2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. The interior, especially in higher trims, featured a fresh design with a bright and sharp 11.6-inch portrait display, chrome trim, and contrasting leatherette. The Onyx Edition XT stood out with its gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green stitching, adding a touch of flair. Externally, the Outback's gray cladding and smooth, plain styling gave it a balanced and stable appearance, with adaptive LED headlights becoming standard in 2021.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 marked a significant departure from its predecessor, the original Ioniq. The Ioniq 5's exterior design, referred to as Parametric Pixel, featured a minimalist yet intricate use of 8-bit pixel elements in its lighting. The aerodynamic wheels and silver-contrast plastic bits added to its unique look. Inside, the Ioniq 5 embraced a "Living Space" theme with a mellow, comfortable interior available in black, gray, and dark green hues. The cabin offered features like a "Relaxation" mode for the driver's seat and sustainable materials, including recycled fibers and bio-materials.

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, but it struggled with the vehicle's weight, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine, available in higher trims, delivered a more robust 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving acceleration and overall performance. The Outback's fuel economy varied, with the base engine achieving 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, while the turbo XT managed 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. The Outback's handling was geared towards comfort, with its high ground clearance and electronically-variable AWD system providing excellent off-road capability.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came in three trims and two drive configurations. The base SE Standard Range featured a single 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor producing 168 hp and offering 220 miles of range. The extended-range variants, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, had a larger 168-kW rear motor with 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, providing a range of 303 miles. The AWD versions featured a dual-motor system with a total output of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, but the range dropped to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5's performance was solid, with a 0-60 mph time of under 5 seconds in AWD configuration. The vehicle also featured four drive modes, including Sport, and paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative braking levels.

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, comfortable seats, and excellent outward visibility. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and a handy front center console. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The Outback's standard roof rails with integrated crossbars were a standout feature, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), maximized interior space with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade. The Ioniq 5 offered a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, with 106.5 cubic feet dedicated to passenger space. The cabin featured soft touch points, a moveable center console, and a modern take on the retro front bench seat. The leatherette seats were comfortable and supportive, providing a pleasant driving experience. The Ioniq 5's interior design focused on comfort and usability, with ample storage space and thoughtful features.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, while functional, felt outdated with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. The adaptive cruise control and other modern tech features were present but not easily accessible. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the optional navigation system was more modern-looking. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking, but its reliance on cameras without radar limited its effectiveness in certain conditions.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted advanced technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes and gaining 68 miles of range in 5 minutes with a 350-kW charger. The Ioniq 5 also featured a redesigned Blue Link connected car app, digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant, intuitive, and finished with an anti-glare coating, ensuring readability even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was optional on Premium trims and standard on higher trims. Rear emergency braking and a driver-attention monitor were available on select trims. The Outback earned a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and received top ratings in all crash tests. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Outback an overall five-star rating, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and four stars for the rollover test.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I (HAD) was also standard, offering Level 2 semi-autonomous driving with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 featured a head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality overlays, although its practical use was limited. While official crash-safety ratings were not yet available, Hyundai's strong safety record suggested high marks for the Ioniq 5.