2022 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness presented a rugged and adventurous aesthetic, distinguishing itself from the standard Outback models. It featured a higher ride height with 9.5 inches of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and unique design elements like a matte black hood decal and Anodized Copper accents. The interior was dominated by dark gray and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching. While the cabin lacked ventilated seats, it offered heated ones, and the overall design injected a sense of purpose and personality into the Outback's styling.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sportage showcased a more refined and stylish design, despite some criticism of its tiger-nose grille. The SUV boasted a planted stance with 19-inch wheels and Germanic design cues inside, such as polished metallic accents and a high-contrast interior. The Sportage's cabin was upscale, with easy-to-use buttons and knobs for controls, and it exuded a sense of quality with its solid transmission shifter operation. Overall, the Sportage's design was sophisticated and sporty, appealing to those seeking a more polished look.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided ample power for the midsize SUV, which weighed 3,896 pounds and had a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The Outback Wilderness achieved an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing showed an average of 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route. The vehicle's CVT, while offering paddle shifters, was less satisfying due to its droning and soft simulated gear changes. The Wilderness trim excelled off-road, with 9.5 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and improved approach and departure angles. It featured a dual-function X-Mode traction system and was capable of tackling challenging terrain with ease.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options, with the SX Turbo model delivering 240 horsepower (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain provided quick acceleration, especially beneficial at higher elevations. The Sportage used a six-speed automatic transmission, with the option of Kia's Dynamax all-wheel-drive system. The SX Turbo's ride was smooth and compliant, with upgraded brakes and exclusive 19-inch wheels. While the Sportage felt athletic and sporty, its steering and tire grip could be improved. Overall, the Sportage SX Turbo was fun to drive, though not as refined as some competitors.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats offered power adjustments, and the rear seat provided ample space for passengers, with heated seats and air conditioning vents. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack, supporting a 700-pound static load for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, despite being on the smaller side of the compact SUV scale, offered a roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim featured perforated leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port. The Sportage's cargo space was 30.7 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The smart liftgate technology provided hands-free access to the cargo area, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with physical knobs for volume and tuning. While the voice recognition technology required learning specific prompts, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other trims. However, it featured PIN code entry technology, allowing owners to leave the key fob inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

The 2022 Kia Sportage was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SX Turbo trim included wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for volume and tuning, though the UVO Link system was less advanced compared to competitors. Despite its limitations, the Sportage's technology was simple and easy to use.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness trim also had steering-responsive headlights and a blind-spot warning system. While crash-test results for the 2022 model were unavailable, the 2021 Outback earned high safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage received favorable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX Turbo earning an Acceptable headlight rating, qualifying it for a Top Safety Pick award.