2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was designed to break away from the traditional station wagon image and move closer to the rugged appeal of a Jeep. This transformation was evident from its 9.5 inches of ground clearance, a noticeable increase of 0.8 inches compared to other Outback models. The vehicle's enhanced ride height was complemented by aggressive all-terrain tires housed under oversized fender trims, providing better approach and departure angles thanks to redesigned front and rear bumpers.

Distinct visual elements included a unique grille design, black 17-inch wheels, and blacked-out exterior trim accented with Anodized Copper. A matte black hood decal reduced glare. The new roof rack and rail system, with a 700-pound static load capacity, encouraged rooftop camping enthusiasts. Geyser Blue, an exclusive color, further distinguished the Outback Wilderness.

Inside, the cabin continued the rugged theme with dark gray and black interiors. The StarTex water-repellent upholstery mimicked leather but provided practical benefits. Though the interior was a heatsink, ventilated seats were notably absent, leaving heated seats as the only available option. The cabin featured a black headliner, Gunmetal Gray interior trim, Anodized Copper stitching, brushed aluminum pedals, and all-weather floor mats. Additionally, waterproof rear seatback material and a waterproof cargo tray aligned with the vehicle's rugged outdoor intention.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim didn't impress with its appearance-focused XRT treatment. While side steps aided in roof rack access, they impeded entry and exit and reduced the SUV’s off-road breakover angle. Priced higher than SE and SEL trims but lower than Limited and Calligraphy trims, the XRT came with both FWD and AWD options, starting at $34,095 including destination.

Our evaluated model was painted in Portofino Gray with a black cloth interior, contributing to an overall monochromatic and unexciting look. Despite the dull palette, the interior demonstrated thoughtful design and good quality. The Santa Fe XRT may not have matched the luxury of the Limited or Calligraphy trims, but it offered a functional and pragmatic aesthetic for its target market.

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, coupled with its 3,896-pound weight, achieved a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The EPA estimated 24 mpg combined, though a mountainous test drive averaged 21.3 mpg. The CVT, though equipped with paddle shifters and eight programmed ratios, detracted from the driving experience with its droning and soft simulated gear changes.

The Outback Wilderness’s standout features included 17-inch wheels with Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, 9.5 inches of ground clearance, and restyled bumpers for improved approach, breakover, and departure angles (20, 21.2, and 23.6 degrees, respectively). These changes, along with the dual-function X-Mode traction system, gave the Wilderness impressive off-road capability, climbing 40% grades and traversing challenging terrains effortlessly. On paved roads, however, the vehicle’s performance felt restrained by its off-road modifications.

On the other hand, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT utilized a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. While the engine wasn’t designed for high performance, it provided adequate power for daily driving and highway cruising. The 8-speed automatic transmission, combined with driving modes like Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, managed gear shifts efficiently. However, the engine’s power waned on inclines, and its responsiveness could lag, especially during high-demand driving.

Our Southern California testing yielded 22.3 mpg compared to the official 24 mpg EPA rating. For more power, buyers had to opt for the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder available on Limited and Calligraphy trims, offering 281 hp and 311 lb-ft torque. Despite the engine’s shortcomings, the Santa Fe demonstrated composure and refinement on various terrains, with a quiet cabin and excellent suspension that absorbed road imperfections effectively.

Subaru equipped the Outback Wilderness with dark gray StarTex simulated leather upholstery, keeping water and sweat from soaking into the seats. While the heated front seats provided comfort in cold weather, the lack of ventilation made for a potentially uncomfortable ride in hot conditions. The driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment, and the front passenger seat had 8-way power adjustment, ensuring a good level of comfort.

The rear seats were spacious, with enough room for adults or children, and offered rear air conditioning vents and dual USB ports. With 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 75.7 cubic feet with the seats folded flat, the Outback Wilderness provided plenty of cargo room. The robust roof rack could hold a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 700 pounds, appealing to rooftop campers.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT offered dual-zone automatic climate control, with a Clean Air ionizer and rear conditioning vents. The driver’s seat was 8-way power-adjustable and both front seats heated. However, the non-adjustable height for the front passenger seat might generate some discontent on longer journeys.

The Santa Fe’s rear seating was spacious and comfortable, suitable for families. With 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, extending to 72.1 cubic feet with them folded down, the Santa Fe also included a hands-free power liftgate, providing convenience for users handling heavy loads.

Comparing cargo spaces, the Outback Wilderness offered more volume with rear seats down, whereas the Santa Fe had a larger capacity with all seats in place. Storage options and ease of access were practical in both models but had unique points of inconvenience.

Each 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment and climate control system. Though physical knobs for volume, tuning, and temperature were available, most functionalities required the touchscreen, which lacked user-friendly voice recognition. Alternatively, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided a more efficient experience. PIN code entry technology enabled locking the key fob inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel paired with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Its large knobs for volume and tuning facilitated easy operation. While lacking the upgraded system from higher trims, the Santa Fe’s infotainment system boasted user-friendly graphics and functionality.

Hyundai’s digital key technology allowed Android smartphone users to unlock and start the vehicle, though it wasn’t compatible with iPhones. Features like the Leading Vehicle Departure Alert added convenience and safety for users, addressing common distracted driving scenarios.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness focused on preserving EyeSight ADAS, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. Steering-responsive headlights, blind-spot warning, lane-change assistance, and rear cross-traffic warning enhanced its safety features. Although crash-test results weren’t available, the standard Outback had earned top ratings in previous years.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT included numerous standard safety features bundled in Hyundai SmartSense, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Safe Exit Assist prevented occupants from exiting if approaching traffic posed a danger. The ultrasonic rear occupant alert system monitored the rear seats for up to 24 hours, ensuring safety for children left inside.

Both models earned high safety ratings, with the Santa Fe receiving top IIHS and NHTSA scores.