2022 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid initially presented a bold and distinctive design that required some getting used to. Its blunt and bulbous nose, combined with black windshield pillars, gave it an aggressive appearance, while the swollen haunches attempted to balance the styling. Despite the 20-inch alloy wheels, the flared quarter panels seemed overwhelming. Over time, the Highlander's design might have appeared more subdued. The interior offered a two-tone look with soft leather for the Limited and Platinum trims, though the instrument-panel shroud felt cheap. The asymmetrical dashboard housed a 12.3-inch screen, which suffered from reflections on sunny days, and the mix of illumination colours made the gauges appear busy.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, on the other hand, pushed the boundaries of the traditional station wagon, resembling more of a Jeep with its 23 cm ground clearance and aggressive all-terrain tires. Its unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents set it apart, while the matte black hood decal reduced glare. The interior featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The cabin included Anodized Copper stitching, brushed aluminum pedals, and all-weather floor mats. The Outback Wilderness offered a robust roof rack capable of supporting a 700-pound static load, making it ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid transitioned from a V6 engine to a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, achieving a combined fuel efficiency of 6.7 L/100 km. With a total output of 243 hp, it was less powerful than its predecessor's 306 hp. The hybrid system used an "E-CVT" to mimic an automatic transmission. While the Highlander Hybrid improved in efficiency, it sacrificed driving enjoyment. The power was adequate for climbing hills and reaching freeway speeds, but the engine sounded strained during acceleration. The steering felt lifeless, and the regenerative brakes, though improved, couldn't compensate for the SUV's body movement. On smooth roads, it handled well, but on uneven terrain, it became a sloppy mess. The electric motor torque and EV Mode were its strengths, but overall, it wasn't enjoyable to drive.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. It had a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs and achieved 11.0 L/100 km on a mountainous route. The CVT, with eight programmed ratios, detracted from the driving experience with its droning and mushy simulated gear changes. The Outback Wilderness excelled off-road, thanks to its 23 cm ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and improved approach and departure angles. The dual function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control enhanced its off-road capabilities. On pavement, it felt quick but was limited by its tires. Off-road, it proved capable on challenging trails, climbing steep hills and navigating narrow sections with ease.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum offered roomy accommodations for the driver and front passenger, with 10-way power seat adjustment for the driver. The second-row bench seat increased seating capacity to eight but felt narrow for three adults. The third-row seat was uncomfortable, with limited legroom and headroom. Cargo space measured 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,387 litres with seats folded. Storage was adequate but not as generous as the previous generation, and the wireless smartphone charger blocked access to the storage area.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but uncomfortable in hot weather. The driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment, while the front passenger had 4-way manual adjustment. Rear seat head and legroom were generous, with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. Cargo space measured 920 litres behind the rear seat, expanding to 2,144 litres with seats folded. The Outback Wilderness had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Platinum trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, an 11-speaker JBL audio system, and a navigation system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and shortcut buttons. The JBL sound system, however, sounded boomy and muddy. Driver Easy Speak technology projected the driver's voice through the speakers, and a video rearview mirror provided an unobstructed view.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness had an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated climate control. While it had physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less responsive to natural commands, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium audio system, which was surprising given its target demographic.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. It added intersection support and emergency steering assistance. The adaptive cruise control felt uneven, and the lane-centring assistance was overly sensitive. The Highlander received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness included the EyeSight suite of safety features, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. It had steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. The EyeSight technology was effective and unobtrusive. The Outback Wilderness lacked Subaru's DriverFocus distraction mitigation technology. The standard Outback received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.