2022 Subaru Outback vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was designed to stand out with its higher stance and rugged features. It offered 9.5 inches of ground clearance, 0.8 inches more than other Outback models, and came equipped with aggressive all-terrain tires and oversized fender protection trim. The restyled front and rear bumpers improved approach and departure angles, making it more capable off-road. Unique design elements included a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents, and a matte black hood decal. The roof rack system was also upgraded to support a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping.

Inside, the Outback Wilderness featured dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, which looked like leather but wasn't. The cabin included heated seats, a black headliner, Gunmetal Gray interior trim, Anodized Copper stitching and accents, brushed aluminum pedals, and all-weather floor mats. The rear seatbacks and cargo tray were waterproof, adding to the vehicle's rugged appeal. These modifications gave the Outback Wilderness a distinct personality and purpose, setting it apart from standard versions. The model was priced at $36,995 plus a $1,125 destination charge, with our test car totaling $39,965.

The 2023 Audi Q5 combined subtle curves with angular accents for a classy yet sporty appearance. It was available in two body styles: the regular Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker silhouette. The Sportback's design included a spoiler-like element above the taillights, giving it a more defined transition from hatch to tail section. Inside, the Q5's refined layout included leather seating and heated front seats as standard, with options for a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen atop the dash provided good visibility, and the materials quality was high, though not as special as it once was due to improvements in non-luxury competitors.

The Q5's build quality was sturdy, with no squeaks or creaks over rough surfaces. It offered a solid choice among competing SUVs from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Porsche. The rear seats provided ample space for passengers, and the overall design was practical and user-friendly. The Q5's interior had stood the test of time well, despite its last redesign being five years ago.

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, shared with the turbo Outback XT models, provided ample power for the 3,896-pound SUV, allowing for 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. While the CVT's droning and soft simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience during maximum acceleration, it was generally adequate for most driving conditions. The Wilderness trim included all-wheel drive (AWD) and specialized wheels, tires, suspension, and traction systems. With 9.5 inches of ground clearance, 17-inch gloss-black wheels, and Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, the Wilderness excelled off-road. It also had improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, a front skid plate, and a dual-function X-Mode traction system.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 201 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque and was the only engine available for the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI was a plug-in hybrid powertrain (PHEV) with 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, offering an estimated 23 miles of electric-only range and a full charge time of 2.5 hours on a 7.4 kW home charger. All Q5 models came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD).

The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a noticeable delay in power delivery, likely due to the slow-to-react transmission. This made initial acceleration feel sluggish, though power was adequate once underway. Handling was sporty and precise, instilling confidence on curvy roads. The Q5 balanced compliance and cornering well, with minimal side-to-side jostling and well-managed bumps. The engine and exhaust remained quiet unless pushed hard, and road and wind noise were well silenced for a calm cabin.

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. While heated front seats were standard, ventilated seats were not available, which could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment, and the front passenger seat had 8-way power adjustment. The rear seat provided generous space 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 robust roof rack with a 220-pound dynamic load rating and a 700-pound static load rating for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since its 2018 redesign but had aged well. The infotainment touchscreen was placed atop the dash for easy visibility, and traditional dials and buttons were provided for climate controls. Outward visibility was good, with a narrowly profiled front roof pillar and better-than-average rear visibility. The front seats offered ample space for taller passengers, and the rear seats accommodated six-footers comfortably. Storage options included several oddly sized and shaped compartments, a wireless phone charger on a sliding tray, and accommodating door pockets. The cargo area provided 25.8 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, with the Sportback offering 24.7 cubic feet.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment and climate control system. While physical knobs and buttons were provided for volume, tuning, temperature control, and defogger systems, most functions required the use of the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was not very responsive to natural commands, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for voice assistant functionality. 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 2023 Audi Q5 featured a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with sharp graphics and quick responses, though it took a while to boot up and activate Apple CarPlay. Both CarPlay and Android Auto were available wirelessly. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The on-screen buttons in Audi's native infotainment system were large and easy to read, but the app buttons in Apple CarPlay were smaller and closer together. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, allowing for feature control such as unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning. Audi Connect Care service included a Wi-Fi hotspot and was available for a limited-time subscription.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness aimed to preserve the efficacy of the standard EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. The Outback Wilderness also featured steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. However, it did not include Subaru's DriverFocus distraction mitigation technology. The EyeSight system proved effective during testing, maintaining safe following distances and keeping the vehicle centered in its lane. The 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received five out of five stars for overall, frontal, and side protection from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and four stars in rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Q5 its highest score of "Good" in all crashworthiness tests and named it a Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors. The Q5 Premium Plus trim added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist. The top Prestige trim included matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, a semi-automated parking system, and a traffic sign reader. Rear-seat side impact airbags were optional on all trims.