2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Subaru Outback retained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older Subaru models, yet with a fresher interior than its smaller sibling, the Crosstrek. The Outback's interior, especially in higher trims, offered a sense of luxury with two-tone leather upholstery and contrast stitching. The Outdoor XT trim featured durable, water-resistant upholstery with vibrant lime green stitching, adding a touch of flair. Externally, the Outback maintained its smooth and plain styling, with high gray cladding for protection and a few chrome accents. The 2021 model introduced adaptive LED headlights as standard and a new brown paint option, but overall, it remained a lifted wagon, offering a unique alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee presented a fresh design while adhering to Jeep's traditional styling cues. It was a two-row version of the previous year's Grand Cherokee L, offering a sportier look. The Grand Cherokee's design was influenced by the classic 1963 Wagoneer, featuring a forward-leaning grille, lowered beltline, and tapered roof pillars. Inside, the Grand Cherokee mirrored the Grand Cherokee L, with a focus on quality and comfort. The Summit Reserve trim exuded luxury with premium leather seats, a high-end audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. Despite some reflective issues with gloss black controls, the Grand Cherokee's interior was generally well-received, offering a range of trims to suit different preferences.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was hindered by its base 2.5-litre engine, which produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. This engine struggled with the Outback's weight, especially when loaded, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving performance and refinement. The Outback's handling was more about comfort than agility, with its high ground clearance and long-travel springs providing a smooth ride over rough terrain. Subaru's AWD system was proactive, always driving all four wheels and offering excellent off-road capability with features like X-Mode and additional driving modes in the Outdoor trim.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a choice between a 3.6-litre V6 engine with 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, and a 5.7-litre V8 engine with 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The V6 provided good acceleration and efficiency, while the V8 offered more power and a thrilling sound. The Grand Cherokee's 4WD systems varied by trim, with Quadra-Trac I for light off-roading, Quadra-Trac II for more challenging terrain, and Quadra-Drive II for serious off-roading. The Trailhawk trim excelled off-road with features like an electronic locking rear differential, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Selec-Terrain driving modes. On-road, the Grand Cherokee felt nimble and athletic, with excellent ride quality, especially without the Quadra-Lift suspension.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior 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, with ample headroom and legroom for passengers. Visibility was excellent, aided by thin pillars and large windows. Storage options were plentiful, with large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front console. However, some features like push-button start and rear 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided comfort for the driver and front passenger, with heated seats and a heated steering wheel standard in Canada. Higher trims added features like ventilated seats and front seat massagers. Visibility was improved, especially for off-roading, and the available panoramic sunroof added an airy feel. Rear-seat room was tight for taller passengers, and the two-row Grand Cherokee offered 1,067 litres of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 2,004 litres with the seats folded. The Grand Cherokee L offered more space, but the two-row model was still accommodating for most needs.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system felt outdated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered modern features like adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EyeSight system was standard, providing adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward emergency braking. The large 11.6-inch touchscreen was more cohesive than the base model's dual-screen setup, despite some usability issues with climate controls.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, featuring a head-up display, Night Vision system, and multiple touchscreens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system offered improved responsiveness and over-the-air updates. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard, with options for a high-end audio system and rear-seat entertainment. The Grand Cherokee's technology suite was comprehensive, with a configurable Home display and effective voice recognition.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a strong and stiff chassis, with standard airbags and driver assist technologies. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard from the Touring trim, with additional features on higher trims. The Outback earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, demonstrating its strong crash protection and advanced safety features.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was equipped with a robust suite of advanced driver assistance systems, built on a structure of aluminum and high-strength steel. Standard features included blind spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and full-speed forward collision warning. The new Active Driving Assist system offered Level 2 semi-autonomous driving, with plans for a hands-free version in the future. While crash-test results were pending, the Grand Cherokee's safety features were promising.