2023 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 continued the legacy of the RAV4 series, which began as a niche market offering in 1996. Through its five generations, the RAV4 expanded beyond its initial "cute-ute" categorization to become a mature and popular crossover SUV. The 2022 model was a refined version of the 2019 redesign, frequently topping the U.S. sales charts.

The exterior of the 2022 RAV4 was not immediately eye-catching but distinguished itself upon closer inspection. Angular wheel arches and crisp body lines contrasted with smoother shapes along the sides, creating a dynamic visual cohesion. Its pointed headlights, compact grille, and playful lower fascia offered a face that balanced between playful and aggressive—giving a nod to traditional Toyota's quality fit-and-finish.

Inside, the 2022 RAV4 offered a well-designed dashboard featuring contrasting textures and colors, anchored by an uncomplicated central stack. A prominently placed touchscreen ensured minimal distraction while driving. Detailed examination revealed unique design elements, such as a recurring geometric pattern inspired by circuit boards, intertwining parts of the cabin from seat inserts to dash pieces. The 19-inch matte gray alloy wheels reinforced the cohesive geometric theme.

The 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift, featuring a reworked front end with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray cladding mimicking large air intakes. Additional elements like a simulated skid plate, fog lights in oversized housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trims reminiscent of the Wilderness model enhanced its aggressive stance.

The overall aesthetic appeal of the Outback was subjective. Darker paint options could downplay some of its bolder design choices, while the Onyx Edition, complete with black wheels and trim, better complemented its audacious cladding. The Onyx Edition also became more accessible in 2023, offering a non-turbo powertrain with a starting price reduced by $5,100 compared to the previous year's turbocharged version.

Inside, the Touring trim of the 2023 Outback offered an interior that juxtaposed Java Brown premium Nappa leather with a largely black interior, embellished with light gray contrast stitching, giving it a boutique and cohesive feel. While practical, Subaru’s inclusion of hard plastic trims didn’t cheapen the cabin's overall feel but added to its appeal, especially useful door sills that doubled as steps for the robust roof rack. However, the infotainment system and gloss black trim often attracted dust and smudges, somewhat marring the high-quality interior experience.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 sported three powertrain options. The gasoline-only model came equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it offered either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Fuel economy ratings for FWD were 27-28 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined. AWD models slightly trailed at 25-27 mpg city, 32-34 mpg highway, and 28-30 mpg combined.

The RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, generating a total 217 hp. The system employed an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT) and boasted impressive fuel efficiency at 41 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and 40 mpg combined.

The RAV4 Prime carried the torch as the lineup’s powerhouse, mixing a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with an 18.1-kilowatt-hour battery pack for a total of 302 hp. The AWD Prime achieved 40 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 38 mpg combined, along with a remarkable 42-mile electric range and a combined 94 MPGe. Charging options included a 3.3-kilowatt on-board charger (6.6 kW optional on XSE models), ranging from 12 hours on Level 1 (120 volts) to 2.5 hours at Level 2 (with the 6.6-kW charger on XSE).

The gasoline Adventure AWD model tested displayed adequate everyday performance. It smoothly delivered power without turbo lag, and the eight-speed transmission was responsive when needed. Driving modes like Sport, Eco, and Normal allowed some tailoring of driving experience, though the differences were modest. The RAV4’s true independent suspension with MacPherson struts in the front and multi-link in the rear, coupled with AWD’s Multi-Terrain Select and dynamic torque vectoring, ensured a controlled and stable ride.

The 2023 Subaru Outback used Subaru's characteristic flat boxer engines, helping to lower the center of gravity. The standard engine produced 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Despite the Subaru hallmark of boxer-engine grumble, our test model’s 3,781-pound weight made it feel underpowered, struggling particularly when passing or climbing. Fuel economy fell short at 25.6 mpg combined over more than 600 miles, below the EPA’s 28 mpg estimate.

The turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four found in XT models delivered a robust 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, making it a more appealing choice for power-hungry drivers, though it came at the cost of fuel efficiency rated at 25 mpg combined, and 23 mpg for the Wilderness trim due to its higher stance and off-road tires.

All engines paired to a CVT, programmed to mimic an eight-speed transmission with paddle shifters adding an interactive element. The AWD system could actively split torque, enhanced by the X-Mode for tougher terrains and an elevated 9.5-inch ground clearance in the Wilderness trim, proving exceptional in off-road conditions and tricky terrains like snow and mud.

However, the standard 182-hp engine felt woefully inadequate on highways, necessitating hard pushes on the gas pedal for passing maneuvers and climbing inclines, often responding with more audible effort than actual acceleration. The turbo option addressed these shortcomings, offering needed performance upgrades, but at a significant extra cost.

In urban settings, the Outback excelled with good visibility, practical size, and easy parking, supported by standard AWD and an effective suspension system ensuring smooth rides over various terrains. However, it performed less confidently on high-speed roads due to the underpowered standard engine.

Over the years, the Toyota RAV4 had grown in size and capacity, making the 2022 model particularly versatile. It offered up to 37.5 cubic feet of storage behind the second row, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. It could carry a payload between 1,050 and 1,230 pounds, based on configuration. Towing capacities varied: 1,500 pounds for LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited, and up to 3,500 pounds for Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims. The RAV4 Hybrid could tow 1,750 pounds, and the Prime went up to 2,500 pounds.

Interior-wise, the RAV4 comfortably accommodated four adults with an option for a fifth. The front row was spacious, with ample leg and shoulder room, while cupholders, bottle holders, and several storage compartments, including a large glove box and a covered center console, ensured convenience. The second-row seating was more snug but still offered adequate space.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility and comfort. Our Touring test model had 12-way power-adjustable front seats for the driver, including a thigh support bolster, and an eight-way power seat for the passenger, both with heating and ventilation. All seats were wrapped in premium Nappa leather, and the rear outboard seats also featured heating. Despite frequent holiday travels and four-hour drives, the Outback provided no complaints about comfort, legroom, or storage from two adults and two teenagers.

The Outback was easy to get in and out of, thanks to its higher ride height and supportive seats. Cargo capacity measured 32.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expanded to 75.6 cubic feet when folded. The flat and textured plastic door sills served dual purposes as steps to access the roof rack, making it easy to load and unload cargo. However, the vehicle’s practical storage could be improved by redesigning the center console to include more trays or cubbies.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a six-speaker audio setup, and compatibility with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa. Higher trims upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen, while the top-tier models received an 11-speaker JBL audio system and navigation. The RAV4 Prime stood out with five USB ports, two auxiliary power outlets, an available 120-volt outlet, blue ambient lighting, wireless charging, a bird’s-eye view camera, and a 10-inch color head-up display, showing the advanced tech integration of the model.

For 2023, the Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, received the 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen infotainment system. It featured physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate control but embedded the rest into the touchscreen. Premium and higher trims included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Subaru Starlink services, and an available Harman Kardon audio system and navigation. However, the voice-recognition system was notably subpar, often failing to execute basic commands or locate points of interest.

Additional tech features included a camera-based digital rearview mirror, a 180-degree front-view camera, and various safety technologies. However, the 360-degree camera, although desirable, was not available.

Every 2022 Toyota RAV4 model adhered to the brand’s commitment to safety, integrating the Star Safety System with features such as enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, and anti-lock braking, among others. LATCH anchors, child-guard locks, and Safety Connect services ensured additional security. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 was standard, including pre-collision systems, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alerts, automatic high beams, and more. Higher trims included blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alerts, with front and rear parking assist as available options.

The RAV4 earned accolades from safety organizations, garnering 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick titles for the standard and hybrid models, and the highest five-star rating from NHTSA for the gasoline and hybrid versions.

Subaru expanded its safety features for the 2023 Outback, refining its EyeSight system with new cameras and an electronic brake booster. Standard safety features in the base model included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-assist technologies. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, a new Automatic Emergency Steering feature, and a third Wide-Angle Mono Camera for better pedestrian and cyclist detection.

Our Touring test model demonstrated its safety capabilities effectively, preventing collisions in challenging urban driving conditions. However, adaptive cruise control and lane-centering systems felt less natural and could become an irritation to drivers. The rear automatic braking system faced compatibility issues in some driveway setups.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, too, received high marks for safety, securing top ratings from the IIHS.