2022 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stood out with its higher stance, offering 9.5 inches of ground clearance, which was 0.8 inches more than other Outback models. This gave it a more rugged appearance, akin to a Jeep, with aggressive all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection trim, and improved approach and departure angles due to restyled bumpers. Additional design features included a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents, and a matte black hood decal. The roof rack and rail system were new, supporting a 700-pound static load, and the exclusive Geyser Blue paint hue added to its distinctiveness.

Inside, the Outback Wilderness featured a dark gray and black cabin with StarTex water-repellant upholstery, which looked like leather but wasn't. While ventilated seats were absent, heated seats were standard. The interior also included a black headliner, Gunmetal Gray trim, Anodized Copper stitching and accents, brushed aluminum pedals, and all-weather floor mats. Waterproof rear seatback material and a waterproof cargo tray were part of the package. These modifications injected personality into the Outback's styling, making it stand out from standard versions.

The 2022 Ford Bronco, with its retro styling and go-anywhere attitude, was highly sought after. The lineup expanded with the Everglades model, designed for swamp trekking and deep water, featuring an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. The Bronco offered seven distinct trims, each with increasing off-road capabilities. Despite its popularity, the 2022 models were sold out quickly. Buyers could choose between two-door or four-door body styles, four-cylinder or six-cylinder engines, and removable roofs with soft- or hard-top options.

The Bronco's design was dictated by its off-roading mission, with short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height. It featured large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, a full-size spare mounted to the tailgate, and modular construction for easy customization. Inside, the Bronco had sealed switches and buttons, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs for easy cleaning. The G.O.A.T. mode dial allowed drivers to select specific drive modes for different terrains. Despite its rugged look, the Bronco included advanced technology like a digital instrument panel, large infotainment touchscreen, and a full complement of cameras for off-road and parking assistance.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by 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, shared with the turbo Outback XT models, provided ample power for the 3,896-pound vehicle, allowing 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 featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters. While the CVT's droning and soft simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience during maximum acceleration, it was generally adequate for most driving situations. The Wilderness trim included all-wheel drive, 9.5 inches of ground clearance, 17-inch wheels with Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. The dual function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control enhanced its off-road capabilities, making it the most capable Outback ever.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered a base turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, and an optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine with 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder engine came with a seven-speed manual transmission, featuring a crawl gear for low-speed driving, while the V6 was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. All Broncos had four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case.

Both engines provided ample power, with the Bronco's off-road prowess varying across trims. The Everglades model excelled in challenging terrain, including deep-rutted muddy trails, water crossings, and rock climbs. It could ford water up to 36.4 inches deep and featured a winch for recovery. On pavement, the Bronco offered a smoother ride and better handling than its rival, the Jeep Wrangler, making it a more comfortable road trip companion. Wind noise was a minor issue, but overall, the Bronco excelled in both off-road and on-road performance.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, a water-repellant simulated leather that prevented water and sweat from soaking into the seats. While heated front seats were standard, ventilated seats were absent, making the interior uncomfortable in hot weather. The dual-zone automatic climate control effectively cooled the front half of the cabin. The driver's seat had 10-way power adjustment, and the front passenger seat had 8-way power adjustment.

The rear seat offered generous space for two adults or three children, with rear air conditioning vents and dual USB charging ports. However, the StarTex upholstery caused discomfort in hot weather. The cargo area provided 32.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The seatbacks were covered with waterproof material, and a waterproof cargo tray was included. The roof rack had a 220-pound dynamic load capacity and a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's squared-off styling contributed to its spacious interior. Headroom was ample, even for tall passengers, and legroom and lateral space were generous. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required some effort, but grab handles and side steps helped. Cargo capacity varied by model and roof type, with the two-door hard top offering 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 35.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, including large armrest bins, netted door pockets, and a rubberized phone tray. Accessory rails atop the dash allowed for securing items like action cameras. The stowable doors fit in the cargo area, and the fender flares were removable without tools. External hard mounting points and hidden anchors supported heavy load-bearing racks or light bars, enhancing the Bronco's utility.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment and climate control system. While physical knobs and buttons were provided for volume, tuning, temperature control, and defogger systems, most functions required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was not very responsive to natural commands, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for their superior voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other trims. However, the PIN code entry technology allowed for secure access without the key fob, ideal for active lifestyles.

The 2022 Ford Bronco smartly integrated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities. The G.O.A.T. modes allowed novice drivers to select optimized settings for specific terrains, while experienced off-roaders could manually select their preferred setups. The forward-looking trail camera with overlay lines helped navigate obstacles, and the Trail Turn Assist feature enabled sharper turns in tight spaces. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system was responsive, with sharp graphics and helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, complementing the available wireless charging pad.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system (ADAS), which 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 system was carefully calibrated to maintain efficacy despite modifications. The Wilderness also had steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Outback Wilderness earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2022 Ford Bronco included standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The High package added front parking sensors and a surround-view camera system, while the Luxe package included adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Bronco received a four-star frontal crash protection rating and a three-star rollover protection rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded the Bronco its best score of "Good" in frontal, side, and roof strength tests and an "Acceptable" rating for head restraints and seats.