2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2023 Subaru Outback

For 2023, Subaru gave the Outback a facelift that resulted in a more aggressive appearance. Features included a new front end with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper. Dark gray vertical cladding simulated large air intakes at each corner, while a jutting simulated skid plate, oversized fog light housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim lent a rugged look inspired by the Wilderness model. Whether this styling was appealing depended on individual taste, but choosing a dark paint color could hide some of the design's excesses. The Onyx Edition, with black wheels and trim, suited this new style well and became more accessible with a non-turbo powertrain priced at $33,495—a $5,100 savings over the turbocharged version.

On the other hand, the Range Rover Sport was described as “modernist” and “reductive,” signifying a clean and simple design, unlike the flashy preferences of some luxury SUV buyers. With a Firenze Red paint color and multi-spoke 23-inch wheels, there were limited options to make it stand out. However, an SVR model with a loud twin-turbocharged V8 was expected in the future. The test model featured subdued Eiger Gray paint with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack. Inside, Deep Garnet over Ebony upholstery and shiny black trim offered understated luxury.

Subaru's horizontally opposed engines, also known as boxer engines, helped lower the center of gravity for improved handling. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. However, it struggled with acceleration, especially for passing and climbing hills. Subaru claimed a 3,500-pound towing capacity, but the lack of power could be a concern. The vehicle averaged 25.6 mpg, lower than the EPA's estimated 28 mpg, partly due to the need for frequent acceleration. The turbocharged 2.4-liter engine in the XT models offered 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing better performance but less efficient fuel consumption at 23-25 mpg depending on the trim. Both engines mated to a CVT designed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission and featured standard AWD.

Land Rover offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, tuned differently for the SE and SE Dynamic models. The SE Dynamic produced 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, while the SE P360 delivered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid version in the Autobiography P440e had 434 hp and a 51-mile electric driving range. Although a 523-hp twin-turbo V8 was briefly available, it was expected to return in a future SVR model. The inline-six engine delivered a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 5.4 seconds and a 7,716-pound towing capacity. The P400 drivetrain achieved 21 mpg combined, slightly better than expected. The SUV featured adaptive damping air suspension, various driving aids, and could navigate varied terrain with ease, though it was not as agile as sport-tuned competitors from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

The Subaru Outback was designed with utility in mind. The Touring trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and a manually-adjustable thigh support bolster. Rear outboard seats were also heated. The Outback's cabin was comfortable for long drives, and wind noise was the only consistent complaint. It offered 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Access to the roof rack was facilitated by flat, textured plastic door sills.

The Range Rover Sport maintained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall, airy feel. The test model included Windsor leather, 20-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and available massage features. The rear seats had more legroom than before but were still tight for taller passengers, and the door openings made entry and exit challenging. The cargo capacity was 31.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 53 cubic feet with the seats folded, slightly less than the Outback. The SUV also featured controls to lower the air suspension for easier loading.

Subaru equipped most 2023 Outback models with an 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Base trim had a 7-inch screen with wired connectivity. Premium audio and navigation were available on higher trims. Despite improvements, the Starlink system had poor voice recognition and often required smartphone platforms for functionality.

Land Rover's Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. While rich in features, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and had poor voice recognition. The Meridian audio systems and next-generation Active Noise Cancellation offered impressive sound quality, and a wireless charging pad was conveniently located under the infotainment screen.

Subaru prioritized safety with new EyeSight cameras and an electronic brake booster. The 2023 Outback earned top safety marks from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact test. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a new Automatic Emergency Steering system. Despite accurate systems, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist felt artificial, and the rear automatic braking system was not suitable for all driveways.

Land Rover equipped the Range Rover Sport with advanced driving assistance systems such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included adaptive cruise control, steering assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Although the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond and the steering assist was untrustworthy on curves, the Range Rover Sport performed well with parking and off-road assistance technologies.