2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic status with its timeless design elements such as circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could sport different looks, including painted or exposed fenders and various top options. However, the core elements remained unmistakable, making it a unique presence on the road. Inside, the Wrangler was not built for comfort but for rugged charm, with upright seating, limited legroom, and manual seat adjustments. The trims ranged from the bare-bones Sport to the luxurious High Altitude, each offering varying degrees of comfort and off-road capability.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, on the other hand, pushed the boundaries of what a station wagon could be, almost resembling a Jeep with its 9.5 inches of ground clearance and aggressive all-terrain tires. The Wilderness featured unique design elements like a matte black hood decal, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, which, while practical, could become uncomfortable in hot weather. The Wilderness trim also included a robust roof rack and waterproof cargo areas, making it a versatile option for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Rubicon 392 stood out with its 6.4-liter V8 engine, delivering 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The Wrangler also featured three 4WD systems: Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, each catering to different off-roading needs.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided adequate power but lacked the engaging feel of a dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Wilderness trim offered 9.5 inches of ground clearance, 17-inch all-terrain tires, and a dual-function X-Mode traction system, making it the most capable Outback ever. It also featured revised final-drive ratios and a front skid plate, enhancing its off-road capabilities. However, the CVT's droning and soft simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top and the three-piece Freedom hardtop. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, combining the convenience of a power-retractable canvas panel with the look of a hardtop. Inside, the Wrangler's cabin was functional, with small storage spaces and drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, though the wheel-wells and roll-bars could limit the usability of this space.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could become uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats offered power adjustments and effective dual-zone automatic climate control. The rear seats provided ample space for two adults or three children, along with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 75.7 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The Wilderness trim also included a more robust roof rack, capable of supporting a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's base Sport trim came with a basic 5-inch screen, while higher trims offered a 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled between the front grille slats, providing a clear view of the trail ahead. The larger screens had crisp graphics and intuitive layouts, making them user-friendly.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness boasted an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, dominating the center dashboard. While it included physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less responsive to natural commands, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other trims, but featured a PIN code entry system for secure access without the key fob.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. However, these features were not standard, and lane-departure warning was unavailable. The Wrangler did include a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came standard with Subaru's EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness trim also featured steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. The EyeSight technology proved effective during testing, maintaining safe distances and keeping the vehicle centered. The 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.