2023 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

In 2022, the Cadillac Escalade presented a commanding presence on the road. Its massive size was unapologetic, with the grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights scaled to match its enormity. The front end, with its tall hood and vertical running lights, evoked the look of a diesel locomotive. The styling elements emphasized the Escalade’s bulk, making the 22-inch wheels look rather small against its vast sheetmetal body.

The Escalade followed its styling tradition with different trims for "sport" and "luxury" models. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims featured bright exterior trim and wheels, while the Sport models opted for darkened trim, including a mesh grille. The Escalade’s body-on-frame architecture was shared with other GM full-size SUVs and trucks. Despite not being the traditional starting point for a luxury vehicle, this design didn’t deter customers. The interior featured leather upholstery, wood trim, and a massive panoramic sunroof, but lacked a cohesive design theme compared to the Lincoln Navigator's midcentury-modern-inspired look. Some materials, such as the plastic bits, appeared inexpensive for a luxury SUV.

Conversely, the 2023 Subaru Outback underwent a facelift, giving it a more aggressive appearance. The front end boasted redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray cladding mimicking large air intakes. The simulated skid plate, fog lights in oversized housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim added to its rugged demeanor. Whether the changes made the Outback more appealing depended on personal preference, with dark paint colors or the Onyx Edition (with black wheels and trim) hiding the design excesses.

The Onyx Edition was more accessible in 2023, available with both the base and turbocharged powertrains. Prices ranged from $28,395 for the base model to $41,070 for the Touring trim with the non-turbo powertrain. The Outback’s interior, particularly the Touring’s Java Brown leather with black interior contrast, was cohesive and upscale. Unlike the Escalade's cheap plastic bits, the Outback used textured hard plastic trim that was practical, especially for using as steps to reach the roof rack. The only downside was the susceptibility of the large infotainment screen and console’s gloss black trim to dust and smudges.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices. The standard was a 6.2-liter gasoline V8, generating 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The alternative was a $100 option: GM’s Duramax 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine, delivering 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and came with standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) or optional four-wheel drive (4WD).

Primarily, the diesel version impressed us during testing despite its lower horsepower compared to the V8. The smooth power delivery and lower torque peak at 1,500 rpm benefitted from stops, though the hard brake pedal wasn’t very confidence-inspiring. The gasoline engine, with its slightly higher towing capacity of 8,200 pounds, outperformed the diesel by 100 pounds. However, the ride quality was unsettling, even with standard independent rear suspension. The Escalade’s body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels compromised comfort compared to unibody SUVs like the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. The absence of an off-road variant akin to the Chevy Tahoe/Suburban Z71 or GMC Yukon/Yukon XL AT4 was noticeable, limiting the Escalade’s utility in off-road conditions.

In contrast, Subaru’s Outback maintained its reputation with horizontally opposed engines, also known as boxer engines. The standard engine, however, felt underpowered in our 3,781-pound test vehicle, producing 182 hp at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) managed lower speeds well, but acceleration and climbing power were lacking, with actual fuel economy falling short of the EPA’s 28 mpg estimate, achieving only 25.6 mpg over more than 600 miles of testing.

For better performance, the turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine in the Outback XT models offered 260 hp at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 rpm and 4,800 rpm. While these turbo models weighed more and were less fuel-efficient, they provided significantly better performance, which justified their higher price tags. The CVT also simulated an eight-speed automatic and included paddle shifters for a more engaging driving experience. All-wheel drive (AWD) was standard across all Outback models, with X-Mode traction optimization and hill descent control enhancing off-road capabilities. Offering an impressive 8.7 inches of ground clearance or 9.5 inches in the Wilderness trim, the Outback performed well in challenging conditions. However, the standard engine’s lack of power remained a drawback, especially when trying to accelerate or pass on highways.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade, as an upscale version of GM’s full-size SUVs, had a spacious cabin. The standard version was 211.9 inches long, with the extended Escalade ESV measuring 227 inches. These dimensions translated to ample interior space, with the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs. Second-row captain’s chairs and a 60/40 power split-folding third-row bench seat were standard, with an option for a 60/40 bench seat in the second row.

Cargo capacity in the Escalade was significant, offering 25.5 cubic feet with all seats up, 63.0 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and a massive 109.1 cubic feet when all rear seats were folded. Although spacious, the raised center console limited storage space, and the seats, despite having 12-way power adjustment and massage functions, did not feel particularly luxurious.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility without sacrificing comfort. The Touring trim featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, an eight-way power passenger seat, both with heating and ventilation, and a heated steering wheel. The buttery premium Nappa leather seats in the Touring, along with heated outboard rear seats, ensured a comfortable ride for all occupants.

With easy ingress and egress due to its ground clearance, the Outback was practical for daily use. Its cargo capacity of 32.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded was ample, though slightly less than the Escalade. The roof rack and flat, textured door sills added to its practicality for adventure trips.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted one of the most elaborate infotainment systems, featuring a 38-inch curved OLED display split into three screens: a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch trip-computer screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity were standard. The interface was well-integrated into the dashboard with functional icon arrangements, though some features like the carousel radio station changer and rotary controller could improve.

A standout feature was the high-resolution 360-degree camera system, with a rearview camera mirror offering an unobstructed view. Additional tech features included an optional head-up display, night vision, augmented reality navigation, and an AKG Studio sound system. Despite its impressive array of tech, some systems like voice recognition lagged behind competitors.

Subaru’s 2023 Outback introduced an improved Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen system, standard from the Premium trim upward. This system included a volume knob, tuning knob, dual-zone climate control, and embedded controls for features like seat heating and ventilation. The base model’s 7-inch touchscreen had wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims offered wireless connectivity and access to Starlink services, including a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.

The voice recognition system in the Outback, however, fell short in practical use. More advanced features like a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera enhanced its usability, though the lack of a surround-view camera was noted.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with standard driver-assist technologies such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, front and rear park assist, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and trailering blind-spot monitoring. The optional Super Cruise provided sophisticated hands-free driving capabilities, though it only worked on pre-mapped highways.

In 2023, Subaru’s Outback continued its legacy of safety with new EyeSight cameras and an electronic brake booster. EyeSight, standard in the base model, included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a new Automatic Emergency Steering system. The Outback Limited and Touring introduced a third Wide-Angle Mono Camera for enhanced pedestrian and cyclist detection. While active safety tech was overall impressive, some features like the rear automatic braking system were less user-friendly in practice.