2022 Acura RDX vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness had a distinctive appearance that immediately set it apart from its more mainstream siblings. It featured a noticeable increase in ground clearance, reaching 9.5 inches, which was 0.8 inches higher than standard Outbacks. This higher stance, along with all-terrain tires encased in oversized fender trim, gave the Wilderness a more rugged, outdoor-ready look akin to a Jeep. The design included unique touches like an exclusive grille, black 17-inch wheels, blacked-out trim with Anodized Copper accents, and a matte black hood decal to reduce glare. Moreover, the new and exclusive Geyser Blue paint hue added an extra layer of uniqueness to its aesthetic.

Inside the Outback Wilderness, the dark gray and black interior was both functional and rugged. StarTex water-repellent upholstery and waterproof materials on the rear seatbacks and cargo tray were designed with adventurous lifestyles in mind. While ventilated seats were notably absent, the heated seats offered some relief in colder weather. The interior also featured a black headliner, Gunmetal Gray trim, Anodized Copper stitching, brushed aluminum pedals, and all-weather floor mats, giving it a decidedly masculine and robust character.

In terms of pricing, the Outback Wilderness was situated between the Onyx XT and Limited XT trims, with an MSRP of $36,995, plus a $1,125 destination charge. Adding options like a power sunroof, navigation, and reverse automatic braking could push the price up to $39,965. Overall, the Wilderness trim added personality and purpose to the Outback lineup, positioning itself as a more capable, adventure-focused vehicle.

On the other side, the 2022 Acura RDX displayed subtler styling changes inspired by its larger MDX sibling. Updates included modified grille surrounds and bumper designs, along with new wheel styles and paint colors. The limited-production PMC Edition, hand-built in Ohio, featured exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid white interior, adding to its allure.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This robust engine offered ample power for a midsize crossover SUV weighing 3,896 pounds, enabling a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The EPA estimated a fuel efficiency of 24 mpg in combined driving, although our test yielded an average of 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route.

While the engine was strong, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters did not enhance the driving experience. The CVT's droning and soft simulated gear changes could be unengaging during maximum acceleration. However, most of the time, this characteristic didn't pose a significant issue.

What set the Outback Wilderness apart was its off-road capability, thanks to 9.5 inches of ground clearance, 225/65R17 Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, and a dual-function X-Mode traction system with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes. The Wilderness could navigate a 40% grade and climb over rough terrain with ease. These modifications did limit its on-pavement agility, but off-roading proved to be the Wilderness's domain, where it showcased its superior climbing and trail navigation abilities.

In comparison, the 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine delivering 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque between 1,600 rpm and 4,500 rpm. The engine’s responsiveness contributed to the RDX’s enjoyable driving dynamics, although a heavy foot could reduce its fuel efficiency well below the EPA-rated 23 mpg, with our test averaging 20.6 mpg.

A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters ensured smooth and precise gear changes. The RDX offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, with the latter being standard on the Advance and A-Spec Advance trims. This torque-vectoring AWD system could direct up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel, enhancing the vehicle's agility on twisty roads.

Acura also revised the RDX’s Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) for 2022, providing more distinct driving modes and a re-tuned adaptive-damping suspension for improved comfort and responsiveness. The RDX delivered a quieter ride than previous models, thanks to added sound insulation and Active Sound Control enhancements, making it a compelling option for those seeking a luxurious and quiet cabin.

The interior of the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was both functional and spacious. The dark gray StarTex upholstery was water-repellant, making it ideal for outdoor activities. The front seats, although heated, lacked ventilation, and the rear seats offered plenty of room for two adults or three kids, along with heated cushions. The dual-zone automatic climate control was effective, and the driver enjoyed a 10-way power-adjustable seat, while the front passenger had an 8-way power-adjustable seat.

Storage space was another strong suit, with 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. The cargo area featured waterproof materials, LED lighting, and a robust roof rack that could support up to 700 pounds for rooftop camping.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura RDX was designed with a strong sense of style and functionality. It comfortably accommodated four adults with its sporty driving position and dramatic interior layout, including a standard panoramic sunroof. The control layout required some acclimation, especially the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which paired a 10.2-inch display with a sectioned touchpad controller.

The RDX offered comfortable and supportive 12-way power-adjustable front seats, with available ventilation and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel. Dual-zone automatic climate control and the company’s Iconic Drive ambient lighting enhanced cabin comfort. The rear seat, however, was flat and less supportive, making it less comfortable for adults on long journeys.

The RDX also featured a standard power liftgate leading to 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with the option to expand to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. Hidden storage compartments beneath the load floor added to its practicality.

The RDX A-Spec Advance justified its higher cost with high-quality interior materials, solid build quality, and an impressively quiet cabin. Despite some reservations about the vertical air inlets on the front fascia, the overall design exuded more flair than many of its rivals, making it a stylish choice within the compact luxury SUV category.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen that dominated the dashboard. While physical knobs and buttons were present for volume, tuning, and temperature control, most functions required touchscreen interaction. The voice recognition system was not intuitive, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto the preferred interface.

Surprisingly, the Outback Wilderness lacked an upgraded sound system option, which was available on other trims. However, the PIN code entry system was a valuable feature for active users, allowing them to leave the key fob inside the vehicle while engaging in outdoor activities.

The 2022 Acura RDX came with the TTI infotainment system, which required a learning curve due to its unique touchpad controller. Despite its complexity, users could rely on Amazon Alexa Built-in, steering wheel controls, and other physical buttons to navigate the infotainment system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and satellite radio. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker or an impressive 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system and a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The Subaru Outback Wilderness was well-equipped with safety features, primarily driven by the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system (ADAS). This included 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 trim also featured steering-responsive headlights and blind-spot warning with lane-change assistance and rear cross-traffic warning. Although crash-test results for the 2022 model were not available, the 2021 Outback earned top safety marks from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Acura RDX also boasted an array of safety features, including structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety. The standard AcuraWatch suite added pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear seatbelt reminder system. Higher trims included front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. The NHTSA awarded the RDX a five-star overall crash-test rating, bolstering its credentials as a safe vehicle choice.