2021 INFINITI QX50 vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 stood out in the luxury compact crossover segment with its distinctive design and engineering. Its large honeycomb grille and curved hood with athletic bulges gave it a sporty appearance. The rear featured a unique chrome strip, adding character to the vehicle. The panoramic moonroof brightened the cabin, offering magnificent views. However, thick B-pillars and a short rear window slightly hindered visibility. Inside, the QX50 boasted soft-touch materials, aluminum trim accents, and a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel. The front seats provided heating and cooling, enhancing comfort in various weather conditions.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness offered a rugged and adventurous look. It featured a higher ride height, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. The unique grille design, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents added to its distinctive appearance. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, with heated front seats and a black headliner. The Outback Wilderness also included a robust roof rack system, making it suitable for outdoor adventures.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 came with a single powertrain option: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This engine produced 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The QX50's VC-Turbo engine adjusted the compression ratio for a balance of power and efficiency. While the CVT had a reputation for droning, it provided a smooth and quiet operation. The QX50 offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The drive mode selector allowed for customization, with Sport mode delivering brisk acceleration and increased steering effort.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided ample power for the midsize crossover, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The Outback Wilderness came with a CVT, which had eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters. While the CVT's droning and simulated gear changes were less satisfying, the all-wheel drive system and off-road capabilities made up for it. The Wilderness trim included a dual function X-Mode traction system, hill descent control, and improved ground clearance, making it the most capable Outback ever.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 offered a spacious interior with ample hip, shoulder, and headroom, even with the panoramic moonroof. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed 38.7 inches of legroom, and the sliding second-row seats allowed for flexibility in maximizing legroom or cargo space. The cargo area provided 31.1 cubic feet of space behind the second-row seats, expanding to 64.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The QX50 also featured numerous storage options, including cupholders, storage bins, and charging ports.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness had a practical interior with dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated, and the driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment. Rear-seat passengers had generous space, with rear air conditioning vents and dual USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 75.7 cubic feet with the seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also featured a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 came with the InTouch infotainment system, featuring dual display screens (8-inch upper and 7-inch lower). It included voice recognition, navigation, and a suite of connected services. Pairing a smartphone via Bluetooth was easy, and Apple CarPlay integration worked seamlessly. The 16-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system delivered excellent sound quality. The QX50 also featured ProPilot Assist, an advanced driving assistance system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dominating the center of the dashboard. While physical knobs and buttons were available for basic functions, most controls required the touchscreen. Voice recognition technology was less responsive, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other trims. However, it included PIN code entry technology, allowing access to the vehicle without the key fob.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot warning, forward-collision warning, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The QX50 also received high ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA for crash protection and rollover resistance.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with Subaru's EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-centering assistance. The Wilderness trim also featured steering-responsive headlights, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. The standard Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.