2021 Ford Expedition vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum greeted us at Los Angeles International Airport, a welcome sight after a tiring redeye flight from Maui. With six passengers, each carrying a suitcase and a backpack, the plush and roomy Expedition seemed perfect. However, it quickly became apparent that the SUV couldn't accommodate all our luggage, forcing one passenger to hold her suitcase on her lap for the 40-mile ride to the suburbs. Despite this, the Expedition Platinum's luxurious features, including Magnetic gray paint, 4WD, and a Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package, made it a visually appealing and comfortable ride.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stood out with its increased ground clearance of 9.5 inches, aggressive all-terrain tires, and unique design elements like a matte black hood decal and Anodized Copper accents. The interior featured dark gray StarTex water-repellant upholstery, a black headliner, and Gunmetal Gray trim, creating a rugged yet stylish look. The Outback Wilderness also offered practical features like a new roof rack system capable of supporting a 700-pound static load, making it ideal for outdoor adventures.

The 2021 Ford Expedition came equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, except for the Platinum trim, which boasted 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided impressive acceleration even with a full load. The Expedition's towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, and it featured Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology for easier trailer maneuvering. However, the ride quality suffered due to the Platinum's 22-inch wheels, transmitting road shock into the cabin despite the adaptive damping suspension.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine, combined with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided adequate power for the 3,896-pound SUV, with a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The Outback Wilderness averaged 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route, slightly below the EPA's 24 mpg estimate. While the CVT's droning and soft gear changes detracted from the driving experience, the Wilderness excelled off-road with its 9.5 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and dual function X-Mode traction system.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's primary drawback was its inability to transport more than five people and their luggage simultaneously. However, the Expedition MAX variant offered more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 121.5 cubic feet. The Expedition's interior featured large, comfortable seats, with the front seats offering a massage function. The independent rear suspension ensured a smooth ride, and the cargo volume expanded to 104.6 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded down.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness's interior was wrapped in dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could become uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated and offered power adjustments, while the rear seats provided ample space for two adults or three children. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also featured a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's Sync 3 infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. The system was user-friendly but sometimes slow to respond. The test vehicle included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. However, it lacked the available dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which controlled most functions except for stereo volume, tuning, and temperature control. The voice recognition technology required specific prompts, making it less user-friendly. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was surprising given its target demographic. However, it featured PIN code entry technology, allowing users to leave the key fob inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

The 2021 Ford Expedition earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking assistance, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. It also had steering-responsive headlights, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Outback Wilderness earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.