Motor Trend - USA (2020-09)

SPECS Vehicle Layout Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV
Engine 2.4L/260-hp/277-lb-ft turbo DOHC 16-valve flat-4
Transmission Cont variable auto Curb Weight (F/R Dist) 3,900
lb (MT est) 0-60 MPH 6.1 sec (MT est) EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel
Econ 23/30/26 mpg Energy Cons, City/Hwy 147/112 kW-hr/100
miles CO2 Emissions, Comb 0.75 lb/mile

Length 191.3”

Width 73.0” Wheelbase 108.1”

MERCEDES-BENZ

GLE 450

ARRIVAL

BMW

228i

SUBARU

ASCENT

VERDICT

MAZDA3

RAM

1500 LARAMIE

JEEP

WRANGLER

VOLVO S60

UPDATE

VERDICT

CHRYSLER

PACIFICA

HYUNDAI

KONA

SEPTEMBER 2020 MOTORTREND.COM 73

“It’s difficult to compare vehicles

without driving them back to back.

So that’s what we did.” Kelly Lin

Service life:

7 mo/11,429 mi • Avg Fuel Econ: 27.3 mpg

Avg CO2 0.71 lb/mi Energy cons 125 kW-hr/100 mi Unresolved

problems None Maintenance cost $0 Normal-wear cost $0

Base price $29,945 As tested $31,509 EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel

Econ 25/33/28 mpg Real MPG 29.2 mpg comb

Toyota RAV4 vs. RAV4 Hybrid

premium over a regular RAV4

on a comparable trim level.

But keep in mind that hybrid

models come standard with

AWD while regular models

come standard with FWD. If

you compare hybrid models

to regular AWD models of a

comparable trim level, the

hybrids are only $1,000 more

expensive. Notably, passenger

and cargo space are the same

whether you opt for the RAV4

or RAV4 Hybrid.

The gas-only RAV4 benefits

from a wider selection of trim

levels. For example, if you want

the outdoor-ready Adventure

or TRD Off-Road model, your

only option is the gas model.

Although not particu-

larly quick, the RAV4 offers

adequate acceleration. For

those willing to spend a little

more, the RAV4 Hybrid is a

good choice because of its

noticeably smoother power-

train and much better fuel

economy. An XSE variant is

unique to the hybrid model,

featuring a special exterior

with black accents as well as a

“sport-tuned” suspension.

T

he only way to really

get to know a car is to

compare it to something

else. So for a week, I swapped

my RAV4 for a RAV4 Hybrid in

an experiment that proved

rather revealing. If I had to

sum it up, the RAV4 Hybrid felt

like the overachieving sibling

that doesn’t get its fair share

of attention. That said, both

models have their own sets of

advantages and disadvantages.

Although it makes only 16

more horsepower, the RAV4

Hybrid is almost a full second

quicker to 60 mph than our

long-term RAV4. Instead of

taking 8 seconds to reach 60,

the hybrid does the deed in

7.1 seconds. Overall, the RAV4

Hybrid feels better off the line.

The hybrid moves quickly and

effortlessly, while the regular

model suffers from a gravelly

engine quality and more accel-

eration lag. The RAV4 Hybrid

also boasts a significant fuel

economy advantage, topping

out at 40 mpg as opposed to

30 mpg.

In terms of price, the RAV4

Hybrid carries a $2,400

GENESIS G70

TOYOTA

RAV4

UPDATE

We opted for the only
package Subaru offers on the
Outback Onyx, which adds a
moonroof, a TomTom-based
built-in navigation system,
and reverse automatic emer-
gency braking. Finished in
the classic-Subaru Autumn
Green Metallic color, our
$37,995 Outback looks good.
By going for the turbocharged
engine instead of the 182-hp
base engine at this price point,
however, we miss out on
steering-responsive head-
lights, a driver’s seat-bottom
cushion extension, ventilated
front seats (in addition to
the Onyx’s heated function),
power-folding side mirrors,
and Nappa leather seats.
Then again, maybe we
won’t miss fancy leather seats
after experiencing the Onyx-
specific StarTex upholstery.
In a time when a few SUVs
are offered without AWD

available at any price, it’s

ironic that a lifted AWD wagon

with easy-to-use retractable

crossbars exemplifies one

of the original purposes of

SUVs: high functionality with

some space for people and

their stuff. Yet the Outback’s

promise is more than that;

this Subaru marries capability

with comfort. I’ve already

appreciated the abundance of

soft surfaces almost every-

where I can touch or dig my

elbows, and certain potholes

in my neighborhood feel like

mere road imperfections.

Depending on how you

define it, 2021 may be the year

you don’t need two full hands

to count the number of new

wagons for sale in the U.S. The

Outback’s otherness and value

have been part of the model’s

success from the beginning,

and we can’t wait to find out if

it still has that Subaru magic.

Height 63.9”

KIA SOUL

Have questions about the interior or
anything else on our 2020 Outback 2.4T?
Let me know @zachgale on Instagram.

SUBARU

OUTBACK

ARRIVAL

TOYOTA SUPRA

UPDATE