2022 Toyota Highlander vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stood tall with its increased ride height and rugged features, stretching the bounds of what could still be considered a station wagon. With 9.5 inches of ground clearance, it resembled a Jeep more than a traditional Outback. The model featured aggressive all-terrain tires under oversized fender trim, improved approach and departure angles from restyled bumpers, and a unique grille design. This trim also sported black 17-inch wheels, blacked-out trim with Anodized Copper accents, and a matte black hood decal to reduce glare. The roof rack and rail system were capable of supporting a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping, and Geyser Blue offered an exclusive paint option.

Inside, the cabin was drenched in dark gray and black tones, featuring StarTex water-repellant upholstery that mimicked leather. While heated seats were standard, ventilated seats would have been a beneficial addition, especially given the interior's tendency to heat up. The cabin also boasted a black headliner, Gunmetal Gray interior trim, Anodized Copper stitching and accents, brushed aluminum pedals, and all-weather floor mats. Waterproof rear seatbacks and a waterproof cargo tray were also available.

The Subaru Outback Wilderness started at $36,995 plus a destination charge of $1,125, fitting between the Onyx XT and the Limited XT trim levels. Our Autumn Green test car was equipped with a power sunroof, navigation system, and reverse automatic braking, bringing the total cost to $39,965.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander, conversely, showcased a modern, somewhat aggressive front-end design. The flared fender arches and the slight uplift of the third-row window made this spacious vehicle appear smaller than it actually was. The XSE trim, with its unique combination of a navy blue exterior and bold optional red leather interior, added a sporty flair. The XSE also featured ambient interior lighting, sport-tuned suspension, and distinctive exterior styling.

The Highlander’s trim lineup began with the base L and escalated through LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. The base L trim provided 18-inch alloy wheels, pushbutton start, proximity keyless entry, three-zone climate control, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa.

Moving up the tiers added further amenities. For instance, the LE featured LED fog lights and a power liftgate, while the XLE added heated front seats, a power moonroof, and second-row sunshades. The XSE, our test trim, included uniquely styled front and rear bumpers, 20-inch alloy wheels, and dual exhaust tips. Higher trims like Limited included features such as heated and ventilated front seats and a hands-free power liftgate. The top-tier Platinum added advanced features like adaptive headlights, a panoramic sunroof, and a 360-degree parking camera.

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 facilitated a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Despite its strong engine, its transmission—a continuously variable transmission (CVT)—detracted from the driving experience by delivering soft and sometimes mushy simulated gear changes. Subaru upheld its tradition with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) on the Outback models.

Unique to the Wilderness, the Outback featured wheels wrapped in Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, offering excellent grip for off-road conditions. With a ground clearance of 9.5 inches, improved approach and departure angles, and a dual-function X-Mode traction system, the Wilderness excelled off pavement. Our test demonstrated its capability on rugged trails in the Santa Monica Mountains.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Highlander came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission available in FWD or AWD. The Highlander's V6 excelled at highway speeds and provided ample passing power with a throaty exhaust note. The drive-mode button in the center console allowed for Sport, Normal, and Eco modes, while the AWD system featured Mud/Sand, Rock, and Normal modes.

The Highlander’s towing capacity reached up to 5,000 pounds, making it suitable for towing tasks, while its sport-tuned suspension on the XSE trim reduced body roll and offered smooth handling in varied driving conditions.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness's interior featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, providing water resistance and durability. The front seats offered excellent adjustability, with the driver's seat offering 10-way and the front passenger seat 8-way power adjustment. Heating functionality for both front and rear seats added comfort during colder days.

Rear passengers enjoyed spacious legroom and dual USB ports for charging, though the StarTex material could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The Outback Wilderness provided 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and expanded to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The versatile cargo area featured waterproof seatbacks and cargo trays, with useful LED lighting and a robust roof rack with up to a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander offered substantial cargo space: 84.3 cubic feet with the second and third-row seats folded, 48.4 cubic feet with only the third row folded, and 16 cubic feet behind the third-row seats. Quick-release latches made lowering the seats easy, and pull-straps helped raise the third-row seats. Features like a power liftgate or a hands-free power liftgate on higher trims enhanced convenience.

The Highlander’s interior featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, versatile storage solutions including deep door pockets and a spacious center console, and second-row captain's chairs in some trims. While the second row was spacious, the third row offered limited comfort for adult passengers on longer rides.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen dominating the dashboard. While it featured physical knobs for essential controls, most functions required interacting with the touchscreen. The voice recognition left something to be desired, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration offered better voice assistant functionality.

Interestingly, Subaru did not offer a premium Harman Kardon sound system with the Wilderness trim, which could be a missed opportunity for its target audience. However, the Outback did feature PIN code entry technology, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to secure and access their vehicle without the key fob.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander featured a WiFi hotspot, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, combined with hard buttons for easier interface navigation. Higher trims offered an optional 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system. The XSE trim included a wireless charging pad and ports beneath the climate controls.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness maintained Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver-assistance systems, providing adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assistance. It also featured steering-responsive headlights and a blind-spot warning system with lane-change assist. While crash-test results for the Wilderness trim were unavailable, standard Outback models earned the highest safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander included the Toyota Safety Sense suite, offering standard forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were included in all but the base L trim. Higher trims featured additional options like front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view parking monitor, and a head-up display. Lane-keeping assist and centering were functional but could be overly active at times.