2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2020 Subaru Outback

2020 Subaru Outback
2020 Subaru Outback
$26,645MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volvo XC40
2021 Volvo XC40
$33,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Subaru Outback
$26,645MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volvo XC40
$33,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$26,645

MSRP

$33,700

Average price

$28,492

Average price

$33,861

Listings

114

Listings

49

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10
Pros
  • Standard all-wheel drive
  • Excellent value for money
  • Spacious
Cons
  • Sluggish touchscreen response
  • Underwhelming base engine

2020 Subaru Outback Reviews Summary

Subaru kept the wagon vibes rolling while the rest of the world fell in love with SUVs and crossovers. And, although the 2020 Outback is technically a midsize crossover, one look will have you remembering summer drives in an overstuffed station wagon down a busy highway, whether you actually took those trips or not. And that’s not a bad thing. The Outback has always provided utility, performance, and looks, and those things have made it Subaru’s top-selling model. With the updates for this sixth generation, I wouldn’t be surprised to see people falling in love with the station wagon again.

2021 Volvo XC40 Reviews Summary

Introduced for the 2019 model year, the Volvo XC40 enters 2021 with one major change—the addition of an all-electric powertrain option. The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge is the Scandinavian automaker’s first mass-market pure electric vehicle, in fact.

The Recharge will be sold alongside gasoline versions of the XC40, which carry over largely unchanged, and compete against small luxury crossovers like the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, and Lexus UX. With its electric powertrain, the Recharge is a de facto Tesla Model Y competitor. It’s also priced similar to high-end versions of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, although the two electric crossovers have somewhat different philosophies.

In addition to that zero-emission powertrain, the Recharge gets an Android-based operating system, over-the-air (OTA) software update capability for all vehicle systems, and some updates to driver-assist tech. These changes don’t apply to gasoline 2021 XC40 models, but Volvo does plan to add the Android operating system to more vehicles in the future.

Since the Recharge is the main new thing for the 2021 XC40, that’s what we focused on for this review. While the gasoline XC40 is available in three trim levels—Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription—with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada, the Recharge is only offered in a single trim level.

No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.5L 182 hp H4

Engine

2.0L 187 hp I4

Drive Train

AWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

182 hp @ 5800 rpm

Horsepower

187 hp @ 4700 rpm

MPG City

26

MPG City

23

MPG Highway

33

MPG Highway

32
2020 Subaru Outback
2020 Subaru Outback
$26,645MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volvo XC40
2021 Volvo XC40
$33,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Subaru Outback
$26,645MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volvo XC40
$33,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$26,645
$33,700
Average price
$28,492
$33,861
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews
4.5
4.5
Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10

Read full review

8.0 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Standard all-wheel drive
  • Excellent value for money
  • Spacious
Cons
  • Sluggish touchscreen response
  • Underwhelming base engine
Summary
Subaru kept the wagon vibes rolling while the rest of the world fell in love with SUVs and crossovers. And, although the 2020 Outback is technically a midsize crossover, one look will have you remembering summer drives in an overstuffed station wagon down a busy highway, whether you actually took those trips or not. And that’s not a bad thing. The Outback has always provided utility, performance, and looks, and those things have made it Subaru’s top-selling model. With the updates for this sixth generation, I wouldn’t be surprised to see people falling in love with the station wagon again.

Introduced for the 2019 model year, the Volvo XC40 enters 2021 with one major change—the addition of an all-electric powertrain option. The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge is the Scandinavian automaker’s first mass-market pure electric vehicle, in fact.

The Recharge will be sold alongside gasoline versions of the XC40, which carry over largely unchanged, and compete against small luxury crossovers like the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, and Lexus UX. With its electric powertrain, the Recharge is a de facto Tesla Model Y competitor. It’s also priced similar to high-end versions of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, although the two electric crossovers have somewhat different philosophies.

In addition to that zero-emission powertrain, the Recharge gets an Android-based operating system, over-the-air (OTA) software update capability for all vehicle systems, and some updates to driver-assist tech. These changes don’t apply to gasoline 2021 XC40 models, but Volvo does plan to add the Android operating system to more vehicles in the future.

Since the Recharge is the main new thing for the 2021 XC40, that’s what we focused on for this review. While the gasoline XC40 is available in three trim levels—Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription—with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada, the Recharge is only offered in a single trim level.

Video
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
2.5L 182 hp H4
2.0L 187 hp I4
Drive Train
AWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
182 hp @ 5800 rpm
187 hp @ 4700 rpm
MPG City
26
23
MPG Highway
33
32
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