2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with its timeless design, continued to impress more than a decade after its debut. It combined rugged utility with upscale sophistication, featuring big wheels pushed to the corners under flared fenders. This balanced design contributed significantly to its ongoing success, making it a versatile SUV that could be categorized as mainstream, luxury, or performance-oriented. The lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, and even included performance models like the SRT and Trackhawk. The 2021 model introduced minor updates and special editions, with pricing spanning from $35,000 to nearly $90,000. The Summit trim, equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 engine and various premium packages, had an MSRP of $68,185. The Platinum Series Group added a more premium look with body-color accents and platinum chrome finishes. Inside, the Summit's interior featured premium leather, genuine wood, and real aluminum, creating a luxurious feel. However, the interior design showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, on the other hand, offered a more rugged and adventurous look. It featured 9.5 inches of ground clearance, 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. The roof rack and rail system could support a 700-pound static load, making it ideal for rooftop camping. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but lacked ventilated seats. The interior also featured Gunmetal Gray trim, Anodized Copper stitching, and brushed aluminum pedals. The rear seat offered generous space and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The cargo area provided 32.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine powered either the rear or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission and could tow up to 6,200 pounds. For those seeking more power, an optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 was available, delivering 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8 engine featured cylinder deactivation technology for improved fuel efficiency, though it still averaged 17 mpg in combined driving. The Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, along with the Quadra-Lift air suspension, provided excellent off-road capabilities, with ground clearance adjustable from 8.6 to 10.8 inches. The Grand Cherokee Summit was speedy and responsive, though the V8 engine consumed more fuel in city driving. The tight turning radius and effective brakes added to its practicality, but the lack of surround-view and forward-view camera systems was a drawback.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The EPA estimated fuel efficiency at 24 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing showed an average of 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route. While the engine was strong, the CVT's droning and simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The Outback Wilderness featured all-wheel drive, 9.5 inches of ground clearance, and all-terrain tires for off-road capability. The redesigned bumpers improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, while the dual function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control enhanced off-road performance. On pavement, the Outback Wilderness felt quick but limited by its tires, while off-road, it excelled in challenging terrain.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit offered a luxurious interior with quilted and perforated leather seats, leather-wrapped panels, and a heated steering wheel. Both front seats provided eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though the controls were embedded in the infotainment system, causing some distraction. The rear seat was comfortable but had limited legroom for taller adults, and the optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia. The Grand Cherokee provided 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. Interior storage was adequate, though the rear-seat entertainment system took up space in the center console bin. The power liftgate and practical grocery bag hooks added convenience.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but lacked ventilated seats. The front seats offered 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 8-way for the passenger, with effective dual-zone automatic climate control. The rear seat provided generous space for two adults or three kids, with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping. The waterproof cargo tray and LED lighting added to its practicality.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a nearly flawless user experience with fast response, pleasing graphics, and separate stereo controls. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Jeep Skill for Amazon Alexa. SiriusXM provided satellite radio, Traffic Plus, Travel Link services, and Guardian remote access for a year. The voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim came with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. However, the Grand Cherokee was "tech lite," offering essential features without much digital advancement.

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

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings. While it received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for 4WD models, it performed poorly in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, earning "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Grand Cherokee Summit came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also had parking sensors and a ParkSense parking assistance system.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the 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 lacked the DriverFocus distraction mitigation technology available in higher trims. The 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.