2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a classic SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. It featured traditional styling elements such as a tall hood, broad shoulders, and trapezoidal wheel arches. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, a unique hood, front fascia, and grille, which leaned forward slightly with laser-etched knurling. The interior boasted high-end materials, including Nappa leather upholstery and American Walnut wood trim, with 24-way power front seats offering memory, massage, and lumbar support.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness pushed the boundaries of a station wagon, offering a rugged appearance with 9.5 inches of ground clearance and aggressive all-terrain tires. It featured a unique grille design, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents. The interior was dominated by dark gray and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching. The Outback Wilderness was designed for adventure, with a robust roof rack supporting a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowed the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds. It featured a standard Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system provided up to 10 inches of ground clearance, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace due to its size and weight.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It offered a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs and an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in combined driving. The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios, though it lacked the engagement of a dual-clutch automatic transmission. Its all-wheel-drive system, combined with a lifted suspension and all-terrain tires, provided excellent off-road performance. The Wilderness trim also included a dual-function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control, making it the most capable Outback for off-road adventures.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than its competitors, though front-row space was more limited. The Grand Wagoneer boasted 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 94.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. It had a maximum towing capacity of 9,850 pounds and came standard with a sunroof and four-zone automatic climate control.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. It offered heated front and rear seats, with the driver’s seat providing 10-way power adjustment. The rear seat was spacious, accommodating two adults or three children comfortably. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It featured a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot and an optional rear-seat entertainment system. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system offered an Android-based operating system with over-the-air updates, though the screen response was somewhat slow.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which controlled most functions except for stereo volume and temperature. While the voice recognition technology required learning specific prompts, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system but offered PIN code entry technology for secure access without a key fob.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer included standard safety features such as a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, with a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. It also included steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. The EyeSight system was effective at maintaining safe distances and lane centering, though it lacked Subaru's DriverFocus distraction mitigation technology.