2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2021 Subaru Outback retained a familiar design, reminiscent of its predecessors, with subtle updates that enhanced its interior. The cabin, especially in the Premium trim and above, featured a bright 11.6-inch portrait display surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim, offering a modern touch. The Onyx Edition XT introduced a unique interior with gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green stitching, adding a playful twist to the otherwise conservative design. Externally, the Outback maintained its lifted wagon appearance, with gray cladding and chrome accents, emphasizing its practicality and ruggedness.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a distinctive design, blending elements from other Genesis models with its unique fastback roofline and muscular profile. The Sport Prestige model stood out with its specific styling features, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels, and dark chrome trim. The interior followed an elliptical theme, inspired by an airplane wing, with a minimalistic design that integrated a touchscreen atop the dashboard and a rotary gear selector. The GV70 offered a variety of interior color options, with the Sport Prestige model featuring luxurious Nappa leather upholstery and suede seat inserts.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered two engine options. The base 2.5-liter flat-four engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, which struggled to move the vehicle efficiently, especially when loaded. The XT models, however, featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing a significant performance boost. Despite its lack of speed, the Outback excelled in off-road capabilities, thanks to its electronically-variable AWD and X-Mode, making it a reliable choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came with two powerful engine options: a 2.5-liter turbo-four producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The GV70's Sport+ drive mode and launch control emphasized its sporty character, although its chassis and steering lacked the precision of some competitors. The GV70 was more comfortable on highways, but its firm ride and lack of luxury feel detracted from its overall performance.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space, with 76 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cabin provided ample headroom and legroom, with excellent visibility due to thin pillars and large windows. Storage solutions were abundant, with large map pockets, bottle holders, and a clever center console design. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims, and the oversized touchscreen complicated climate control usability.

The 2022 Genesis GV70's interior space was average for its segment, with 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The daring interior design compromised storage space, with limited room in the center console and door pockets. The Sport Prestige model's heavily bolstered front seats offered heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, although some controls were buried in touchscreen menus. Rear-seat passengers benefited from their own climate controls, enhancing comfort.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system felt outdated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. Despite this, it offered modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking, although its reliance on cameras limited its functionality in certain conditions.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, offering a user-friendly interface with crisp graphics. Higher trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 also offered a digital-key feature, a fingerprint scanner, and advanced safety features like a radar-based rear-seat monitor and remote 360-degree camera activation, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted a strong and stiff chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. It offered various driver-assist features, including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, depending on the trim. The Outback earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, highlighting its excellent crash protection and forward emergency braking capabilities.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came standard with numerous safety features, such as lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. It also included eight airbags, with a front-center airbag for added protection. Optional features like Highway Driving Assist 2 and navigation-based adaptive cruise control enhanced its safety suite, although crash-test ratings were not yet available.