2022 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a bold departure from the standard Outback, offering a more rugged and adventurous aesthetic. It featured a higher ride height with 23 centimetres of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. The unique grille design, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents added to its distinctive look. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark grey and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching. The Outback Wilderness was positioned as an entry point into the turbocharged Outback family in Canada, priced at $41,995 plus a destination charge.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its striking design and unique styling elements. It featured the brand's two-line lighting signature and a distinct shoulder line, setting it apart from other Genesis models. The GV70 offered six grades in Canada, with options for a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine or a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6. The Sport grades boasted dark chrome finishes and a cross-hatched matrix pattern on the exterior. Genesis provided a wide range of colour combinations, with more than 100 options available. Inside, the GV70's cabin was designed with an elliptical theme, offering premium materials and unique upholstery configurations.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It had a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs and offered a commendable 23 cm of ground clearance. The Wilderness trim featured all-wheel drive, gloss-black 17-inch wheels with Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, and a dual function X-Mode traction system. While the CVT transmission provided eight programmed ratios, it was less satisfying during maximum acceleration. The Outback Wilderness excelled off-road, with improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, making it the most capable Outback ever.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options, with the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 producing 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, with a rear axle priority. The Sport Plus grade included an electronic limited-slip differential, allowing up to 100% of available torque to be sent to a single rear wheel. The GV70's drive modes included Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, with terrain modes for mud, sand, and snow. The electronically controlled suspension system provided a balance between comfort and road feel, while the GV70's turning radius was notably tight.

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

The 2022 Genesis GV70's interior was driver-focused, with a tall centre console and intuitive controls. It featured a dial-based gear selector and a raised dial for the infotainment system. The GV70 offered heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and available ventilated front and rear seats. The rear space included a panoramic sunroof and manual sunshades, but storage was limited. Cargo volume was 819 litres behind the second row and 1,610 litres with the seats folded. The tonneau cover could be stowed under the rear load floor.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, integrated with climate control. While it had physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required the touchscreen. Voice recognition technology was less responsive, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium audio system, which was available in other Outback trims.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch high-definition LCD infotainment screen with high-resolution graphics. The system allowed for a split-screen layout and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The premium Sport Plus grade offered a 3D digital instrument cluster and a fingerprint recognition system. A nine-speaker audio system was standard, with an 18-speaker Lexicon surround sound system available on top grades.

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 Outback Wilderness lacked Subaru's DriverFocus distraction mitigation technology. The standard Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 included ten standard safety features, such as blind spot collision avoidance assist, lane departure warning, and forward collision avoidance assist. It also had a rear occupant alert system and the Genesis Highway Driving Assist system. The GV70's safety ratings were not available at the time of publication, but the on-board systems were of high quality.