2023 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was designed to stand out with its increased ground clearance of 9.5 inches, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. It featured a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents. The interior was dominated by dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, with heated seats and a black headliner. The Outback Wilderness was priced at $36,995 plus a destination charge of $1,125, with our test car totaling $39,965.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder carried over from its 2022 redesign with minimal changes, except for the new Rock Creek trim. It combined futuristic headlights with traditional design elements, resulting in a modern yet timeless look. The interior featured clean lines and a sensible layout, making it both visually appealing and practical. The Pathfinder was available in S, SV, SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum trims, with the Rock Creek offering off-road suspension, all-terrain tires, and unique styling elements. The Platinum trim included upgraded leather upholstery and 20-inch alloy wheels.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It had a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs and an EPA fuel efficiency rating of 24 mpg in combined driving. The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters. It came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) and had a commendable 9.5 inches of ground clearance. The Wilderness trim included gloss-black 17-inch wheels with Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, a dual function X-Mode traction system, and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. The Rock Creek trim had a slightly tuned version of the same engine, producing 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. Power was routed through a 9-speed automatic transmission to either front-wheel drive (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD). The Pathfinder Rock Creek featured a taller suspension with off-road shocks and standard AWD. It had a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds with the Rock Creek trim, while other models could tow up to 3,500 pounds. The Pathfinder offered various drive modes, including Eco, Sport, Normal, Sand, Mud/Rut Snow, and Towing, with an additional All-Terrain mode in the Rock Creek.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated and offered 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 8-way for the passenger. The rear seat provided generous space for two adults or three kids, 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 Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder offered up to 80.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded flat. With the second row in use, it provided 45 cubic feet of cargo space, and 16.6 cubic feet with all seats upright. The first two rows had ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was suitable for shorter trips. The optional second-row captain’s chairs made accessing the third row easier. The Pathfinder featured 12 cupholders and four bottle holders, along with plenty of cubbies and compartments. The Rock Creek trim had a useful roof rack that could hold up to 220 pounds.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which dominated the center of the dashboard. It included physical knobs for stereo volume and tuning, and buttons for temperature control and defogger systems. The voice recognition technology required learning specific prompts, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available for better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness also featured PIN code entry technology, allowing the key fob to be left inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum trims had a larger 9-inch touchscreen system. The Pathfinder included four USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and voice recognition. The SV trim added a Wi-Fi hotspot, while the SL trim included wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless device charging, and a third-row USB port. The Platinum trim added a second third-row USB port. The infotainment system was easy to use, though some might find it dated compared to newer options.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system (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. It 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 and a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward and reverse collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, rear parking sensors, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SV trim added ProPilot Assist, which included lane centering and adaptive cruise control. The SL trim added front parking sensors, a 360-degree parking monitor, and traffic-sign recognition. The Platinum trim included rain-sensing wipers and a head-up display. The Rock Creek trim featured front- and side-view cameras for off-road monitoring.