2022 Subaru Outback vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a rugged take on the traditional Outback, offering a higher stance and more aggressive styling that blurred the lines between a station wagon and an off-road vehicle. With 9.5 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers, it was designed to tackle rough terrains with ease. The exterior featured unique design elements like a matte black hood decal, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, while the interior was dominated by dark gray and black tones with water-repellant StarTex upholstery. Despite its adventurous spirit, the Outback Wilderness maintained a sense of practicality with a robust roof rack and ample cargo space.

In contrast, the 2023 Genesis GV70 exuded luxury and sophistication, drawing stylistic connections to the G70 sedan. Its interior was a testament to Genesis's commitment to quality, featuring top-notch materials and a blend of contemporary and classic design elements. The GV70's cabin was equipped with a full touchscreen backed by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a user-friendly experience. The gas-powered GV70 came in two trims, the 2.5T and 3.5T, while the Electrified GV70 offered Advance and Prestige trims. Each trim level provided a range of luxury features, from genuine leather upholstery to advanced driver-assistance systems, ensuring a comfortable and safe driving experience.

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, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided adequate power for its 3,896-pound frame and a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. While the CVT offered eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters, its droning and soft gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The Wilderness trim stood out with its all-wheel drive, 9.5 inches of ground clearance, and all-terrain tires, making it the most capable Outback for off-road adventures. It also featured a dual-function X-Mode traction system and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, enhancing its off-road prowess.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, providing a refined and well-rounded driving experience. The GV70 Electrified featured a 77.4-kWh battery pack powering two electric motors, delivering a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. With a Boost Mode increasing output to 483 horsepower, the electric GV70 offered smooth acceleration and a range of 236 miles. Its handling was well-rounded, leaning slightly towards comfort, making it a versatile choice for both city and highway driving.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could become uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats offered 10-way and 8-way power adjustments, while the rear seats provided generous space for two adults or three children. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 75.7 cubic feet with them folded, offering ample storage for outdoor adventures. The Outback Wilderness also boasted a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 28.9 cubic feet with them in use, making it competitive in the compact luxury SUV segment. The GV70's interior featured large cupholders, a center console tray with a retractable lid, and a comfortable seating position for front occupants. However, rear legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to adjust their seats for more space. The rear bench reclined for added comfort, ensuring a pleasant ride for all passengers.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by physical knobs for volume and tuning. While the voice recognition technology required learning specific prompts, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered superior functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other trims, but featured a PIN code entry system for convenience during outdoor activities.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The user-friendly interface included large icons and logical menu navigation, supported by a rotary dial and helpful buttons. The GV70 also offered four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system. Additional features like ambient lighting, a digital instrument panel, and the Genesis digital key enhanced the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with the EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness trim also featured steering-responsive headlights, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. While crash-test results for the 2022 model were unavailable, the 2021 Outback received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technologies, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The 2.5T trim's Advance Package added a blind-spot camera system and a 360-degree parking camera, while the 3.5T's Sport Advance package included similar features. The Electrified GV70 came with most driver-assistance features as standard, with the head-up display available in the Prestige trim.