2022 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a rugged take on the traditional Outback, offering a higher stance and a more adventurous aesthetic. With 23 centimetres of ground clearance, it was designed to tackle tougher terrains, resembling more of a Jeep than a station wagon. The vehicle featured aggressive all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. Its unique design elements included a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, all complemented by a new Geyser Blue paint option. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark grey and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching. The Outback Wilderness was priced at $41,995, making it an entry point into the turbocharged Outback family in Canada.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling cues. It featured a bold front end and cleverly concealed sliding door channels, giving it a more assertive profile. The Sienna's interior was designed for practicality, with ample storage and seating options, including available second-row captain’s chairs and a spacious third-row bench. The minivan offered a generous cargo capacity, with 949 litres behind the third row and up to 2,860 litres with the seats folded. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear liftgate added convenience, making it a family-friendly choice. The Sienna's design and functionality made it a versatile option for those needing ample space and flexibility.

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 CVT'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. It boasted improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, along with a dual function X-Mode traction system for challenging terrains.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on most trims. The hybrid system used an electronically controlled CVT, offering smooth power delivery and excellent fuel efficiency. The Sienna achieved impressive fuel consumption figures, with FWD models rated at 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.5 on the highway. The AWD models had slightly higher consumption rates. The Sienna's handling was commendable for a minivan, thanks to its TNGA platform and independent rear suspension. It provided a comfortable and stable ride, making it a practical choice for long journeys.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark grey StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could become 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 passengers. 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 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and versatility. It could accommodate a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, and its sliding second row added flexibility for cargo loading. The Sienna offered 949 litres of cargo space behind the third row, 2,129 litres behind the second row, and 2,860 litres behind the first row. The third-row bench easily stored away into the floor, and the vehicle featured numerous storage cubbies and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear liftgate enhanced convenience, making it an ideal choice for families.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which integrated climate control and dominated the dashboard. While it had physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was not intuitive, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available on other Outback trims.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna offered a wealth of technology features, including a standard 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. While it lacked wireless connectivity for these features, it included Bluetooth, multiple USB ports, and optional Qi wireless charging. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker JBL audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Sienna also featured a digital rearview mirror and remote keyless entry, with push-button start available on higher trims.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came 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 was expected to perform well in crash tests, with the standard Outback earning top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane centring, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. It also featured blind spot monitoring, 10 airbags, and a rear-seat reminder system. The Sienna received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, making it a safe choice for families.