Subaru Outback vs Jeep Renegade

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015 and refreshed in 2019, continued to carry over its design changes into 2021. Inspired by the iconic Wrangler SUV, it featured a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. Inside, the Renegade boasted a modern, functional cabin with an upright center stack, offering trims like Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk. Each trim provided a unique set of features, from push-button start and dual-zone climate control in the Sport to leather upholstery and heated front seats in the Limited.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, with its 9.5 inches of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and unique design features like a matte black hood decal and Anodized Copper accents, stood out from the standard Outback. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, with heated front seats and a black headliner. The Outback Wilderness also featured a robust roof rack system capable of supporting a 700-pound static load, making it ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The Renegade's ride quality was solid, with a composed suspension and impressive maneuverability in tight spaces. The Trailhawk trim, with its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and off-road suspension, was particularly capable on trails.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Wilderness trim offered 9.5 inches of ground clearance, 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and a dual function X-Mode traction system with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes. While the CVT's droning and soft simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience, the Outback Wilderness excelled off-road, handling steep hills and challenging trails with ease.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in use. Its tall, boxy design offered plenty of headroom in both rows, with great legroom in the front seats and adequate space for adults in the rear. The Renegade also featured helpful storage solutions, including small cubbies and trays, and the front passenger seat could fold completely forward for added space.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness offered 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The interior featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, heated front and rear seats, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The rear seat provided generous space for two adults or three kids, with rear air conditioning vents and dual USB charging ports. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on mid-tier trims and standard on higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Kenwood premium audio system was available as an option.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment and climate control system. While it included physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required the use of the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less responsive to natural commands, making Apple CarPlay and Android Auto more user-friendly. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available on other trims, but included a PIN code entry system for keyless access.

For 2021, the Jeep Renegade made several previously optional safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. Adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and front and rear parking sensors were available as options. The Renegade received a four-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness included the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. It also had steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Outback Wilderness earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.