2022 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Volvo XC60

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stretched the boundaries of a typical station wagon, closely resembling a Jeep due to its higher stance and rugged modifications. With 9.5 inches of ground clearance—an increase of 0.8 inches over other Outback models—the Wilderness exuded a more adventurous spirit. This higher ride height allowed for aggressive all-terrain tires tucked under oversized fender protection trim. The Outback Wilderness also boasted improved approach and departure angles thanks to restyled front and rear bumpers.

Design-wise, it featured a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents. The matte black hood decal reduced glare, and the new roof rack and rail system supported a static load of 700 pounds, perfect for rooftop camping. Geyser Blue was an exclusive paint color for this model, making it stand out even more.

Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black hues, with StarTex water-repellent upholstery that mimicked leather. Although lacking ventilated seats, the heated ones sufficed for chilly days. The interior also featured a black headliner, Gunmetal Gray trim, Anodized Copper stitching and accents, brushed aluminum pedals, and standard all-weather floor mats. Waterproof rear seatbacks and a cargo tray added functionality.

Modifications not only set the Wilderness apart from standard Outback trims but also injected personality into its styling. Positioned between the Onyx XT and Limited XT, the Wilderness was priced at $36,995 plus a $1,125 destination charge.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a more subtle but classy facelift. It sported a new front fascia with "air blades" on either side of the grille, giving it a sportier appearance. A redesigned rear bumper hid the tailpipes, and all models featured new wheel designs. The front grille now housed sensors for driver-assist systems behind a heated Volvo logo, ensuring functionality in cold weather.

Built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, common to XC90, S90, S60, V90 Cross Country, and V60 Cross Country models, the XC60's interior retained its clean, minimalist design. Its portrait-oriented touchscreen and lack of clutter ensured ease of use. The B6 R-Design trim featured stylish aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, though the overall design felt more subdued compared to other Volvos. The Inscription trim offered Nappa leather and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with Subaru's flat design. This engine produced 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm, powering the 3,896-pound vehicle with ease. It towed up to 3,500 pounds, a substantial capacity for its class.

The EPA rated the Wilderness at 24 mpg in combined driving, while real-world tests showed 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route. Its continuously variable transmission (CVT) had eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters but lacked the engagement of a dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The CVT’s droning and soft gear changes weren't satisfying during hard acceleration, though it performed well under normal conditions.

The all-wheel-drive Outback offered 9.5 inches of ground clearance, 17-inch gloss-black wheels with Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, and revised front and rear bumpers for improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. The dual-function X-Mode traction system, skid plating, and hill-descent control made it highly capable off-road. While it felt restricted by its tires on pavement, it excelled in off-road scenarios.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the T5 and T6 versions. These featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with a 48-volt electrical system and integrated starter generator for short bursts of 13 extra horsepower. The B6 also had an electric supercharger.

The B5 powertrain produced 258 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 delivered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft. Both used an eight-speed automatic transmission. The B5 offered front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD), whereas the B6 was exclusively AWD. The B5 hit zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds (6.6 seconds with FWD), and the B6 did it in 5.9 seconds. The B6 R-Design impressed with its smooth power delivery and quiet ride.

Volvo’s XC60 also had a plug-in hybrid variant, the XC60 Recharge, with 400 hp and 472 lb-ft, accelerating from zero to 60 mph in 5 seconds. The Polestar Engineered variant raised output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft and did 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, featuring Öhlins dampers, Akebono brakes, and a front strut bar.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, a water-repellent simulated leather that kept water and sweat from soaking in, though it made for an uncomfortable experience in hot weather. The front seats were heated and adjustable, but ventilation was notably absent.

Rear seats could comfortably accommodate two adults or three children, offering ample space and amenities such as rear air vents and dual USB charging ports. However, the StarTex upholstery created similar discomfort issues as in the front.

The Outback provided generous storage with 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 75.7 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. Waterproof seatbacks and a cargo tray were standard. The roof rack supported a 220-pound dynamic load and a 700-pound static load, perfect for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Volvo XC60’s interior space remained unchanged, offering competitive passenger space. Front-seat headroom was above average, though rear-seat headroom tied with the Audi Q5 for the lowest in its segment. Both rows offered average legroom.

Mild-hybrid models had 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, and 49.8 cubic feet with them folded. Plug-in hybrid models slightly reduced space to 21.1 cubic feet and 49.3 cubic feet, respectively, marking the XC60 as less spacious compared to similarly sized luxury SUVs.

The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with excellent forward and rear visibility. Large exterior mirrors enhanced the driving experience without relying solely on driver-aid systems.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen for infotainment and climate control, with physical knobs for essential functions but relied heavily on the touchscreen for others. Its voice recognition required learning specific commands, making it less user-friendly than desired. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered improved voice assistant functionality.

Despite targeting a mid-30s male demographic with higher income, the Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system like the 12-speaker Harman Kardon system available in other trims. However, it did offer PIN code entry technology, allowing users to leave their key fob inside while engaging in outdoor activities.

The 2022 Volvo XC60's tech overhaul introduced a 9-inch touchscreen running Android Automotive, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Options included a head-up display and upgraded Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins sound systems.

The new operating system incorporated Android-specific features, like Google Assistant voice control, Google Maps navigation, and synchronization of user profiles. The new interface, with sideways swiping for menu access, made navigation intuitive. Apple users could still use the system, though they couldn’t sync their profiles.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness emphasized preserving the effectiveness of its EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and driver monitoring. Its design ensured the technology remained effective despite modifications.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 had yet to be rated by IIHS and NHTSA at the time, but the 2021 model received top ratings from both organizations. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and new features like Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist.

Volvo's Pilot Assist system, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, was also available, making highway driving easier and more controlled.