2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a standout in Subaru's lineup with its rugged design that seemed to stretch the boundaries of what an Outback could be. Elevated by a ride height that brought it closer to a Jeep’s stature, it boasted 9.5 inches of ground clearance, a significant 0.8-inch increase over other Outback models. This gave the Outback a more aggressive stance, complemented by oversized fender protection trim, all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers enhancing its approach and departure angles.

The Wilderness featured a unique grille, 17-inch black wheels, blacked-out exterior trim accented with Anodized Copper highlights, and a practical matte black hood decal to reduce glare. It also introduced a new roof rack system capable of bearing a 700-pound static load, promising sturdiness for rooftop camping. The exclusive Geyser Blue paint added an aesthetically pleasing touch to its rugged build.

Inside, the Outback Wilderness carried a dark gray and black theme, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery giving it a practical, albeit leather-like feel. The cabin lacked ventilated seats, but standard heated ones aimed to compensate. Additional touches like a black headliner, Gunmetal Gray interior trim, Anodized Copper stitching, all-weather floor mats, and a waterproof cargo tray bolstered its rugged readiness.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L maintained a luxurious yet robust exterior, honoring its lineage since its debut in 1992. The model added more than a foot to its original design without losing its iconic style. The Hydro Blue example adorned with the High Altitude package showcased blacked-out grille, logos, door handles, and imposing 21-inch dark gray wheels. Inside, the black leather seats stitched in gold and the matte-finish walnut trim on the dash and doors, it exuded boldness and superiority among its peers.

Recognizable Jeep elements like U-shaped fenders, a square greenhouse, sleek LED lighting, body-color bumpers with integrated exhaust tips, and a curved black roofline presented a harmonious blend of modern and classic. The upper trims offered interiors with luxurious finishes, although some materials lagged behind those found in luxury competitors’ models. However, aluminum speaker grilles, diamond-stitched seats, and a polished black dash with an optional touchscreen embedded displayed satisfactory luxury for a $70,000 SUV.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came equipped with 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 Outback XT models, provided substantial power for a midsize crossover weighing around 3,896 pounds, allowing a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Fuel efficiency was rated at 24 mpg combined by the EPA, though real-world testing on a mountainous route returned 21.3 mpg.

While the engine offered commendable power, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) lagged in providing a satisfying driving experience. Subaru incorporated eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters for enhanced manual control, yet the CVT's droning and simulated "gear changes" felt mushy under maximum acceleration. Even so, the standard all-wheel drive, combined with the Wilderness trim’s heightened stance, 9.5-inch ground clearance, and all-terrain tires, ensured off-road prowess. The revised approach, breakover, and departure angles, alongside Subaru’s dual-mode X-Mode traction system with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes, underscored the Outback’s impressive off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L’s weakest link was its standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain felt dated and underwhelming, particularly when paired with the eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite the V6 engine’s efforts, the SUV's weight demanded more low-end torque, which the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 effectively addressed. The V8, generating 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, significantly improved towing capacity to 7,200 pounds (compared to 6,200 pounds with the V6). However, it sacrificed fuel efficiency with ratings of 14/22/17 mpg city/highway/combined.

The chassis of the Grand Cherokee L offered solid handling and a comfortable ride, particularly with the air suspension system. It managed corners with minimal head toss and lean, delivering class-leading handling except when pitted against performance-oriented models from Mercedes-AMG or BMW M. The varying four-wheel drive systems, such as Quadra-Trac I, II, and Quadra-Drive II, elevated its off-road competence, rivaled only by sophisticated systems like those of Land Rover.

Inside the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, Subaru focused on practicality with dark gray StarTex water-repellant upholstery. The seats, although not ventilated, were heated, making them suitable for colder climates but uncomfortable in the heat. Dual-zone automatic climate control helped maintain a cool atmosphere, and the 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat ensured comfort.

The rear seat offered ample space for two adults or three children along with rear air vents and dual USB ports. Cargo space was generous, with 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats expanding to 75.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The robust roof rack demonstrated a 220-pound dynamic load capacity and a 700-pound static load, indicating its capability for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L took advantage of its increased length with a wheelbase that extended five inches, providing generous legroom in the second row. Standard second-row captain's chairs enhanced comfort, and the Summit trims added a center console with two-tier storage, four-zone climate control, and heated, ventilated seats. The power-folding third row was better suited for children and easy to maneuver.

Visibility from the driver's seat was good, with clear sight lines and organized control buttons. The cargo area was spacious, offering 17 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second row, and an expansive 85 cubic feet with both rows folded flat, positioning it at the top of its class for maximum cargo capacity.

The Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment and climate control system, centralizing control functions. While physical knobs existed for basic functions, other controls relied on the touchscreen, potentially cumbersome since the voice recognition needed precise prompts. Thankfully, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, providing more intuitive voice assistant alternatives.

Despite its target demographic of mid-30s, educated, and higher-income males, the Outback lacked a premium sound system, which was surprising. The available 12-speaker Harman Kardon system from higher trims was conspicuously absent. The PIN code entry system allowed secure vehicle access without carrying the key fob, an essential feature for adventurous lifestyles.

For the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, the base trims incorporated an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, with upper trims featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen and enhanced navigation. All systems utilized Uconnect 5, delivering generally smooth operation despite some legibility issues in the graphics. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh sound system, although not exceptional, was an available standalone option.

The Grand Cherokee L excelled with advanced features like night vision that detected and highlighted people and animals in infrared, semi-automated Active Driving Assist, and luxurious amenities such as 16-way power front seats with massage functions. The passenger screen added convenience and entertainment options, controlling navigation and vehicle cameras, with Amazon Fire TV streaming facilitated by the vehicle’s LTE connection, distinguishing it from many competitors.

The Subaru Outback Wilderness emphasized safety through Subaru’s EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), incorporating adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. The additional blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert enhanced safety, although the DriverFocus distraction mitigation technology was unavailable for the Wilderness trim.

EyeSight's effective Level 2 ADAS functionality was underpinned by its careful calibration. It demonstrated reliable performance during tests, maintaining secure following distances and lane adherence on challenging routes. The vehicle had not been crash-tested at the time, but the standard Outback earned impressive safety ratings including a “Top Safety Pick+” from the IIHS for 2021 and a 5-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L also achieved commendable safety scores, receiving a Top Safety Pick+ for models built after May 2023 following structural reinforcements. It scored five stars overall from the NHTSA, except a four-star rating for rollover.

Standard safety features included front knee airbags, forward and rear emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Advanced features like front cross-traffic braking, 360-degree cameras, and night vision were available on higher trims, enhancing overall safety.