2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was designed to stretch the boundaries of what a station wagon could be, edging closer to a Jeep in its ruggedness. It featured a 9.5-inch ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and improved approach and departure angles due to restyled bumpers. The unique grille design, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents added to its distinctive look. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, with Anodized Copper stitching and accents, and a black headliner. The Outback Wilderness was priced at $36,995 plus a $1,125 destination charge, with our test car totaling $39,965.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance, offered a more refined and luxurious experience. The RX 350h Luxury test vehicle featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim. The exterior design of the RX 500h stood out with its Copper paint job, blacked-out grille, and matte-black 21-inch wheels. The RX 350h was expected to be priced just over $60,000, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance was estimated to close in on $70,000.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by 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 allowed the Wilderness to tow up to 3,500 lbs. The EPA estimated its fuel efficiency at 24 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing averaged 21.3 mpg. The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios, but its performance was somewhat hampered by the CVT's droning and soft gear changes. The vehicle's all-wheel drive system, combined with its 9.5-inch ground clearance and all-terrain tires, made it highly capable off-road.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two distinct hybrid powertrains. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 36 mpg in combined driving. It accelerated to 60 mph in about 7.4 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, on the other hand, used a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 27 mpg in combined driving. It accelerated to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The RX 500h also featured an adaptive damping suspension, upgraded brakes, and a Dynamic Rear Steering system, making it more athletic and fun to drive. However, real-world testing showed the RX 500h averaged only 20.9 mpg.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness 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 both front and rear. 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 roof rack could support a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 350h Luxury, offered a more comfortable and luxurious interior with ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and three-zone automatic climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable front seats with larger side bolsters and standard heated and ventilated seats. The rear seat, while providing excellent leg support and good legroom, had tight headroom due to the higher seat cushion and lower roofline. The cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, a significant improvement over the previous model.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with physical knobs for volume and tuning and buttons for temperature control. However, most functions required the use of the touchscreen, and the voice recognition technology was not very responsive. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available for better voice assistant functionality. The Outback also featured a PIN code entry system, allowing the key fob to be left inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, the Lexus Interface, which required activation of connected services plans for full functionality. The system included a cloud-based navigation system, Intelligent Assistant digital voice assistant, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the touchscreen could only display one menu at a time, and the screen suffered from reflections. The available head-up display had dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, which could be distracting and difficult to use with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came equipped with the EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), which included 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 featured steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. The 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0), which included a motorcycle detection system, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance with front cross-traffic alert, and a curve-speed reduction feature for adaptive cruise control. The RX also had Proactive Driving Assist, which slowed the vehicle when the accelerator pedal was released, and a driver monitoring system. The new Traffic Jam Assist system allowed for low-speed, hands-free driving, and Advanced Park was available for semi-autonomous parking.