2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a testament to timeless design, maintaining its appeal over a decade after its debut. It combined rugged utility with upscale sophistication, featuring big wheels under flared fenders, creating a balanced automotive art piece. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed significantly to its success, as it defied easy categorization, fitting into mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV categories. The model lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk models. The Summit trim, with its 5.7-litre V8 engine and premium interior, exemplified luxury, though the interior showed signs of aging with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness pushed the boundaries of the traditional station wagon, offering a higher stance and rugged features akin to a Jeep. It boasted 23 cm of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and improved approach and departure angles. The Wilderness stood out with unique design elements like a matte black hood decal and Anodized Copper accents. Inside, the cabin featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but lacked ventilated seats. The Outback Wilderness provided ample rear seat space and a robust roof rack for rooftop camping. Its modifications injected personality into the Outback's styling, appealing to those seeking adventure.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, capable of towing up to 2,818 kg. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 offered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kg. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology, though fuel efficiency was a concern, with a combined rating of 14.1 L/100 km. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced its off-road capabilities, while its tight turning radius and effective brakes made it versatile in various driving conditions.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Its fuel efficiency was rated at 10.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.9 on the highway. The Outback's CVT, while functional, lacked the engagement of a dual-clutch transmission. The Wilderness trim offered 23 cm of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and improved approach and departure angles, making it the most capable Outback. Its dual function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control enhanced its off-road prowess, though on-road handling was limited by its tires.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted leather and wood accents, though its design was aging. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, while the rear seat provided comfort but limited legroom. The cargo area offered 1,028 litres of space, expandable to 1,934 litres with the rear seats folded. However, interior storage was limited, and the optional rear-seat entertainment system reduced console space.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but lacked ventilation. The front seats offered 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 4-way manual adjustment for the passenger. The rear seat provided generous space and heating, though StarTex caused discomfort in hot weather. The cargo area offered 920 litres of space, expandable to 2,144 litres with the rear seats folded. The Outback's robust roof rack supported rooftop camping, enhancing its adventure-ready appeal.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition worked well, and the Summit trim included a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. However, the Grand Cherokee was considered "tech lite," with essential features but lacking advanced digital capabilities.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated climate control. While physical knobs and buttons were provided for basic functions, the system's voice recognition required specific prompts. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium audio system, which was available in other trims.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but its IIHS ratings were concerning, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in certain crash tests. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness trim also included steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. While crash-test results for the Wilderness were unavailable, the standard Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.