2022 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy. Known for its conservative styling, Volvo managed to infuse the XC90 with more character while retaining its recognizable features. The XC90's design included a boxy profile and a blunt front end with a rectangular grille, but with softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights featuring "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim level, with its extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. The XC90 shared Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other models, ensuring a cohesive design language across the brand. Inside, the XC90 embraced "Swedish minimalism" with thoughtfully arranged, high-quality materials, including matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a touch of luxury, albeit slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness pushed the boundaries of what a station wagon could be, resembling a Jeep more than a traditional wagon. With 9.5 inches of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles, the Wilderness was built for off-road adventures. Unique design features included a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents, and a matte black hood decal. The roof rack and rail system could support a 700-pound static load, perfect for rooftop camping. Inside, the cabin featured dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, a black headliner, Gunmetal Gray interior trim, and Anodized Copper stitching. The Wilderness package also included waterproof rear seatback material and a waterproof cargo tray, making it a practical choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive was optional on the T5 and standard on the T6 and T8. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled to provide flexible performance, especially when relying on electric power alone. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin. Most models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, with the base FWD T5 rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with a horizontally opposed design, producing 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This engine provided ample power for the 3,896-pound crossover, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The EPA estimated fuel efficiency at 24 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing yielded 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route. The Outback Wilderness's CVT, with eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters, detracted from the driving experience with its droning and soft simulated gear changes. However, the Wilderness excelled off-road, thanks to its 9.5 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and advanced traction systems. The redesigned bumpers improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, while the dual function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control enhanced off-road capability. On pavement, the Wilderness felt quick but limited by its tires, while off-road, it proved capable and adept at tackling challenging terrain.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom in all three rows were average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The seats in the second and third rows felt hard and lacked support. An optional power moonroof extended across the first two rows, enhancing the spacious feel. The XC90 featured standard four-zone climate control with an optional filtration system. The front seats in the Inscription trim offered 10-way power adjustment, heating, ventilation, and backrest massage, but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console and few storage options. Cargo space was 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The XC90 offered a hands-free power tailgate.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, a water-repellant simulated leather. The front seats were heated and offered 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 8-way for the front passenger. The rear seat provided generous space for two adults or three kids, with rear air conditioning vents and dual USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The seatbacks and cargo tray were covered with waterproof material, and LED lighting illuminated the cargo area. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 220-pound dynamic load rating and a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Standard USB ports included two front USB-A and two rear USB-C ports. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display were available. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, though the amount of text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment and climate control system. Physical knobs and buttons were provided for volume, tuning, temperature control, and defogger systems, but most functions required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was not user-friendly, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other trims. However, the PIN code entry technology allowed for keyless access, ideal for outdoor activities.

The 2021 XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It scored top marks in all IIHS crash tests and received “Superior” ratings for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing. The XC90 offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles.

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. The Wilderness also had steering-responsive headlights, blind-spot warning, lane-change assistance, and rear cross-traffic warning. The EyeSight technology proved effective and unobtrusive during testing. The 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.