2022 Subaru Outback vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness presented a rugged and adventurous aesthetic, distinguishing itself from the standard Outback with its elevated stance and off-road enhancements. It featured 9.5 inches of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. The exterior was marked by a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, while the interior boasted StarTex water-repellant upholstery and a dark, rugged theme. The Outback Wilderness was designed to appeal to those seeking a vehicle with a more adventurous spirit, offering a blend of practicality and off-road capability.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling update, shedding some of its previous quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern look. The new design featured a lowered beltline, cleaner lines, and a sleeker appearance, with the windshield wipers tucked under the hood's lip. The HR-V's interior was thoughtfully designed, offering a comfortable and refined cabin with perforated leather seats in the EX-L trim. The HR-V's design updates aimed to provide a more premium feel, appealing to those who value a sleek and modern aesthetic in a subcompact SUV.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided ample power for the midsize SUV, which weighed 3,896 pounds and had a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios, though some drivers found the CVT's performance less engaging. The vehicle's all-wheel-drive system, combined with its lifted suspension and all-terrain tires, made it highly capable off-road, with improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. The Outback Wilderness excelled in challenging terrains, offering a dual-function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control for enhanced off-road performance.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. This was an improvement over the previous model, but the HR-V was still considered underpowered compared to some competitors. The updated CVT featured a Step-Shift function to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds, but paddle shifters were no longer available. The HR-V offered Normal, Snow, and ECON drive modes, with Sport mode available for a more spirited driving experience. The HR-V's new suspension and widened tracks contributed to a fun driving experience on mountain roads, though it lacked the power of some rivals.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness offered a spacious interior with dark gray StarTex upholstery, providing water-repellant protection. The front seats were heated and featured power adjustments, while the rear seats offered generous space for passengers. The cargo area provided 32.5 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up and 75.7 cubic feet with them folded down. The Outback Wilderness also featured a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, as a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior with a center console featuring a shelf for storage. The HR-V's fastback design slightly reduced rear-seat headroom, but the overall interior space was comfortable. Cargo space measured 24.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55.1 cubic feet with them folded. The HR-V's rear seats featured a 60/40 split and created a nearly flat floor when folded. The passenger volume varied slightly between trims, with the EX-L offering a bit more space.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dominating the center dashboard. While it included physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required touchscreen interaction. The voice recognition technology was less intuitive, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available for better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness also featured a PIN code entry system, allowing drivers to leave the key fob inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a tablet-style touchscreen for its infotainment system, with physical knobs for power and volume. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, with wireless versions available on the EX-L. The HR-V also included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 9-inch infotainment display on the EX-L trim. The EX-L trim offered additional features like a wireless charging pad, WiFi capability, and an eight-speaker audio system.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with the EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness trim also featured steering-responsive headlights and a blind-spot warning system. While crash-test results for the 2022 model were not available, the standard Outback received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2023 Honda HR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of ADAS, including adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, and lane-keeping assist. New features for 2023 included traffic-sign recognition and traffic jam assist. The HR-V's safety features were generally unobtrusive and effective. While crash-test results for the 2023 model were pending, the 2022 HR-V received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.