2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness presented a rugged and elevated stance, distinguishing itself from the standard Outback models. With 23 centimetres of ground clearance, it was designed to tackle more challenging terrains, resembling a Jeep more than a traditional station wagon. The vehicle featured aggressive all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection, and restyled bumpers that improved its approach and departure angles. Unique design elements such as a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents added to its adventurous appeal. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark grey and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching, creating a robust and functional interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from the Tacoma pickup, giving it a rugged yet somewhat disjointed appearance. The trapezoidal grille and upright fascia contributed to its bold look, while the side profile introduced a softer character line. The rear echoed the front's design elements, but the overall body felt less cohesive compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid featured an asymmetrical dash with a metallic styling element, creating a visually interesting and functional space. The Bronze Edition added unique touches like bronze alloy wheels and light grey fabric upholstery, though the latter was prone to attracting dirt and stains.

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 crossover, which weighed 3,896 pounds and had a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Fuel efficiency was rated at 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 8.9 on the highway. The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios, though its performance was somewhat hindered by the transmission's droning and soft gear changes. The vehicle's all-wheel drive system, combined with its lifted suspension and all-terrain tires, made it highly capable off-road, with improved approach, breakover, and departure angles.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It featured a CVT and standard all-wheel drive, with an electric motor powering the rear axle when needed. The Highlander Hybrid could accelerate to 100 kilometres per hour in just over eight seconds, comparable to gasoline-only SUVs in its class. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response from a standstill, with the gasoline engine taking over to maintain speed. The ride quality was soft, with the suspension effectively smoothing out road imperfections. The Highlander Hybrid's cabin remained quiet on the highway, though the engine's drone was noticeable during more demanding driving conditions.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark grey StarTex upholstery, a water-repellant simulated leather that kept moisture from soaking into the seats. While effective in cold weather, the material could be uncomfortable in hot conditions. The driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat had 4-way manual adjustment. The rear seat provided generous head and legroom, with heated seats and dual USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 920 litres behind the rear seat and 2,144 litres with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also boasted a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's front seats were well-cushioned and adjustable, though the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. The vehicle offered ample storage, with trays and bins for personal items. The second-row seats were spacious, with sliding and reclining captain's chairs or an optional bench seat. The third row was less accommodating, suitable for children or smaller adults on short trips. Cargo space measured 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seats folded, and 2,387 litres with the second row stowed. Limited and Platinum trims included a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring integrated climate control. While physical knobs and buttons were provided for some functions, most controls required the touchscreen. Voice recognition technology was less intuitive, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better functionality. Despite targeting a higher-income demographic, the Outback Wilderness lacked a premium audio system, which was available on other Outback trims.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option available on top trims. The system was responsive, with logically organized menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging available on higher trims. Limited and Platinum trims also included navigation and an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system.

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 system was effective and unobtrusive, though the beeping could be excessive. The Outback Wilderness also featured steering-responsive LED headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. While crash-test results for the 2022 model were unavailable, the 2021 Outback received high safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieved a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a blind-spot monitor. The Platinum trim offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and head-up display. While the safety systems generally performed well, some fine-tuning was needed for smoother operation.