2023 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stood out with its elevated stance, offering 9.5 inches of ground clearance, which was 0.8 inches higher than other Outback models. This increase, along with aggressive all-terrain tires and oversized fender protection trim, gave it a rugged appearance closer to a Jeep. The restyled front and rear bumpers improved its approach and departure angles, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Additional design features included a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents, and a matte black hood decal. The new roof rack system supported a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping, and the exclusive Geyser Blue paint hue added a distinctive touch.

Inside, the Outback Wilderness featured dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, which looked like leather but wasn't. While the interior lacked ventilated seats, it offered heated ones instead. The cabin included a black headliner, Gunmetal Gray interior trim, Anodized Copper stitching and accents, brushed aluminum pedals, and standard all-weather floor mats. The waterproof rear seatback material and cargo tray were practical additions. Collectively, these modifications injected personality into the Outback's styling, making it stand out from standard versions.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler JL, with its rugged, take-no-prisoners design, offered both two-door and four-door Unlimited versions. The Wrangler's windshield folded down, and it had various top options for open-air exploring. All models featured wide fenders, Jeep's iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and old-school exterior hood latches. The tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted for easy cargo access. The limited-edition Reign purple paint color added a unique flair, while the new Earl color provided a subtle aquamarine highlight.

Inside, the Wrangler's practicality shone with easy-to-clean floor mats and seats. The interior design was simple, with straight lines and no extraneous doodads. The body-colored dash, chunky HVAC controls, and manual transfer case shifter added to its rugged charm. While it lacked ambient lighting and massaging seats, it offered a functional and straightforward cabin.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured 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, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided adequate power for the 3,896-pound SUV, with 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's CVT had eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters for manual control, but its droning and soft simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The standard all-wheel drive (AWD) system, combined with 9.5 inches of ground clearance, 17-inch wheels, and Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, made it capable off-road. The redesigned bumpers improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, while the dual function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control enhanced its off-road prowess. On pavement, the Outback Wilderness felt quick but limited by its tires, while off-road, it excelled on challenging trails.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler offered multiple engine options, including a standard V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, a 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V6 with 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque, and the high-performance Rubicon 392 with a 6.4-liter V8 producing 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid combined two electric motors with a 17.3 kWh battery pack, providing 21 miles of all-electric range.

The Rubicon 392, with its full-time four-wheel drive (4WD) and Off-Road Plus button, offered impressive off-road capabilities, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Different Wrangler models featured various off-road transfer cases, with the Selec-Trac providing a 2.72 low range and the Rock-Trac offering a 4:1 low range. The Xtreme Recon package further enhanced the crawl ratio to 58:1. However, the 392's brakes and steering were less impressive on-road, with vague steering and inadequate braking power.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness's interior featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats offered 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 8-way for the passenger, with heated seats for added comfort. The rear seat provided ample space for two adults or three children, 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 robust roof rack supported a 220-pound dynamic load and a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's front seats were comfortable, with heated options available in the 392 or with a cold-weather package. The rear seat could fit three in the four-door models, but space was tight, and the small rear doors made access challenging. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash and tiny glove box and center consoles. The cargo area offered 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The hard top could be removed in one piece or with the two front panels, while the soft top and Sky One-Touch power soft top provided open-air options. The Wrangler also featured multiple USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, and a 115-volt outlet.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which dominated the center dashboard. While it had physical knobs for volume and tuning and buttons for temperature control, most functions required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less responsive to natural commands, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other trims. The PIN code entry technology allowed for keyless access, ideal for active lifestyles.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect infotainment system, while our tester had the larger 8.4-inch screen. The system initially appeared complicated but was intuitive once familiar. Jeep's off-road pages provided detailed information about power distribution, temperatures, oil pressure, pitch and roll, and GPS coordinates. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included. The Wrangler also had a forward-facing camera for off-road trails and auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories. However, it lacked a digital key and over-the-air updates for vehicle performance.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness included the EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. The Wilderness also had steering-responsive headlights, blind-spot warning, lane-change assistance, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Outback Wilderness earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's standard safety features included a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard only on the 392 model and optional elsewhere. Lane-keeping assist was not available. The IIHS ratings were mixed, with some trims receiving Poor rankings for headlights. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler four out of five stars for frontal crash tests and three out of five for rollover ratings.