2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2021 Subaru Outback

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11.6-inch portrait display surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim, offering a fresh look compared to the outdated dashboard of the smaller Crosstrek.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 rugged touch with water-resistant synthetic upholstery and lime green contrast stitching. Externally, the Outback maintained a smooth and plain styling with high gray cladding on its wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, emphasizing its lifted wagon design. The 2021 model introduced a new brown paint option and standard adaptive LED headlights, reinforcing its appeal as a practical alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, presenting traditional SUV styling with a tall hood, broad shoulders, and an upright profile. It distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille featuring laser-etched knurling. The Grand Wagoneer boasted a new body-on-frame architecture with independent suspension and weight-saving aluminum and composite materials. Inside, it offered high-end features like 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, standard heated seats, and Nappa leather upholstery, with options for higher-grade materials. The interior also featured seat controls on the doors and a "Grand Wagoneer" dashboard inscription. The Grand Wagoneer provided a luxurious and spacious cabin, setting it apart from its standard counterpart.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was characterized by its two engine options. The base model featured a 2.5-litre Subaru boxer flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. However, this engine struggled to move the vehicle efficiently, especially when loaded with passengers and cargo, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trims offered a significant upgrade with a 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-four engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm. This engine provided a smoother and quieter ride, with improved capability to keep up with traffic. Despite the turbo XT's slightly lower fuel efficiency, its performance gains justified the additional cost. The Outback's handling was forgiving, with a focus on ride comfort and off-road capability, thanks to its high ground clearance and electronically-variable AWD system. The X-Mode feature further enhanced its off-road prowess, making the Outback a reliable choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowed the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds, impressive for its 2,900-kilogram weight. The Grand Wagoneer featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering multiple drive modes for various terrains. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system provided adjustable ride height, enhancing off-road capability and highway efficiency. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, the Grand Wagoneer could tackle challenging terrains, although its size limited its off-road agility. The vehicle excelled in providing a quiet and comfortable ride, but its handling at higher speeds felt ungainly. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best suited for a leisurely driving pace.

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. Its wide and flat cargo area, along with ample headroom and legroom, ensured comfort for passengers. The Outback's design prioritized visibility, with thin pillars and extensive glass, supplemented by blind-spot radar and parking sensors. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and convenient console pockets. 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 integrated roof rails and crossbars, providing easy installation for roof racks. The 11.6-inch touchscreen, while complicating climate controls, offered a responsive interface for vehicle settings and stereo presets.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer accommodated seven passengers with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It offered more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. With 775 litres of cargo space with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed, the Grand Wagoneer provided ample storage. Its maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms was slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its additional weight. The Grand Wagoneer featured a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins. However, its hood design limited forward visibility, partially mitigated by the standard 360-degree camera system.

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/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, its reliance on cameras without radar limited its functionality in certain conditions.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a comprehensive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. Second-row passengers had their own touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added more screens. The Grand Wagoneer utilized the Uconnect 5 system, offering an Android-based operating system and over-the-air updates. While the screen response was occasionally slow, the head-up display provided clear information.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking were available on higher trims. The Outback earned a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with some variations in specific crash test scores.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, as a new model, lacked crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA. It included standard safety features like a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included intersection collision assist, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. The Active Lane Management System offered semi-automated driving, with plans for a hands-free version in the future.