2011 Subaru Outback vs. 2011 Toyota Venza | ||
| When you're in the market for a cross-trainer or crossover, you want something that gets you safely to your destination in style, comfort and without a large price tag. The 2011 Toyota Venza is new to the crossover market and competes with the established 2011 Subaru Outback. While both vehicles seem like great choices, only the Subaru offers upscale interiors, symmetrical AWD and a lower pricetag. Don't take our word for it, schedule a test drive at Subaru of Keene and decide for yourself. | ||
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Styling - Interior and Exterior | ||||
The 2011 Toyota Venza is a crossover between a minivan and an SUV, but takes styling cues from a dull minivan like interior. While the Venza will get you from point A to point B, the inoffensive styling will not turn heads or raise eyebrows. The Subaru Outback has a well-known vehicle design that won the award for Sport Utility of the Year by Motor Trend, while the Venza has not. The steering wheel mounted controls for audio function and Bluetooth phone pairing are easy to use and placed conveniently in the Outback. The layout on the Outback does not take risks, but totes an upscale look and easy to use controls. The redesigned Outback has over 8-inches of ground clearance for high, truck like ground clearance, perfect for higher seat elevation and for questionable terrain.
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2010 Model - Same design and basic features as the 2011
Price - Don't pay more for AWD |
| The 2011 Outback
has a starting price of around $23,000, while the 2011 Venza
with AWD starts at $28,000. Why pay $5,000 more for AWD?
Symmetrical AWD is a life saving feature on all Subaru models
that provides power to all four wheels, all the time.
Part-time AWD systems, like the one found in the optional AWD
system on the Venza, only sends power to the wheels when the
vehicle senses slippage. Wouldn't you rather have that
protection all the time, not just when your vehicle "senses"
tire slippage? We thought so, that's why the Subaru comes
with AWD as a standard feature, without the extra
costs. |
Engine Design - Flat is better |
| When it comes to choosing an engine for your vehicle, whether that is a 4 or 6-cylinder, can be confusing for most people. Toyota uses a V-type engine to power its AWD ($28,000) Venza. The Subaru Outback comes equipped with a 4 or 6-cylinder flat Boxer engine. The difference is in the design. The Boxer's pistons move from side to side like two boxers punching. This creates less cabin vibration, reduced wear and tear and balanced power sent to the wheels from the symmetrical all-wheel drive train. While V-type engines are popular on vehicles such as Honda and Toyota, only Subaru and Porsche use the Boxer style. |
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