2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. Its interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a modern 11.6-inch portrait display surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim, offering a fresh look compared to the outdated dashboard of the smaller Crosstrek. The Outback's quality was evident in its substantial window switches, dash padding, and surface materials, with higher trims offering a luxury car impression through two-tone leather upholstery. The Outdoor XT trim added a unique touch with water-resistant synthetic upholstery and lime green contrast stitching. Externally, the Outback maintained a smooth and plain styling with high gray cladding for protection, adaptive LED headlights, and a new brown paint option. Its appearance remained largely unchanged, emphasizing its identity as a lifted wagon, offering an alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, as the first vehicle of the new Ioniq lineup, presented a polished exterior with minimal character lines, embodying a concept car-like design through its Parametric Pixel theme. This design was evident in the extensive use of pixelated lighting elements across the vehicle, creating a unique and futuristic look. The Ioniq 5's aerodynamic alloy wheels and silver-contrast plastic bits added to its distinctive appearance. Inside, the Ioniq 5 offered a "Living Space" design theme, providing a mellow and comfortable environment with features like a "Relaxation" mode for the driver's seat. The interior utilized sustainable materials, including recycled fibres and bio-materials, enhancing its eco-friendly appeal. Despite its low-key interior design, the Ioniq 5 maintained the Parametric Pixel theme in subtle details, offering a blend of futuristic styling and comfort.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a 2.5-litre boxer flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This powertrain struggled with the vehicle's weight, especially when loaded, resulting in slow and noisy performance. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving performance and refinement. The Outback's fuel efficiency varied, with the turbo XT consuming slightly more fuel than the base engine. Despite its squishy handling and imprecise steering, the Outback excelled as a long-distance cruiser, offering comfort and tranquility. Its electronically-variable all-wheel drive (AWD) system provided superior off-road capability, with features like X-Mode and additional driving modes for challenging conditions.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered two drive configurations, two trims, and three powertrains in Canada. The base model featured a single 125-kW rear-mounted electric motor with 168 horsepower and a range of 354 kilometres. The Preferred long-range variant had a larger 168-kW rear motor producing 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with a range of 488 kilometres. The AWD option included a dual-motor system with a total power output of 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, offering a range of 414 kilometres. The Ioniq 5's performance was middle-of-the-road for a midsize crossover, with four drive modes, including Sport mode for added excitement. The vehicle's regenerative braking system, adjustable via paddle shifters, added an engaging element to the driving experience. The Ioniq 5's quiet cabin, aided by noise-reducing features, provided a serene driving environment.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive ground clearance, allowing it to traverse challenging terrains without the drawbacks of larger vehicles. Its interior offered ample space, with 2,144 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, free of intrusive elements. The Outback provided excellent headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seats. Its superb outward visibility was complemented by blind-spot radar and parking sensors. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and a handy front centre console. However, some features like push-button start and rear console climate vents were not standard on lower trims. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offered a spacious interior with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade. Its total interior volume of 3,786 litres exceeded competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The Ioniq 5 prioritized passenger comfort over cargo space, aligning with its "Living Space" theme. The interior featured soft touch points and a moveable centre console, providing flexibility and convenience. The flat floor and retro front bench seat design allowed easy access from either front door. The leatherette seats offered comfort and support, catering to various driver sizes. The Ioniq 5's interior design emphasized usability and comfort, creating a relaxing environment for occupants.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. Despite this, it offered modern features like adaptive cruise control, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The optional navigation system was more visually appealing. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on cameras, affecting its performance in certain conditions.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured advanced technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80 percent battery capacity in 18 minutes, and could charge other devices. The Ioniq 5's multimedia features included a redesigned Blue Link app, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, digital key, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating for improved visibility.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered a strong and stiff chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. It included advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking on higher trims. The Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, demonstrating its strong safety credentials.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. It included features like lane keeping assist, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision avoidance. The Ioniq 5 also featured Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The vehicle's head-up display with augmented reality overlays offered additional information, though it could be distracting. While official safety ratings were not yet available, Hyundai's strong safety record suggested high expectations for the Ioniq 5.