2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander presented a bold and distinctive design, characterized by its "Dynamic Shield" grille and lighting concept. This unique styling choice gave the Outlander a striking front appearance, while the rest of the vehicle maintained a balanced and appealing design. In Canada, the Outlander was available in several trims, all featuring standard all-wheel drive and a range of luxurious interior options, such as premium semi-aniline leather and a head-up display. Despite some use of less expensive materials, the Outlander's interior design adhered to a minimalist aesthetic, with authentic aluminum accents and gloss black trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness offered a rugged and adventurous look, with increased ground clearance and aggressive all-terrain tires. The Wilderness trim featured unique design elements like a matte black hood decal and Anodized Copper accents, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Inside, the Outback Wilderness was equipped with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and a range of practical features, such as a waterproof cargo tray and a robust roof rack. While the interior was functional, the lack of ventilated seats and the heat-retaining StarTex material could be uncomfortable in hot weather.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It utilized a continuously variable transmission (CVT) paired with Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system. Despite offering various driving modes, the Outlander struggled with acceleration, especially on highways or during overtaking. The steering felt vague, and the suspension was firm, leading to a less comfortable ride on uneven surfaces. The Outlander returned a fuel consumption of 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly higher than the official rating.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided ample power for the midsize SUV, with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The Outback's CVT, however, detracted from the driving experience with its droning and soft gear changes. The Wilderness trim excelled off-road, thanks to its increased ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and advanced traction systems. On pavement, the Outback felt quick but was limited by its tires. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.0 L/100 km on a mountainous route.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, offering roomy and comfortable front seats with a 10-way power adjustment for the driver. The interior featured intuitive controls and impressive displays, including a digital instrumentation and a head-up display. However, the centre console lacked storage space. The rear seats provided generous head and legroom, while the third-row seat was cramped and best suited for children. Cargo capacity was limited with the third row in use but expanded significantly when folded.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats offered 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 4-way manual adjustment for the passenger. The rear seats provided ample space for adults, with additional features like rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. The cargo area offered 920 litres of space, expanding to 2,144 litres with the rear seats folded. The Outback also boasted a robust roof rack for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander GT and GT Premium stood out with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large head-up display, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise, affecting its usability.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated climate control. While it included physical knobs for basic functions, most controls required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less intuitive, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better functionality. The Outback lacked a premium audio system, which was surprising given its target demographic.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a driver-assist system similar to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, offering smooth and accurate performance. It included standard safety features like forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. The Outlander received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. It also had steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. The EyeSight technology was effective and unobtrusive, though the beeping could be excessive. The Outback earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.