus sold in the last ten years are still on the road and running well.
2021 Subaru Outback – subaru.com | Shop 2021 Subaru Outback on Carsforsale.com
The Subaru Outback still comes with a standard Symmetrical all-wheel-drive that includes X-Mode, the best all-wheel-drive system in its class. But a new standard for this year to add to your safety is the Advanced Safety Eye-Sight Driver Assist Technology. Added in with LED Steering Responsive Headlights and you’ll be safe where ever you travel. Plus, Subaru has made Rear-Seat Reminder a standard this year.
The Breakdown
A rugged exterior design
8.7 inches of ground clearance
11.6-inch touchscreen available
Plenty of space inside
Great roof rail setup
Could have better stopping distance
Stop/Start technology is a little slow
Minimum to no changes from previous years
2021 Outback Specs
- 182 horsepower from base engine
- 176 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 7 available trims
- 30.5 cu-ft. of cargo capacity
- 75.7 cu-ft. of cargo capacity with seats down
- Two 12-volt outlets
- Available Harmon Kardon sound system
- LED steering responsive headlights
- 5 year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty
2021 Subaru Outback Powertrain
To start with the engine options, on the lower trim models you will be receiving a 2.5-liter Direct Injection Subaru Boxer engine. Like in the past, we’ve found this engine to be a bit sluggish. Only pushing out 182 horsepower and 176 Ib-ft of torque, this will get you from 0-60 mph in 8.7 seconds. Torque levels are also low, making it hard to take your dream off-road driving trips. But for around the city driving, you shouldn’t have much of a problem.
On higher-end trim options, starting with the Onyx Edition XT and then the Limited XT and Touring XT, you will receive a 2.4-liter Direct Injection Turbocharged Subaru Boxer engine. This will give you some extra power that you’ll enjoy on the back roads, merging on expressways, passing slower traffic, etc. Both engines will be backed by a very trustworthy CVT transmission.
All trim models come with Subaru’s X-Mode to work in-sync with the Symmetrical all-wheel-drive System. With the push of a button, X-Mode engages and monitors and manages brake appliance, torque between wheels, engine output, transmission, and it can adjust gear ratios to help you get out of some real sticking situations. You may not be able to tell which wheel is spinning and which one is stuck, but X-Mode uses its technology to get all four wheels planted on the road/trail gripping and going straight again.
Towing
This amazing wagon can tow up to 3,500 pounds when equipped with the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine. And even more impressive, the Subaru will still keep an average of 30 mpg on the highway while doing it.
2021 Subaru Outback Fuel Economy & MPG
The fuel economy for the 2021 Subaru Outback is really quite impressive for a vehicle that has the capabilities of an SUV. With the 2.5-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine, you’ll get an EPA estimated 26 City / 33 Hwy and for the 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged Boxer engine, you’ll get 23 City / 30 Hwy.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
We’re pleased to say that the 2021 Subaru Outback is truly a wagon you can depend on for space for everyone and just about everything. A six-foot person could fit into one of these Subaru Outbacks no problem. With 40.1 inches of headroom in the front and 39.1 inches in the rear, you should have no problems here. Although you do lose a little headroom in the front if a moonroof is optioned up. That headroom drops down to 37.7 inches with the moon roof.
Legroom in the front is 48.8 inches and for the rear is 39.5 inches, which is a little better than in previous years. There is plenty of passenger volume for the average-sized adult to fit inside even if you’re seating the driver and four other passengers.
Cargo volume numbers come in well, the Outback even offers more space than some larger crossovers. With the rear seats folded in the upright position, you get 32.5 cu-ft of cargo space, and with them folded down, you get 75.7 cu-ft of cargo space. That’s not to mention the easy to reach and use raised cargo rack on top of the Subaru wagon. Between the cargo space and the rack, you have plenty of room to go on long trips or vacations with more than just two people.
Entertainment & Technology
All 2021 Subaru Outbacks come with an available STARLINK 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus System (except for the base model) that will handle all of your technology needs. From music, navigation, phone integration, apps, and more, the screen is about the size of a tablet, with high resolution, and easy to use functions.
The gauge cluster is very simple looking. You have a digital tachometer with an engine temperature gauge at the bottom of it on one side of the cluster. On the other side of the display, you have an MPH gauge with your fuel gauge at the bottom of it. In the center of the four easy to read gauges, you have a small informational center. This gives you small bits of information like when X-Mode is engaged or if you’re not staying in your lane, safety alerts, car maintenance alerts, and more.
Safety Features
The 2021 Subaru Outback received a safety rating of five out of five stars from NHTSA, and the IIHS gave the best rating of Good in all six crash safety test. With standard LED Steering Responsive Headlights and EyeSight driver assistance suite standard the Outback’s safety rating is sure to stay up there.
All 2021 Subaru Outback models receive Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Pedestrian Detection, Front Automatic Emergency Braking, Automatic High Beams, and Lane-Keeping Assist.
Available safety features include Blind-Spot Monitoring, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Reverse Automatic Emergency Braking, some of which come standard on higher end trim models.
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trims & Pricing
Base – $26,795
The 2021 Subaru Outback base models offer you a wonderful safe vehicle to drive through just about everything. With its standard Symmetrical all-wheel-drive and X-Mode, standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, and available DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System, accidents should be the last thing on your mind.
There’s plenty of legroom for everyone even if you’re driving with four other passengers and more than enough cargo room for long trips. For those trips, you will get a STARLINK dual 7.0-inch Multimedia center to handle all your technology needs.
Premium – $29,795
With the Premium trim package, you will be upgrading to an 11.6-inch screen STARLINK Multimedia Plus for your technology needs. Navigation is optional, but you will have 4G LTE Wi-Fi capabilities so your phone can help with navigation. Dual-zone climate control will also be added to aid to everyone’s comfort and convenience. Like with the base model, you’ll get dual front USB ports, but two will be added to the rear row seats for those passengers as well.
Limited – $33,595
The Limited gives you an option to spruce up the look of the exterior a little with available 18-inch alloy wheels and a power tilt-sliding moon roof. You’ll also enjoy leather-trimmed upholstery and a hands-free rear gate with automatic close. And you can take advantage of a few extra safety features like Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Reverse Automatic Braking.
Onyx Edition XT – $35,145
This Onyx trim steps you up in power by adding a turbocharger to an already potent 2.4-liter Subaru Boxer engine. This upgrade works great with the all-wheel-drive and Dual Function X-Mode for Mud and Snow. Adding to the Onyx look, the Subaru gets Crystal Black Silica-finish side mirrors with integrated turn signals, and for comfort and protection, you also receive StarTex water-repellent upholstery.
Touring – $37,495
Stepping up to the Touring Subaru Outback, you’ll have standard STARLINK Multimedia Navigation on your 11.6-inch infotainment screen. Added in with your rear-vision camera, you will receive 180-degree front-view monitoring. Also, standard on the Limited, the Touring comes with an auto-dimming rearview compass mirror with HomeLink.
Limited XT – $37,995
The Limited XT throws all kinds of standard features at you. 18 x 7.0-inch aluminum-alloy wheels black with machine finish, body-colored door handles, two-position driver’s seat memory, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated seats, power mirror memory, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system to really get the listing experience you deserve.
Touring XT – $39,945
The last in the bunch, the Touring XT. This one also comes with a 2.4-liter turbocharged Subaru Boxer engine backed by a CVT transmission. And just about all of the other available options that come on the other Outback trim models can be added or deleted. You will see some extras like the body-colored door handles with chrome inserts, Satin chrome-finish power-folding side mirrors with turn signals, a CD player with your STARLINK Multi-Media Navigation System, and Nappa leather-trimmed upholstery.
Warranties
The New Car Limited Warranty is good for 3 years or 36,000 miles. Powertrain Limited warranty will take you 5 years or 60,000 miles. Wear Item Limited Warranty gives you 3 years or 36,000 miles. And Rust Perforation Limited Warranty offers five years of protection with unlimited miles.
What we think
2021 Subaru Outback – subaru.com | Shop 2021 Subaru Outback on Carsforsale.com
The 2021 Subaru Outback is an outstanding wagon that offers features that some crossovers and SUVs simply can’t. It is both safe and comfortable for drivers and passengers. It has capabilities like a crossover or SUV but still handles like a car. And with 8.7 inches ground clearance and Symmetrical all-wheel-drive with X-Mode, unless you’re doing something out of the ordinary, you most likely won’t have any reason to worry about getting stuck anywhere.
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