2022 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in the A-Spec trim, was a visually appealing SUV. Its design changes were subtle yet effective, conveying a sense of sportiness without overpromising on performance. Acura avoided the rugged off-road look, focusing instead on a sleek design suitable for daily driving and road trips. The A-Spec trim sat in the middle of the RDX's trim hierarchy, with a starting price of $50,305, and offered a sporty interior with features like front sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting. However, the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were difficult to read, except at night.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness pushed the boundaries of the traditional station wagon, offering a more rugged appearance with 23 centimetres of ground clearance and aggressive all-terrain tires. Its unique design elements included a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, and a matte black hood decal. The interior featured dark gray StarTex water-repellant upholstery, which was practical but not ideal for hot weather. The Outback Wilderness was positioned as the entry point into the turbocharged Outback family, priced at $41,995, and offered a robust roof rack for outdoor adventures.

The 2021 Acura RDX was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the torque-vectoring SH-AWD system, which improved handling by delivering up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels. The RDX offered various driving modes, including Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, which adjusted powertrain response and steering effort. The A-Spec trim came with exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels and performance all-season tires, enhancing its sporty appeal. However, the lack of adaptive dampers and rev-matching in Sport modes were noted drawbacks.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. It had a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs and offered commendable fuel efficiency, averaging 11.0 L/100 km on a mountainous route. The Outback's CVT, while functional, lacked the engagement of a dual-clutch transmission. The Wilderness trim featured all-wheel drive, 23 cm of ground clearance, and all-terrain tires, making it capable off-road. Its redesigned bumpers improved approach and departure angles, and the dual function X-Mode traction system enhanced its off-road prowess.

The 2021 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered impressive passenger and cargo space. The front seats were comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment and heating as standard. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised due to the need for a low and flat cargo floor. The RDX provided 835 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,668 litres with the seats folded. While storage space could be improved, the trunk was accommodating, with additional storage compartments under the cargo floor.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but not ideal for hot weather. The front seats offered 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 4-way manual adjustment for the passenger. Rear-seat space was generous, with ample head and legroom, rear air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 920 litres behind the rear seat and 2,144 litres with the seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack, supporting a 700-pound static load for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the centre console instead of a touchscreen. While it mirrored the screen and was an improvement over Lexus's approach, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, which delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated climate control. While it had physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was not as intuitive as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Surprisingly, the Outback Wilderness did not include the premium Harman Kardon audio system available in other trims.

The 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with a suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims. The RDX earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. It also had steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. The Outback Wilderness's EyeSight technology was effective and unobtrusive. While crash-test results for the 2022 model were unavailable, the 2021 Outback received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.