2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe was a pleasant surprise in terms of value. Typically, new vehicles seemed overpriced, but the Santa Fe defied this trend. Once you experienced its interior, materials, and controls, the price tag seemed almost too low for what you got. The Santa Fe offered a choice of two new gasoline engines and a gas-electric hybrid powertrain, with pricing ranging from $26,850 to $39,950 MSRP. The exterior featured a redesigned front end with new running lights, grille, and bumper, while the interior boasted new colors, patterns, and textures, elevating its market position. The Calligraphy trim, in particular, exuded quality with its premium leather and panoramic sunroof, making it feel like a steal at $43,590.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, on the other hand, pushed the boundaries of what an Outback could be, almost resembling a Jeep with its 9.5 inches of ground clearance and aggressive all-terrain tires. It featured a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and a matte black hood decal. The interior was dominated by dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, with heated seats but no ventilation. The Wilderness trim added purpose and personality to the Outback's styling, making it stand out. Priced at $36,995 plus a $1,125 destination charge, the Outback Wilderness was positioned between the Onyx XT and Limited XT trims.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered three new powertrains. The SE and SEL trims came with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid model combined a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric drive motor, producing a total of 226 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with the turbocharged engine providing a fuel economy of 24 mpg in combined driving. During testing, it averaged 22.4 mpg.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine gave the Wilderness a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The EPA estimated a fuel efficiency of 24 mpg in combined driving, but testing showed an average of 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route. The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios, but its droning and soft simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The Wilderness trim included all-wheel drive, 9.5 inches of ground clearance, and all-terrain tires, making it highly capable off-road. It also had improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, along with a dual function X-Mode traction system.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a spacious interior without a third-row seat, making it ideal for those who didn't need the extra seating. It featured dual-zone automatic climate control, stain-resistant fabric or leather seats, and a luxurious Calligraphy trim with premium Nappa leather. The Santa Fe provided comfortable seating with power adjustments, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat was spacious and included air-conditioning vents, USB ports, and sunshades. The cargo area offered 36.4 cubic feet of space, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be 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 kids, along with air conditioning vents and USB ports. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy was loaded with technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a surround-view camera system, and an 8.5-inch color head-up display. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the basic 8-inch touchscreen, while the 10.25-inch touchscreen included wired versions, upgraded voice recognition, and enhanced Blue Link connected services. The Harman Kardon surround-sound system was available with the larger screen. Blue Link provided a range of connected services, including remote engine start and climate control adjustments. However, the Santa Fe lacked a WiFi hotspot but offered Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with physical knobs for volume and tuning and buttons for temperature control. The voice recognition technology required learning specific prompts, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other trims. However, it included PIN code entry technology, allowing the key fob to be left inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered an impressive array of safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning assistance, Safe Exit Assist, and a rear-occupant alert system. The Blind-Spot View Monitor and Highway Driving Assist added to its safety credentials. The Santa Fe earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS when equipped with LED projector headlights and received high ratings for crashworthiness and front crash-prevention technology.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a driver monitoring system. It also had steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Outback Wilderness lacked the DriverFocus distraction mitigation technology available in higher trims. The standard Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.