2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a rugged take on the traditional Outback, offering a higher stance and a more adventurous design. It featured 9.5 inches of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. The exterior was distinguished by a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, while the interior boasted StarTex water-repellant upholstery and a host of rugged design elements. The Outback Wilderness was positioned between the Onyx XT and Limited XT in the lineup, with a price tag of $36,995 plus destination charges.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded luxury and elegance, with a design that was both sporty and sophisticated. It borrowed the tall, tent-like profile of the larger Range Rover and scaled it into a sleek package. The Velar featured a sloping roof, flush door handles, and distinctive taillight lenses. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Inside, the Velar's cabin was stylish, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. Despite its luxurious appearance, the Velar's interior was more compact, with limited cargo space and some design quirks that detracted from its functionality.

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 3,896-pound vehicle, with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The 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 Outback's CVT, while functional, lacked the engaging feel of a dual-clutch transmission. The Wilderness trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with 9.5 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and a dual-function X-Mode traction system.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a lower center of gravity and improved handling. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, delivering 247 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. The Velar's eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD provided decent acceleration, though the vehicle's 4,100-pound weight required a firm press on the accelerator. The optional air suspension offered a plush ride and up to 10 inches of clearance. The Velar's Terrain Response system included six driving modes, but its off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a spacious interior with dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but not ideal for hot weather. The front seats offered power adjustments, and the rear seat provided ample room for passengers. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the seat folded. The Outback's roof rack supported a 700-pound static load, making it suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had a more compact interior, with limited headroom and visibility due to its stylish design. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's interior design included some frustrating elements, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was user-friendly, and the cabin featured high-quality materials.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which required the use of the touchscreen for most functions. While the voice recognition technology was not intuitive, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better voice assistant functionality. The Outback also featured a PIN code entry system for keyless access.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a pleasant surprise, offering a simplified layout and logical arrangements. The system included a voice assistant, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system could suggest traffic detours and provide off-road measurements. The Velar also came with a 12-speaker Meridian stereo and other standard features.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with the EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness also featured steering-responsive headlights and a blind-spot warning system. While crash-test results for the 2022 model were not available, the 2021 Outback received high safety ratings.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been crash-tested by U.S. agencies, but it scored well in European NCAP tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.