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11.6-inch portrait display surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim, offering a fresh look compared to the outdated dashboard of the smaller Crosstrek.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 Onyx Edition XT, with its gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green stitching, added a touch of flair to the otherwise understated design. Externally, the Outback maintained its smooth and plain styling, with gray cladding on the wheel arches and bumpers, emphasizing its lifted wagon identity.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a more traditional SUV styling with a tall hood, broad shoulders, and an upright profile. It distinguished itself from the standard Wagoneer with a black roof, unique hood, front fascia, and grille featuring laser-etched knurling. The Grand Wagoneer boasted a luxurious interior with high-end materials, including Nappa leather upholstery and American Walnut wood trim. It offered advanced convenience features like 24-way power front seats with massage and memory functions, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel, setting it apart as a premium model.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered two engine options. The base model featured a 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This combination struggled with the vehicle's weight, resulting in sluggish performance. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving acceleration and refinement. The Outback's all-wheel-drive system was proactive, providing excellent off-road capability, especially with the X-Mode feature for challenging conditions.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a powerful 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it accelerated from zero to 60 mph in six seconds. The Grand Wagoneer featured a standard Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential, enhancing traction. Its Quadra-Lift air suspension system allowed for adjustable ride height, providing up to 10 inches of ground clearance for off-roading. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best suited for a leisurely driving pace due to its size and weight.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space, with 76 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. Its cabin provided ample headroom and legroom, with excellent outward visibility. The Outback featured practical storage solutions, including large map pockets and bottle holders. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The standout feature was the standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, offering convenience and cost savings.

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 provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than its competitors. With all seats in place, it offered 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 9,850 pounds. It featured a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and ample storage bins. However, its large hood limited forward visibility, partially mitigated by the standard 360-degree camera system.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, while functional, appeared dated with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. It included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with optional navigation. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, provided adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on cameras, limiting its effectiveness in certain conditions.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a comprehensive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. It included a McIntosh audio system, simultaneous Bluetooth pairing, and a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. Second-row passengers had their own touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added more screens. The Uconnect 5 system offered over-the-air updates and Amazon Alexa connectivity. Despite its features, the system's responsiveness was occasionally sluggish.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted a strong and stiff chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. It offered optional blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on higher trims. The Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, as a new model, lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. It included standard safety features like a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, with a hands-free version planned for future release.