2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a rugged departure from the standard Outback, boasting a higher stance and more aggressive all-terrain tires. With 9.5 inches of ground clearance, it was closer to a Jeep than a station wagon. The Wilderness featured a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents. The roof rack system supported a 700-pound static load, perfect for rooftop camping. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, with Anodized Copper stitching and accents adding a touch of flair. The interior also included a black headliner, Gunmetal Gray trim, and brushed aluminum pedals.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had the look and styling of a downsized CX-5, with an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. It rode on the same platform as the Mazda3, essentially a raised-up version of the Mazda3 hatchback. The CX-30's raked windshield acted like a greenhouse on sunny days, and its slight curve could distort the view for taller drivers. Inside, the cabin was comfortable and quiet, with solid-feeling buttons and doors. The instrument cluster blended conventional and digital displays, and the infotainment screen rose organically from the smooth dashboard. However, the infotainment system had a steep learning curve, detracting from its otherwise attractive design.

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 provided ample power for the 3,896-pound SUV, 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 featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters, though the CVT's droning and soft simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The Wilderness trim included all-wheel drive, 9.5 inches of ground clearance, and 225/65R17 Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires. It also had improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, making it the most capable Outback ever.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's base engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, producing 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Our test model featured the upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel, and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane fuel. Power was routed to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, and a Sport button altered throttle response and shift mapping for a livelier drive. The CX-30 had well-weighted steering, quick turn-in, and minimal body roll, though the suspension could be rough over potholes. The conventional shifter design and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters added to the sporty feel.

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. The front seats were heated, with the driver's seat offering 10-way power adjustment and the front passenger seat 8-way power adjustment. The rear seat provided generous room 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 Outback Wilderness also had a more robust roof rack, supporting a 220-pound dynamic load and a 700-pound static load for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 provided up to 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 20.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in use. Our Turbo Premium Plus model featured a power rear liftgate. The front seats had a sliding center console cover, though it could get stuck under the seat when the rear seats were folded. The center console provided ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. The rear seats offered solid headroom for adults on short-to-medium trips, though longer drives might be tight.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment and climate control system. While it had physical knobs for stereo volume and tuning, and buttons for temperature control and defogger systems, everything else required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was not very responsive to natural commands, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other trims. However, it did feature PIN code entry technology, allowing the key fob to be left inside the vehicle while engaging in outdoor activities.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had an elegant dash design, with the infotainment screen nestled into the dash and controlled by a rotary dial/joystick in the center console. This setup was inspired by luxury-car infotainment systems like BMW's iDrive, but without touch functionality, it was less user-friendly. Navigating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the rotary dial was frustrating, and switching between presets was cumbersome. Despite the attractive design, the infotainment system's usability was a significant drawback.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems (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. It also had steering-responsive headlights, blind-spot warning, lane-change assistance, 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 Mazda CX-30 came with standard driver-assistance features such as forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive cruise control. Our Turbo Premium Plus model included additional features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, front-and-rear parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The CX-30 earned a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.