2023 Jeep Wrangler vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Subaru Outback had a facelift that imparted a more aggressive appearance. This makeover included redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding resembling large air intakes at each corner. Fog lights were nestled within oversized housings, and the jutting simulated skid plate added to the robust look. Asymmetrical wheel arch trims were reminiscent of the Wilderness model. Preferences on the new design were subjective; dark paint colors or the Onyx Edition with black wheels and trim helped to temper the bold cladding.

The Onyx Edition was among six trims for the Outback and was more accessible in 2023, thanks to its availability with the base powertrain. This brought down the starting price of the non-turbo powertrain to $33,495, a significant reduction of $5,100 from the turbocharged XT version. Standard Outbacks with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine were available in Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $28,395 to $39,845, excluding a $1,225 destination charge. The turbocharged XT came in Wilderness, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trim levels, priced between $38,445 and $42,295, plus the destination charge. Every Outback model featured standard all-wheel drive (AWD).

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler maintained its boxy, rugged design that emphasized a take-no-prisoners aesthetic. Available in a two-door Wrangler or the four-door Wrangler Unlimited, the doors were removable for an open-air experience. The optional Dual-Door Group featured half doors for better visibility without compromising safety. The foldable windshield added another adventurous element.

Jeep offered various top options, including a complicated but flexible soft top and an easier-to-remove hard top. The Wrangler’s design was highlighted by wide fenders, an iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and old-school exterior hood latches, with the American flag proudly displayed on the front fenders. The rear featured a tailgate that swung open and rear glass that lifted, making cargo access easier. Unique paint options like Reign purple and Earl gray gave the Wrangler a distinct personality.

The 2023 Subaru Outback employed horizontally opposed engines, commonly known as boxer engines. This design, prevalent in the Outback, helped lower the vehicle’s center of gravity, improving handling and producing a familiar grumble loved by Subaru enthusiasts. However, the 3,781-pound test vehicle with the standard 182-horsepower engine struggled with sufficient power. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) functioned well at lower speeds but lacked passing and climbing potency. Despite Subaru’s claims of a 3,500-pound towing capacity, heavier loads seemed impractical.

Fuel efficiency was another concern. While the EPA rated the Outback at 28 mpg combined, real-world testing yielded 25.6 mpg. The turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine in the XT offered 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly enhancing performance but with lower fuel economy—down to 23-25 mpg, depending on the model. Both engines paired with a CVT designed to mimic an eight-speed automatic, complete with paddle shifters, and all models featured a standard AWD system.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler offered several engine options tailored to various off-roading needs. The standard V6 delivered 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, while a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder provided 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were available with either an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. For torque enthusiasts, the 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V6 offered 260 hp and a remarkable 442 lb-ft of torque. The top-end Wrangler Rubicon 392 came with a 6.4-liter V8 producing 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, bolting from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

The Wrangler 4xe, a plug-in hybrid model with electric motors and a 17.3 kWh battery pack, offered an all-electric range of 21 miles. Different models featured various transfer cases for off-road capabilities, with the Selec-Trac providing a 2.72 low range and the Rock-Trac transfer case in the Rubicon offering a 4:1 low range. Steering and brakes were notable concerns, with the Wrangler 392 lacking appropriate brake upgrades for its power and vague steering. However, other Wrangler trims exhibited adequate brake performance and slightly better steering feel.

The 2023 Subaru Outback focused on utility without sacrificing comfort. The Touring model, in particular, featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with manual thigh support, an eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel, all wrapped in premium Nappa leather. Rear outboard seats were also heated, ensuring a cozy ride in colder climates.

The Outback excelled in passenger comfort, offering ample legroom and device-charging options. It also featured 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 75.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, suitable for large suitcases or adventure gear. The roof rack and flat, textured plastic door sills added functionality, allowing for easy access to roof-mounted storage.

Conversely, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler provided decent front-seat comfort but fell short in rear-seat accessibility and space. The rear doors were small, making entry and exit challenging. The Wrangler’s storage options for small items were limited, with a flat dash and tiny glove box and center consoles. However, it offered a cargo capacity of 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, just slightly less than the Outback but still significant for adventure gear.

The Wrangler’s versatile top options, from the removable hard top to the easy-to-use Sky One-Touch power soft top, added to its appeal. The vehicle also featured ample charging points, including USB-A and USB-C ports and various 12-volt outlets.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, came with an 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen system. This new version was reportedly more user-friendly, although critics were not fans of the colorful icon-heavy interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available starting from the Premium trim, reducing clutter and offering a better user experience than Subaru’s native voice-recognition system, which proved ineffective.

Additional tech features included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera, although a surround-view camera was absent. The base trim offered a simpler 7-inch system with wired connectivity options.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler equipped a standard 7-inch touchscreen running Uconnect, with the option to upgrade to an 8.4-inch screen. This system, devoid of hard buttons, seemed complicated initially but was generally intuitive. Jeep’s off-road pages provided useful data, from power distribution to GPS coordinates. Like the Outback, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard and functional. The Wrangler also offered a forward-facing camera and four auxiliary switches for additional functionality.

The 2023 Subaru Outback excelled in safety, thanks to its updated EyeSight cameras and electronic brake booster. It earned top IIHS ratings, including in the new side-impact crash test. EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist as standard. Higher trims added more advanced features like blind-spot monitoring and an Automatic Emergency Steering system. However, the rear automatic braking system had compatibility issues with certain driveways, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering systems felt intrusive.

Jeep Wrangler’s safety features lagged. Standard equipment was sparse, limited to a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard only on the 392 model. The IIHS ratings were mixed, with some crashworthiness aspects labeled as Good and others as Marginal, and the NHTSA rated it 4 out of 5 stars for frontal crashes but lower for rollover safety.