2023 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Lexus RX was available in several trims, including the base 350, F Sport, and L for its gas powertrain, with a hybrid model known as the RX 450h. The RX 350 and F Sport seated five, while the L trim offered a three-row, 7-passenger configuration. The 2022 model continued the modern and sporty design introduced in its 2020 facelift, featuring a revised grille and other exterior enhancements. Among its competitors in the midsize luxury crossover segment, the RX stood out with its aggressive styling, characterized by sharp character lines and angular features that balanced eye-catching design with careful restraint.

The F Sport trim was the most athletic in appearance, featuring 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, dark window trimming, F Sport badging, and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes. The base and L trims came with 18-inch wheels, bi-LED headlights, integrated LED turn signals, a rear spoiler, and LED daytime running lights and brake lights. Inside, the RX offered a luxurious cabin with nearly a dozen color combinations, while the F Sport added sporty elements like model-specific badging and Scored Aluminum trim. However, the center stack felt dated, and the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport trim were less comfortable than expected.

The 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift, featuring a new front end with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding. This gave the Outback a more aggressive appearance, especially with the Onyx Edition, which included black wheels and trim. The Onyx Edition was available with both the base and turbocharged powertrains, making it more accessible with a starting price of $33,495 for the non-turbo version.

The Outback's interior, especially in the Touring trim, was upscale and cohesive, featuring Java Brown premium Nappa leather upholstery and light gray contrast stitching. Despite some hard plastic trim, the interior did not feel inexpensive. The Touring trim included a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat, and heated and ventilated seats. The Outback's excellent visibility, high stance, and practical features like the robust roof rack and flat door sills made it a versatile and comfortable choice for various driving conditions.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with two high-torque electric motors for a total output of 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard on the RX 350 and all-wheel drive available. The hybrid RX came exclusively with all-wheel drive. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and unimpressive acceleration. The F Sport trim added performance dampers, an adaptive variable suspension, and a Sport+ drive mode, but the changes in driving dynamics were minimal.

The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and providing a serene ride. Fuel efficiency for the RX 350 was estimated at 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, with slight variations for all-wheel drive and three-row models. The RX 450h hybrid offered better fuel efficiency, with 30 mpg combined, 31 mpg city, and 28 mpg highway.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, with the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) made good use of the power at lower speeds, but passing and climbing power was limited. The Outback's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, but the engine's performance was underwhelming, with an observed fuel efficiency of 25.6 mpg, below the EPA's estimate of 28 mpg combined.

For better performance, the Outback XT models offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. The XT models were less fuel-efficient, with most rated at 25 mpg combined, and the Wilderness trim at 23 mpg combined. The CVT was programmed to mimic an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all Outback models featured an Active Torque Split AWD system. The Outback's suspension provided a firm ride at lower speeds and excellent ride quality at higher speeds, making it capable on various terrains. However, the standard engine's lack of power was a significant drawback.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in the two-row model, comfortably seating four adults, with a snug fit for five. Front headroom was 39.4 inches, and rear headroom was 39.1 inches, with 44.1 inches of front legroom and 38.0 inches in the rear. The three-row L models had limited cargo space, with only 7.45 cubic feet behind the third row, 23.03 cubic feet with the third row down, and 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows folded. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a dedicated smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a robust roof rack, flat door sills, and a dashboard storage shelf. The Touring trim offered a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat, and heated and ventilated seats wrapped in premium Nappa leather. The Outback's cargo space measured 32.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 75.6 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. The vehicle's high ground clearance and practical design made it easy to get in and out, and the interior provided ample comfort and storage for long trips.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display as standard, with a 12.3-inch version available. The touchscreens were positioned within a cove on top of the center stack, creating access issues. The alternatives were voice commands and a touchpad, both of which were frustrating to use. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start, vehicle settings, and service scheduling.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system in all trims except the Base, which had a 7-inch system. The larger system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the base system required wired connections. The Starlink system offered subscription-based connected services, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system in higher trims. The voice-recognition system was unreliable, making wireless smartphone connectivity essential. Additional tech features included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, a pre-collision system, and intelligent high beams. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights and received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured the EyeSight suite of safety systems, including 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 offered a third Wide-Angle Mono Camera for better pedestrian and cyclist detection. The Outback earned top marks from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test.