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.
All-new plug-in hybrid model
Pros Impressive number of standard and optional features Lots of second- and third-row legroom for the class Sharp-looking and easy-to-use infotainment system
Cons Not as compact as the last-generation Sorento
A plug-in-hybrid model joins the Sorento lineup for the 2022 model year. Its powertrain combines a turbocharged four-cylinder and six-speed automatic transmission with an electric motor for a total system output of 261 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard, and Kia claims the plug-in Sorento has a combined fuel-economy rating of 79 MPGe and an electric-only range of 32 miles. While we don't know how much the PHEV variant will cost, we know it'll be offered in two top-tier trims: SX and SX-P.
Pros Looks classy and rugged inside and out, lots of powertrain options, pleasant to drive, and comfy to ride in.
Cons Adults should avoid the third row, bigger touchscreen skips wireless smartphone mirroring, cargo space can be compromised.
