2023 Jeep Wrangler vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler had a rugged, no-nonsense design that appealed to off-road enthusiasts. Its boxy shape, iconic seven-slot grille, and round headlights gave it a distinctive look. The Wrangler came in both two-door and four-door versions, with the option to remove the doors for an open-air experience. The windshield could be folded down, and various top options were available for those who enjoyed open-air exploring. The wide fenders, adorned with the American flag, added to its robust appearance. The tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted up for easy access to the cargo area. Inside, the Wrangler featured easy-to-clean floor mats and seats, with a body-colored dash and chunky HVAC controls.

In contrast, the 2024 Subaru Outback maintained a more refined and modern appearance. The Wilderness trim received a new front fascia and LED fog lights, while the rest of the lineup retained the look from the 2023 facelift. The dark gray cladding contrasted nicely with the Autumn Green Metallic color of the Touring XT model. Different trims had varying levels of black and chrome exterior fittings, with the Touring trim featuring the most chrome. Wheel sizes and designs also varied by trim, with the Wilderness trim getting matte black wheels. Inside, the top-trim Touring XT boasted Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, while other trims offered different seating materials. The interior was well-appointed, with features like dual-zone climate control and heated seats available on higher trims.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of engine options to suit different off-roading needs. The standard V6 engine produced 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Torque enthusiasts could opt for the 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V6 with 260 horsepower and a whopping 442 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking high performance, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 engine with 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. The plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4xe combined two electric motors with a 17.3 kWh battery pack, offering 21 miles of all-electric range. The Wrangler 392, with its full-time 4WD and Off-Road Plus button, could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. However, its brakes and steering were less impressive, with vague steering and inadequate braking power.

The 2024 Subaru Outback, true to Subaru's tradition, featured a "Boxer" horizontally opposed engine. The base engine was a 2.5-liter flat-four, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, were equipped with a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine, generating 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This turbo engine also increased the towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) were standard across the lineup. The Touring XT model, with its more powerful engine, provided a better driving experience compared to the base engine. The CVT mimicked the feel of an eight-speed transmission, and the brake pedal felt responsive. The Outback's suspension and reasonably sized wheels contributed to a comfortable ride. The Wilderness trim offered 9.2 inches of ground clearance and all-terrain tires for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's front seats were comfortable, but heated seats were only available on the 392 model or with a cold-weather package. Ventilated seats were not an option. The rear seat could fit three passengers in the four-door models, but it was a tight squeeze. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash and small glove box and center console. The cargo space measured 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The hard top could be removed in one piece, and the soft top was relatively easy to remove, though the plastic rear window could be cumbersome in cold weather. The Sky One-Touch power soft top was the most convenient option, allowing the top to slide back in 17 seconds. The Wrangler provided ample charging points, including USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, and a 115-volt outlet.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered generous interior space despite its sleeker proportions. It provided more headroom and legroom compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The cargo area measured 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place and 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Dual-zone climate control and heated front seats were standard on all but the base trim, while higher trims offered features like a power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The hands-free power liftgate was available on the Premium trim and standard on higher trims. The Outback also featured raised roof rails with retractable cross bars, which could be easily stowed away when not in use.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, while higher trims featured an 8.4-inch screen. The system initially appeared complex but was intuitive once drivers became familiar with it. Jeep's off-road pages provided valuable information for off-roading enthusiasts. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and a forward-facing camera and auxiliary switches were available for aftermarket accessories. However, the Wrangler lacked advanced tech features like a digital key and over-the-air updates for vehicle performance.

The 2024 Subaru Outback featured a larger 11.6-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen on all but the base trim, which retained a dual-7-inch-screen system. The Subaru Starlink multimedia platform included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with wireless functionality starting from the Premium trim. The climate controls were managed through the touchscreen, with hard buttons for defoggers and temperature adjustments. Wi-Fi capability was available on all but the base trim, and higher trims featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The base model had a four-speaker system, while the Premium trim had six speakers.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's standard safety features included a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard only on the top 392 model and optional on other trims. Lane-keeping assist was not available. The Wrangler received mixed ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a four-star frontal crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The rollover rating was three out of five stars, and the Wrangler had not been rated for a side crash.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies was standard, including adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, automatic pre-collision braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. Blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on the Onyx Edition. The Touring trim featured a wide-angle camera, digital rearview mirror, and driver-attention monitor. Reverse automatic braking was standard starting with the Onyx trim.