2022 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, maintaining its traditional styling while adding a touch of modern character. The XC90 retained its boxy profile and rectangular grille, but with softer lines and more chrome, it presented a more refined look. The LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights were a distinctive feature that blended seamlessly with the overall design. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most eye-catching, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. Inside, the XC90 embraced Swedish minimalism with high-quality materials and thoughtful design. The interior featured matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery, creating a luxurious yet restrained atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness pushed the boundaries of the traditional station wagon, offering a rugged design that leaned towards an off-road-ready Jeep. With 23 centimetres of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers, the Wilderness was built for adventure. Its unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents added to its distinctive appearance. The interior was dominated by dark grey and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching. While the cabin lacked ventilated seats, it offered heated ones and a robust roof rack system for outdoor enthusiasts. The Outback Wilderness injected personality into the Outback lineup, appealing to those seeking a vehicle with off-road capabilities and a bold design.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all centred around a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 variant added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. All models came with all-wheel drive in Canada. Despite its power, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 engines. The XC90 excelled in luxury, offering a smooth ride with an optional air-suspension system and a quiet cabin. It had a towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms, suitable for moderate loads.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder Boxer engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided ample power for the midsize SUV, which weighed 3,896 pounds and had a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The Wilderness's fuel efficiency was rated at 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 8.9 on the highway. The Outback's CVT, with eight programmed ratios, offered paddle shifters for manual control but lacked the engagement of a dual-clutch transmission. The Wilderness trim featured all-wheel drive, enhanced by its lifted stance, 23 cm ground clearance, and all-terrain tires. It excelled off-road, with improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, skid plating, and a dual-function X-Mode traction system. On pavement, the Wilderness felt quick but was limited by its tires, while off-road, it demonstrated impressive capability.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom across its three rows. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. An optional power sunroof and upright roof profile enhanced the sense of space. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, but the steering wheel was not power-adjustable. Cargo space was limited, with 317 litres behind the third row, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with all seats down. A hands-free power tailgate was standard.

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

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. It included two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and head-up display were optional. The touchscreen was user-friendly, but the text was difficult to read while driving. The wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and only second-row USB-C ports were available.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness had an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated climate control. Physical knobs and buttons were provided for volume, tuning, and temperature control, but most functions required the touchscreen. Voice recognition was limited, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better functionality. The Wilderness lacked a premium audio system, which was available on other Outback trims.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. It had steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. The Wilderness lacked Subaru's DriverFocus technology. The 2021 Outback received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.