2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a rugged take on the traditional Outback, offering a higher stance and more aggressive styling that blurred the lines between a station wagon and an SUV. With 23 centimetres of ground clearance, it featured all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. The unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents added to its distinctive look, while the Geyser Blue paint provided an exclusive touch. Inside, the cabin was outfitted with StarTex water-repellant upholstery, a black headliner, and Anodized Copper stitching, creating a durable and stylish environment. The Outback Wilderness was priced at $41,995, making it an entry point into the turbocharged Outback family in Canada.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an elegant and elongated version of the standard Grand Cherokee, designed to accommodate third-row seating. Its 29-centimetre longer body and 12.7-centimetre extended wheelbase provided more legroom and wider rear doors. The Grand Cherokee L maintained Jeep's iconic design elements, such as the seven-slot grille and U-shaped wheel arches, while modernizing with slimmer lighting and improved paint finish. The interior was luxurious, with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, and Palermo leather seating. The Grand Cherokee L offered a range of trims, from the base Laredo to the high-end Summit Reserve, each exuding a sense of premium quality.

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 adequate power for its 3,896-pound weight and 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 all-wheel drive, 23 cm of ground clearance, and all-terrain tires, making it capable off-road. It also had improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, along with a dual function X-Mode traction system for various terrains.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two engine options: a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 and a 5.7-litre V8, both mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6 produced 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the V8 delivered 357 hp and 390 lb-ft. The V6 struggled with the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded, but the V8 provided a more robust performance. Fuel efficiency for the V6 was 13.0 L/100 km in the city and 9.4 on the highway, while the V8 was less efficient. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was praised for its ride composure and steering feel, with an optional air suspension offering five ride height settings for various terrains.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated, with a 10-way power adjustment for the driver. Rear seat space was generous, with heated seats and dual USB ports. The cargo area offered 920 litres of space, expanding to 2,144 litres with the rear seats folded. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L boasted a user-friendly Uconnect 5 infotainment system with physical switches for climate and stereo controls. The interior was spacious, with captain's chairs in the second row and an optional 60/40 split bench. The third row could accommodate adults comfortably. The Grand Cherokee L featured a panoramic roof, ample USB ports, and a large central cubby for storage. However, the air vents were small, requiring the fan to be on high, which was noisy.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, integrating climate control and offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the voice recognition technology was not intuitive, requiring specific prompts. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available on other Outback trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered advanced technology features on upper trims, including massage modes, a head-up display, night vision, and a 360-degree camera system. The Uconnect system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and other driver aids standard. The Summit Reserve trim featured a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system.

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 had not been crash-tested, but the standard Outback received high safety ratings.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by safety organizations, but it came with standard driver and passenger knee airbags, trailer sway control, and various driver aids.