2022 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was built on a new platform, offering North American buyers a long-wheelbase model with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Its front design featured Hyundai's new vehicle face, with a parametric grille that cleverly concealed LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. When lit, these lights formed a distinctive shape reminiscent of the Aztec Spirit Bird's wings. The Tucson's side profile borrowed design elements from the Hyundai Elantra, including a silver D-pillar that created a floating roof effect. At the rear, the Tucson sported toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs, contributing to its standout appearance among compact SUVs.

The Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels, depending on the trim level, with four different wheel designs available. High-end models boasted premium fascias, skid plates, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof. Standard features included roof rails, body-colour side-mirror housing, solar glass, and acoustic laminated glass. The interior was well-appointed, with stain- and odour-resistant cloth seats, sport combination seats in the N-Line, and leather-trimmed seats in higher trims. The dashboard featured horizontal lines and an uncluttered aesthetic, enhancing the sense of spaciousness.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stood out with its higher stance, offering 23 centimetres of ground clearance, a centimetre more than standard Outbacks. It featured aggressive all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection trim, and improved approach and departure angles due to restyled bumpers. The Wilderness also sported a unique grille design, black 17-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents, and a matte black hood decal. Its roof rack and rail system supported a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping, and Geyser Blue was an exclusive paint option.

Inside, the Outback Wilderness featured a dark gray and black cabin with StarTex water-repellant upholstery. While ventilated seats were absent, heated seats were standard. The interior included a black headliner, Gunmetal Gray trim, Anodized Copper stitching, brushed aluminum pedals, and all-weather floor mats. The Wilderness package also included waterproof rear seatback material and a cargo tray. These modifications gave the Outback Wilderness a distinct personality, appealing to those seeking adventure. Positioned as the entry point into the turbocharged Outback family, it offered a compelling package for off-road enthusiasts.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain options: a 2.5-litre direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor. The ICE engine produced 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, providing adequate performance. The hybrid powertrain, however, delivered 226 total system horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, making it more engaging to drive. The Tucson Hybrid was notably more powerful than competitors like the Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

Hyundai offered all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option for the Tucson, standard on the hybrid model. The AWD system performed well in off-road testing, comparable to Subaru's renowned AWD system. Fuel efficiency varied, with front-wheel drive Tucsons achieving 9.1 L/100 km in the city and 7.1 on the highway, while AWD models consumed slightly more. The Tucson Hybrid was more fuel-efficient, using 6.3 L/100 km in the city and 6.6 on the highway. The upcoming plug-in hybrid version promised even more power, with an estimated 261 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided ample power for the midsize crossover, with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with an average of 11.0 L/100 km on a mountainous route. The Outback's continuously variable transmission (CVT) offered eight programmed ratios, but its droning and simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience.

The Outback Wilderness excelled off-road, thanks to its lifted stance, 23 cm of ground clearance, and all-terrain tires. It featured improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, along with a dual function X-Mode traction system. On pavement, the Wilderness felt quick but limited by its tires. Off-road, it proved capable on challenging trails, climbing steep hills and navigating narrow paths with ease. The Wilderness offered a balance between on-road comfort and off-road capability.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson impressed with its spacious and well-appointed interior. It offered a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat as standard, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats as options. The Tucson's new platform provided more passenger and cargo space, with rear seats offering 90 millimetres more legroom than the RAV4. The cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four, with a 1,095-litre cargo space comparable to competitors like the CR-V and RAV4.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. Heated front seats were standard, and the driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment. The rear seat provided generous head and legroom, with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 920 litres behind the rear seat and 2,144 litres with the seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack, supporting a 700-pound static load for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation. The touchpoints on the centre console were responsive, but the lack of physical buttons made it challenging to use while driving. Steering wheel controls and voice commands were essential for ease of use.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated climate control. While physical knobs and buttons were available for some functions, most controls required the touchscreen. Voice recognition technology was less intuitive, 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 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention monitor. Additional features like blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system were available. Hyundai's SmartSense Safety Feature suite provided a level of safety comparable to luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness also had steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. EyeSight technology proved effective during testing, maintaining safe distances and keeping the vehicle centred. The Outback Wilderness lacked Subaru's DriverFocus distraction mitigation technology, available on higher trims.