2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Subaru Outback retained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models, yet with a fresher interior compared to its smaller sibling, the Crosstrek. The analog gauges, steering wheel, and seats maintained their traditional forms, while the interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a modern 11.6-inch portrait display. This display was a significant upgrade over the dual 7-inch screens in the base trim, offering a bright and sharp interface surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Onyx Edition XT stood out with its gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green stitching, adding a touch of flair to the otherwise understated design. Externally, the Outback's styling was smooth and plain, with gray cladding for protection and a few chrome accents, maintaining its identity as a lifted wagon rather than a typical SUV.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness pushed the boundaries of the Outback's traditional station wagon image, offering a more rugged appearance and enhanced off-road capabilities. It featured a higher ground clearance of 9.5 inches, aggressive all-terrain tires, and unique design elements like a matte black hood decal and Anodized Copper accents. The Wilderness also introduced a new roof rack system capable of supporting a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black StarTex upholstery, with Anodized Copper stitching and accents. While the interior lacked ventilated seats, it offered heated front seats and a dual-zone climate control system. The Wilderness trim injected a sense of adventure and purpose into the Outback's styling, appealing to those seeking a more rugged and capable vehicle.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was characterized by its two engine options. The base model featured a 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This combination struggled with the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded, resulting in sluggish acceleration and noise. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing a significant improvement in performance. The turbo engine was quieter, smoother, and more capable of keeping up with traffic, although it came at the cost of slightly reduced fuel economy compared to the base engine. The Outback's handling was designed for comfort and long-distance cruising, with its high ground clearance and electronically-variable all-wheel drive system enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness shared the same turbocharged 2.4-liter engine as the XT models, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided ample power for the Wilderness's 3,896-pound weight and a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The Wilderness trim featured a CVT with eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters, though the transmission's droning and soft gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The Wilderness excelled off-road, thanks to its increased ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and enhanced approach and departure angles. It also included a dual-function X-Mode traction system with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes, making it the most capable Outback for off-road adventures. On pavement, the Wilderness felt quick but was limited by its tires, while off-road, it demonstrated impressive climbing and descending abilities.

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 cargo area was wide and flat, free of obstructions, and the vehicle provided ample headroom and legroom for passengers. The Outback's design prioritized visibility, with thin pillars and large windows, and included convenient storage options like map pockets and bottle holders. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The standout feature was the standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, allowing for easy installation and removal. The 11.6-inch touchscreen, while complicating climate controls, offered a responsive interface for vehicle settings and stereo presets.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The interior included heated front seats and a dual-zone climate control system, with power-adjustable seats for both the driver and front passenger. The rear seat offered generous space for passengers, along with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The cargo area provided 32.5 cubic feet of space with the rear seat up and 75.7 cubic feet with it folded flat, with waterproof seatbacks and a cargo tray. The Wilderness trim also boasted a more robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, though its graphics and interface felt outdated. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with optional navigation offering a more modern look. Subaru EyeSight was standard, providing adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on cameras, which could be less effective in certain conditions.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness also featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, with physical knobs for volume and tuning and buttons for temperature control. The voice recognition technology required specific prompts, making it less user-friendly, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better voice assistant functionality. The Wilderness trim lacked a premium sound system, which was available on other trims. However, it included a PIN code entry system, allowing for keyless access during outdoor activities.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a strong and stiff chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims, while rear emergency braking and a driver-attention monitor were optional. The Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness prioritized the effectiveness of its EyeSight ADAS, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness trim also featured steering-responsive headlights, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. However, it lacked Subaru's DriverFocus technology. The EyeSight system performed well during testing, maintaining safe distances and lane centering. Crash-test results for the 2022 model were not available, but the 2021 Outback received high safety ratings.