2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Subaru Outback retained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models, yet offered a fresher interior compared to its smaller sibling, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. The interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a bright and sharp 11.6-inch portrait display, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The seats, available in two-tone leather upholstery on higher trims, provided a touch of luxury, while the Outdoor XT trim offered durable, water-resistant upholstery with vibrant lime green stitching. Externally, the Outback maintained its smooth and plain styling, with high gray cladding on its wheel arches and bumpers, and a few chrome accents. The 2021 model introduced a new brown paint option and standard adaptive LED headlights, while continuing to present itself as a lifted wagon, offering a unique alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness pushed the boundaries of the Outback's traditional station wagon image, offering a more rugged and adventurous design. It featured increased ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and improved approach and departure angles, thanks to restyled bumpers. The Wilderness stood out with its unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The interior also included Anodized Copper stitching, brushed aluminum pedals, and all-weather floor mats. The Wilderness model was designed to inject personality into the Outback's styling, appealing to those seeking a more adventurous vehicle.

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 fully loaded, due to its weight and the limitations of the continuously variable transmission (CVT). The XT trims offered a more powerful 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-four engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving performance and refinement. The turbocharged engine provided a better driving experience, although it slightly reduced fuel efficiency compared to the base engine. The Outback's handling was designed for comfort and long-distance cruising, with its high ground clearance and electronically-variable AWD system enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness shared the same turbocharged 2.4-litre engine as the XT models, offering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided ample power for the Wilderness's increased weight and off-road capabilities. The Wilderness model featured a CVT with eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters, although the transmission's droning and simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The Wilderness excelled off-road, with its increased ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and improved approach and departure angles. The dual function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control further enhanced its off-road prowess. On pavement, the Wilderness felt quick but was limited by its tires, making it more suitable for off-road adventures.

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, providing ample storage without intrusive wheel arches. The Outback's seats were comfortable and supportive, with excellent headroom and legroom in all seating positions. Visibility was superb, thanks to thin pillars and large windows. The interior featured convenient storage options, including large map pockets and bottle holders. 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, allowing for easy installation of a roof rack.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated, and the driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment. The rear seats provided generous head and legroom, with rear air conditioning vents and dual USB charging ports. The cargo area offered 920 litres of space with the rear seats up and 2,144 litres with them folded. The Wilderness model included a more robust roof rack, capable of supporting a 700-pound static load, making it suitable for rooftop camping. The interior was designed for practicality and adventure, with waterproof materials and LED lighting in the cargo area.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, although its graphics and interface felt outdated. The system included standard features like SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight was standard on all trims, providing adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on cameras, which could be less effective in certain conditions.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness also featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with physical knobs for volume and tuning. The system required the use of the touchscreen for most functions, and the voice recognition technology was not as responsive as desired. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better voice assistant functionality. The Wilderness model did not include a premium audio system, which was available on higher trims. Subaru EyeSight was standard, providing a comprehensive suite of safety features, although the Wilderness model lacked the DriverFocus distraction mitigation technology.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a strong and stiff chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available from the Touring trim, and a driver-attention monitor was included on the Premier trims. The Outback received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, earning a "Top Safety Pick+" and a five-star overall rating, respectively.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness prioritized the effectiveness of the EyeSight suite of safety features, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness model also featured steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. However, it did not include the DriverFocus technology available on higher trims. The Wilderness model's crash-test results were not available, but the standard Outback received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.