2022 GMC Terrain vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a rugged take on the traditional Outback, offering a higher stance and a more adventurous design. It featured 23 centimetres of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. The exterior was marked by a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, while the interior boasted StarTex water-repellant upholstery and a dark grey and black colour scheme. The Outback Wilderness was priced at $41,995, plus a destination charge, making it an entry point into the turbocharged Outback family in Canada.

The 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its styling, including a bolder grille and new wheel designs. The AT4 trim level added black 17-inch alloy wheels and sport-terrain tires, along with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. The interior featured a black leather design with caramel-coloured contrast stitching, and the vehicle was equipped with a range of packages, including the Tech Package and Infotainment Package II. The Terrain AT4 was priced at $44,757, including the destination charge, but more affordable options were available with the SLE and SLT trims.

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 provided ample power for the midsize SUV, which weighed 3,896 pounds and had a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Fuel efficiency was rated at 10.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.9 on the highway. The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios, though some drivers found it less satisfying than a dual-clutch automatic transmission. The vehicle's all-wheel drive system, combined with its 23 cm ground clearance and all-terrain tires, made it highly capable off-road, with improved approach, breakover, and departure angles.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. While it lacked the acceleration of the previously available 2.0-litre engine, the 1.5-litre engine provided adequate power for most driving situations. The Terrain's nine-speed automatic transmission helped keep the vehicle in the torque band, and the SUV offered a towing capacity of 680 kilograms. The Terrain AT4 featured a four-wheel independent suspension and 20.1 cm of ground clearance, but its off-road capabilities were limited by its lower ride height and sport-terrain tires. Fuel economy was rated at 9.6 L/100 km in the city and 8.3 on the highway.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The interior offered heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. Rear seat space was generous, with ample head and legroom, and the cargo area provided 920 litres of space behind the rear seat, expanding to 2,144 litres with the seat folded. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a roomy interior with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-colour contrast stitching, providing an upscale feel. The rear seat was spacious, with plenty of legroom and a rear USB charging port. Cargo space measured 838 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,792 litres with the rear seat folded. The Terrain also included a large storage bin under the trunk floor and the ability to fold the front passenger seat for longer items.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which integrated climate control and required the use of the touchscreen for most functions. While physical knobs were provided for volume and tuning, the voice recognition technology was less intuitive than desired. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available for improved voice assistant functionality, but the lack of a premium sound system was a notable omission.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with the AT4 trim featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Infotainment Package II added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly effective, accurately responding to various prompts. The Terrain also offered a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system as part of the Tech Package.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The vehicle also had steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. While crash-test results for the Wilderness were not available, the standard Outback received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of review.