2022 Volvo XC60 vs 2023 Subaru Outback

Volvo made subtle styling changes to the 2022 XC60, including a new front fascia with "air blades" for a sportier look, a redesigned rear bumper that hides the tailpipes, and new wheel designs. The front grille was reworked to house sensors for driver-assist systems behind the heated Volvo logo. The XC60 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo models like the XC90, S90, and V60 Cross Country. Inside, the XC60 retained its clean design with a new digital instrument cluster, a portrait-oriented touchscreen, and minimal clutter. The B6 R-Design model featured aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, while the Inscription trim offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

For 2023, Subaru gave the Outback a facelift with a new front end, redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding. The Outback's aggressive appearance was further enhanced by a simulated skid plate, fog lights, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim. The Onyx Edition, available with both base and turbocharged powertrains, offered black wheels and trim that complemented the cladding. The Outback's interior featured Java Brown premium Nappa leather upholstery, a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. The Touring trim included heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear outboard seats.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 engines. Both powertrains combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system and an integrated starter generator, adding 13 horsepower in short bursts. The B6 powertrain also featured an electric supercharger. The B5 produced 258 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 delivered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 offering standard FWD or optional AWD, and the B6 available only with AWD. The XC60 B5 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds (6.6 seconds with FWD), while the B6 achieved it in 5.9 seconds. The XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 5 seconds. The Polestar Engineered version increased output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.9 seconds.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known as boxer types, which helped reduce the vehicle's center of gravity. The standard engine produced 182 hp at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. The CVT made good use of the power at lower speeds, but passing and climbing power was limited. The Outback's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, but fuel efficiency was lower than expected, with an average of 25.6 mpg. The turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine in the XT models produced 260 hp at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. The XT models were less fuel-efficient, with a combined rating of 25 mpg, and the Wilderness trim rated at 23 mpg. The CVT was programmed to mimic an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all Outback models featured an Active Torque Split AWD system. The Outback's X-Mode traction system optimized the drivetrain for challenging terrain, and the vehicle handled off-roading with ease. The Outback's suspension provided a firm ride at lower speeds and excellent ride quality at higher speeds.

The 2022 Volvo XC60's interior space remained unchanged, offering competitive passenger space within its market segment. Front-seat headroom was above average, but rear-seat headroom was tied with the Audi Q5 for the worst in the segment. Legroom in both rows was about average. The mild-hybrid models offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 49.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The plug-in hybrid models had slightly less cargo capacity, at 21.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 49.3 cubic feet with the rear seats down. The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good forward and rear visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a purposeful roof rack, flat door sill trim, and a dashboard storage shelf. The Touring trim included a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with a manually adjustable thigh support bolster, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and heated and ventilated front seats. The rear outboard seats were also heated. The Outback's interior was comfortable, with premium Nappa leather upholstery and ample legroom. The cargo space measured 32.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 75.6 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. The flat, textured plastic door sills served as steps to reach the roof rack. The Outback's ease of entry and exit, combined with its height-adjustable front seats and supportive rear seat cushion, made it convenient for passengers.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul with a 9-inch touchscreen running the Android Automotive operating system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The new system included Google Assistant for voice control, Google Maps for navigation, and access to third-party apps like Spotify through the Google Play Store. The system also supported over-the-air software updates and promised full iPhone compatibility. The digital instrument cluster could display a map between the speedometer and tachometer, with a "Calm" setting to minimize distractions. Optional features included a head-up display and upgraded audio systems from Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate control. The base model had a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims offered wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, access to Starlink connected services, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. The Starlink system's usability was improved for 2023, but the graphics and colorful icons were not favored. The voice recognition system was unreliable, making wireless smartphone connectivity essential. Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera, but a surround-view camera was not available.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA for the 2022 model year, but the 2021 model received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic post-collision braking, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. New features for 2022 included Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. The optional Pilot Assist driver-assistance system combined adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured new EyeSight cameras and an electronic brake booster to refine safety features and support new pedestrian, cyclist, and automatic steering functions. The IIHS rated the Outback as exceptionally safe, with top marks across the board. The Base model included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering. The Limited and Touring trims offered a third Wide-Angle Mono Camera for better pedestrian and cyclist detection. The Outback's adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous lane-centering assist systems were less impressive, with artificial steering feel. The rear automatic braking system was incompatible with some driveways, causing jarring stops.