2022 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a rugged take on the traditional Outback, offering a higher stance and a more adventurous aesthetic. With 23 centimetres of ground clearance, it was designed to tackle more challenging terrains, resembling a Jeep more than a station wagon. The Wilderness model featured aggressive all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. Its unique design elements included a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, all complemented by a new Geyser Blue paint option. Inside, the cabin was outfitted with StarTex water-repellant upholstery, Anodized Copper stitching, and all-weather floor mats, creating a purposeful and distinctive interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a blend of Cadillac’s signature design cues with a compact footprint and tall profile. It featured a bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights, though its styling was considered somewhat ungainly. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered different exterior styling cues, with the former showcasing bright chrome and the latter featuring darker trim and a mesh grille. The interior, while luxurious, relied heavily on the optional Platinum Package for its standout features, such as semi-aniline leather upholstery and a microfibre sueded headliner. The XT5’s interior design lacked a strong thematic identity, making it less distinctive compared to its luxury competitors.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided ample power for its 3,896-pound frame, with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. However, the CVT's droning and soft gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The Wilderness trim stood out with its all-wheel drive, 23 cm ground clearance, and all-terrain tires, making it highly capable off-road. It featured improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, along with a dual function X-Mode traction system for challenging terrains.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a base 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 3.6-litre V6 producing 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. The V6, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivered smooth and quick shifts, providing sufficient power for everyday driving. The XT5’s performance suspension with adaptive dampers offered a comfortable ride, cushioning bumps while maintaining excellent body control. The steering was well-suited for a luxury vehicle, providing nimbleness without being overly sensitive, and the cabin remained impressively quiet.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray 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, with heated seats for both front and rear. The rear seat provided generous head and legroom, along with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The cargo area offered 920 litres of space behind the rear seat and 2,144 litres with the seat folded, with waterproof materials and a robust roof rack for additional storage.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 provided ample interior space, with more front headroom than some German competitors but less rear headroom. The seats were comfortable but could have benefited from more cushioning. The XT5 offered 850 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,784 litres with them folded, surpassing several rivals. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and the front featured a small cubbyhole for additional storage, though the centre console space was limited.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, integrating climate control and offering physical knobs for volume and tuning. However, the voice recognition technology required specific prompts, making Apple CarPlay and Android Auto preferable for voice commands. Despite its target demographic, the Wilderness lacked a premium audio system, which was available in other Outback trims.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional Technology Package added a digital instrument cluster and head-up display. While the touchscreen was user-friendly, the secondary controls were less intuitive, with a rotary controller and capacitive touchpads that lacked physical feedback. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system provided excellent sound quality, enhanced by the XT5’s quiet interior.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with 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 Wilderness lacked Subaru's DriverFocus distraction mitigation technology. The 2021 Outback received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking, while the Technology Package included a rear pedestrian alert and night vision. The XT5 received top crash-test scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its headlights and LATCH system received lower ratings.