2022 Porsche Macan 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. With 23 centimetres of ground clearance, it was equipped with aggressive all-terrain tires and enhanced approach and departure angles due to its restyled bumpers. The Outback Wilderness featured a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, along with a matte black hood decal to reduce glare. Its roof rack was robust, supporting a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark grey and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching. The interior was practical, with waterproof materials and all-weather floor mats, making it suitable for adventurous outings.

In contrast, the 2022 Porsche Macan maintained its sporty elegance with a design that evolved subtly over the years. The Macan S test vehicle showcased a Volcano Gray exterior with 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, exuding a taut and athletic look. Inside, the Macan drew inspiration from other Porsche models, featuring a left-side ignition switch, a large tachometer, and a flat dashboard. The interior was upscale, with red leather, gloss black trim, and silver metallic accents. The Macan's centre console was updated with haptic touch controls, enhancing its modern appeal. Despite its sporty nature, the Macan offered comfort with its 14-way power-adjustable front seats, though rear-seat space was limited.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. 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, with an average of 11.0 L/100 km on a mountainous route. The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios, though its performance was less engaging compared to a dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Wilderness trim stood out with its all-wheel drive, 23 cm ground clearance, and Yokohama Geolandar 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.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a range of engines, with the Macan S featuring a twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 producing 375 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. All Macans came with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable all-wheel-drive system. The Macan S had larger 20-inch wheels and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) for improved handling. The test vehicle also included Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) and Porsche Surface Coated Brakes (PSCB). The Macan S excelled on twisty roads, offering precise handling and strong braking performance. Its fuel consumption was 13.0 L/100 km, close to the official rating of 12.2 L/100 km.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark grey StarTex upholstery, a water-repellant material that kept seats dry but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated, with the driver's seat offering 10-way power adjustment. Rear-seat space was generous, with ample head and legroom for two adults or three children. The cargo area provided 920 litres of space behind the rear seat and 2,144 litres with the seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered comfort for the driver and front passenger, with optional 14-way power-adjustable seats featuring heating and ventilation. However, rear-seat space was cramped, especially for taller passengers. The Macan's new steering wheel, modelled after the 911, felt thin and uncomfortable over long drives. The redesigned centre console featured haptic touch controls, though it required looking away from the road to use. Cargo space measured 488 litres behind the rear seat, expandable to 1,503 litres with the seat folded down.

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 system was not intuitive, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for voice commands. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other Outback trims.

The 2022 Porsche Macan featured a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system called Porsche Communication Management (PCM). It included wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. The voice recognition system was less effective than competitors, but Apple CarPlay provided a workaround. The Macan had physical controls for volume and climate, reducing the need to interact with the touchscreen while driving.

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. It also had steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. The Outback Wilderness's EyeSight technology was effective, qualifying as a Level 2 ADAS. The 2021 Outback received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Porsche Macan included lane-departure warning and a reversing camera as standard. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The Macan's safety technologies performed as expected, though it lacked advanced driving assistance features. Parking assistance was available with front and rear sensors, a surround-view camera, and Park Assist. The Macan had no published safety ratings from the NHTSA or IIHS.