2021 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Kia Telluride was available in four trim levels in Canada, all equipped with standard all-wheel drive (AWD): EX, SX, SX Limited, and SX Limited Nightsky Edition. The base pricing ranged from $46,195 to $55,695, excluding destination charges of $1,895. The Telluride EX was noted for its value, but many opted for the SX Limited trim, which offered a luxurious feel with features like premium stitched Nappa leather, a simulated suede headliner, a head-up display (HUD), and heated and ventilated front- and second-row seats. The SX Limited Nightsky Edition, new for 2021, added gloss black 20-inch aluminum wheels and a unique grille insert, giving the Telluride a popular blacked-out look. The Telluride's styling was praised for its contemporary design and quality execution, with only minor criticisms regarding the interior's glossy hard plastic and limited colour options.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stood out with its increased ground clearance of 23 centimetres, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers, making it resemble a Jeep more than a traditional station wagon. Design features like a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents added to its rugged appeal. The interior featured dark gray StarTex water-repellant upholstery, though it lacked ventilated seats, which would have been beneficial in hot weather. The Outback Wilderness was positioned as an entry point into the turbocharged Outback family, with pricing at $41,995 plus a destination charge of $1,875. Its modifications injected personality into the Outback's styling, appealing to those seeking a more adventurous vehicle.

The 2021 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured Kia’s Drive Mode Select technology, offering Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart driving modes. The Telluride's AWD system included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction, complemented by 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance. The Telluride's suspension tuning minimized head-toss, providing a smooth ride even on uneven surfaces. It averaged 11.5 L/100 km in combined driving, slightly above the expected 11.3 L/100 km.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It had a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The Wilderness averaged 11.0 L/100 km on a mountainous route, with fuel efficiency rated at 10.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.9 on the highway. The Outback's CVT, with eight programmed ratios, was less satisfying than a dual-clutch automatic transmission would have been. The Wilderness trim featured a taller stance, 23 cm of ground clearance, and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road capabilities. It also included a dual function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control, making it the most capable Outback for challenging terrain.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The front seats offered heating and ventilation, while the second-row captain’s chairs added heating and ventilation in Limited grades. The Telluride's third-row seat was usable for adults, with easy access via a button that tilted and slid the second-row seat. The SUV provided ample storage, including a smartphone bin and large cupholders. The smart hands-free power liftgate revealed 601 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,455 litres with seats folded.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment, while the rear seat provided generous head and legroom. The cargo area measured 920 litres, expanding to 2,144 litres with the rear seat folded. The Outback included a waterproof cargo tray and robust roof rack, supporting a 700-pound static load for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It allowed pairing of two smartphones via Bluetooth and included wireless smartphone charging. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice-recognition system needed improvement. The SX trim featured a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, while Limited grades added a head-up display with blind-spot notifications.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness had an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated climate control. While it included physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required touchscreen use. The voice recognition technology was less responsive to natural commands, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium audio system, which was available in other Outback trims.

The 2021 Kia Telluride included eight standard safety features, such as blind-spot warning, lane-maintenance technology, forward-collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic alert. SX trim added front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, despite four-star frontal-impact results.

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, qualifying as a Level 2 ADAS. The 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.