Subaru Outback vs Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was a striking presence on the road, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, yet distinguishing itself with a standard black roof and unique hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly, featuring laser-etched knurling in the slots, and the wheel center caps were protected by acrylic glass. The Grand Wagoneer boasted a new body-on-frame architecture, allowing for independent suspension and weight-saving aluminum and composite materials. Inside, it shared design elements with the Wagoneer but elevated the experience with 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and luxurious wood trim. The interior was further enhanced by seat controls placed high on the doors and a prominent "Grand Wagoneer" badge on the dashboard.

The 2023 Subaru Outback underwent a facelift, presenting a more aggressive appearance with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented the bold cladding. The Outback offered six trim levels, with the Onyx Edition becoming more accessible due to its availability with the base powertrain. The Touring trim, with its Cosmic Blue paint and Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, provided a cohesive and upscale interior. Despite some hard plastic elements, the interior maintained a quality feel, and the Outback's practicality was evident in its thoughtful design features like the flat door sills and robust roof rack.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, propelled the vehicle from zero to 60 mph in six seconds. The Grand Wagoneer featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system. With a maximum ground clearance of 10 inches, it could tackle various terrains, although its size limited its off-road capabilities. The Grand Wagoneer excelled in providing a quiet cabin and a smooth ride, but its handling felt ungainly at higher speeds.

The 2023 Subaru Outback utilized a flat-four engine design, with the standard engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. While the CVT made good use of the power at lower speeds, the Outback struggled with passing and climbing. The turbocharged XT models offered 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing a more responsive driving experience. The Outback's AWD system and X-Mode traction system enhanced its off-road capabilities, and it handled various terrains with ease. However, the standard engine's performance and fuel economy were underwhelming, making the turbocharged option more appealing for those seeking better acceleration and power.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven or eight, with more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than its competitors. It provided 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 94.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins. However, forward visibility was somewhat limited by the hood design.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a robust roof rack and flat door sills. The Touring trim offered a comfortable interior with power-adjustable seats, premium Nappa leather, and heated front and rear seats. The Outback provided 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 75.6 cubic feet with the back seat folded. Its design allowed for easy entry and exit, and the cargo area accommodated full-size suitcases. While practical storage space could be improved, the Outback's thoughtful design made it a versatile choice for various needs.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and offered a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. Second-row passengers had their own touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system was available. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, while comprehensive, was occasionally slow to respond, and the instrument cluster graphics were plain.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, came with an 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and access to Starlink connected services. The system's usability improved for 2023, but the graphics and voice recognition system were lacking. Additional technologies included a digital rearview mirror and a front-view camera, although a surround-view camera was not available.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It came with standard safety features like a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor and night vision. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, with a hands-free version planned for the future.

The 2023 Subaru Outback earned top safety marks from the IIHS, thanks to its EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered additional features like Automatic Emergency Steering and a Wide-Angle Mono Camera for better pedestrian detection. While the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems were effective, they felt artificial in operation. The rear automatic braking system had limitations in certain situations.