2022 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness sat higher than the standard Outback, offering 9.5 inches of ground clearance, a 0.8-inch increase. It featured aggressive all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection trim, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. The unique grille design, black 17-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents, and a matte black hood decal added to its rugged look. The new roof rack system supported a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping, and the exclusive Geyser Blue paint hue made it stand out.

Inside, the Outback Wilderness had a dark gray and black cabin with StarTex water-repellant upholstery, heated seats, and a black headliner. The interior also featured Gunmetal Gray trim, Anodized Copper stitching, brushed aluminum pedals, and all-weather floor mats. The waterproof rear seatback material and cargo tray were practical additions. Priced at $36,995 plus a $1,125 destination charge, the Outback Wilderness offered a blend of ruggedness and style.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 had a design that mixed Cadillac’s trademark cues with a compact footprint and tall profile. It featured a bold grille, daytime running lights, and vertical taillights. The Premium Luxury and Sport models had different exterior styling cues, with the former getting bright chrome and the latter darker trim and a mesh grille. The XT5 Luxury and Premium Luxury models came with standard 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Sport models had 20-inch wheels. Cadillac also offered Onyx and Radiant styling packages with 20-inch wheels.

The interior of the XT5 felt luxurious, especially with the optional Platinum Package, which included semi-aniline leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped instrument panel, a microfiber sueded headliner, and a heated steering wheel. However, without this package, the XT5’s interior didn’t quite meet luxury-car standards. The design lacked a strong theme and brand-specific markers, making it less distinctive compared to competitors like the Volvo XC60, Lincoln Corsair, and Genesis GV70.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided ample power for the 3,896-pound vehicle, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The EPA estimated fuel efficiency at 24 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing averaged 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route.

The Outback Wilderness had a commendable 9.5 inches of ground clearance, 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. It also featured a dual function X-Mode traction system with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes, plus hill descent control. On pavement, the Outback Wilderness felt quick but was limited by its tires. Off-road, it excelled, handling steep hills and challenging trails with ease.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The optional 3.6-liter V6, standard on the XT5 Sport and optional on the XT5 Premium Luxury, made 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided linear power delivery and smooth, quick shifts, making the XT5 feel reasonably quick.

The XT5’s performance suspension with adaptive dampers, part of the optional Platinum Package, offered a comfortable ride with excellent body control. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, providing a nimble feel without being overly sensitive. The cabin was impressively quiet, enhancing the overall luxury experience.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated and offered 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 8-way for the passenger. The rear seat provided ample 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 roof rack supported a 220-pound dynamic load and a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class but less than the BMW X3. It had more legroom in both rows compared to its German rivals. The seats were fairly comfortable but could have used more padding. The XT5 provided 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 63 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, beating the Q5, X3, and GLC. A hands-free power liftgate was available. The center console housed a rotary controller for the infotainment system and the shifter, but space was limited.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment and climate control system. While it had physical knobs for volume and tuning and buttons for temperature control, most functions required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was not very responsive, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness also featured PIN code entry technology, allowing the key fob to be left inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5’s standard infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster display and a head-up display were available with the optional Technology Package. The touchscreen was easy to navigate, but the array of secondary controls, including a rotary controller and capacitive touchpads, were not user-friendly. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. It also had steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. The 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear park assist, automatic high-beam headlamps, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and rear automatic braking. The Technology Package included rear pedestrian alert, a surround-vision camera system, night vision, and automatic parking assist. The XT5 received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.