2022 Subaru Outback vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness presented itself as a rugged and elevated version of the standard Outback, with a design that leaned more towards an adventurous SUV than a traditional station wagon. It featured a significant 9.5 inches of ground clearance, enhanced by 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 was dominated by dark gray and black tones with StarTex water-repellant upholstery. Despite its rugged enhancements, the Outback Wilderness maintained a balance between functionality and style, offering a robust roof rack and a new exclusive Geyser Blue paint option.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe maintained a more conservative yet attractive design, consistent with its previous model year. Available in five trims, the Santa Fe offered a spacious five-passenger configuration without the cramped third row, enhancing rear-seat legroom and cargo space. The Calligraphy AWD trim, in particular, featured a sophisticated black-on-black interior with Nappa leather seats, providing a luxurious feel. The Santa Fe's exterior was characterized by its wide grilles and thin LED headlights, while the interior boasted a high-quality look with options for beige or gray to add visual contrast. The Santa Fe's design was practical and comfortable, with features like a panoramic sunroof and a head-up display enhancing the driving experience.

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, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided adequate power for its 3,896-pound weight and a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. However, the CVT's droning and soft gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The Wilderness trim stood out with its 9.5 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and enhanced suspension and traction systems, making it the most capable Outback for off-road adventures. It featured a dual-function X-Mode traction system and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, allowing it to tackle challenging terrains with ease.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine producing 191 horsepower and a turbocharged version delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged engine, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided brisk acceleration and smooth performance, especially in Sport mode. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering, and it offered a drive-mode selector with Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart modes. While the Santa Fe was not tested off-road, it had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds with the turbo engine, making it a versatile choice for various driving needs.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a practical interior with dark gray StarTex upholstery, offering water-repellant properties but lacking ventilated seats. The front seats provided 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 8-way for the passenger, ensuring comfort. The rear seat offered generous space for two adults or three children, with heated seats and dual USB charging ports. The cargo area provided 32.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and included waterproof materials and LED lighting. The robust roof rack supported a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in interior space, offering 41.7 inches of rear-seat legroom and 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet. The SEL and higher trims featured an eight-way power driver's seat and heated front seats, with additional comfort features like dual-zone climate control and a hands-free smart liftgate. The Calligraphy trim included a head-up display, premium trim, and ambient lighting. The panoramic sunroof and underfloor storage compartment added to the Santa Fe's appeal, though the wide center console slightly reduced driver leg space.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering physical knobs for basic controls but relying heavily on the touchscreen for other functions. The voice recognition technology required learning specific prompts, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided better functionality. The Outback also featured PIN code entry technology, allowing keyless access for active lifestyles. However, the lack of a premium sound system was a notable omission for this adventurous model.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe impressed with its in-vehicle technology, offering a 4.2-inch color LCD display in lower trims and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims. The infotainment system varied from an 8-inch display in the base trim to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation in higher trims, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The system's voice recognition capabilities were mixed, but the overall customization and connectivity options were commendable.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness prioritized safety with its EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems, 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 Wilderness were unavailable, the standard Outback earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Highway Driving Assist feature enhanced driving ease, and the safe-exit system provided additional safety reminders. The Santa Fe received the highest safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, reinforcing its reputation as a safe and reliable SUV.