2022 Subaru Outback vs 2023 Audi Q5

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 model 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 adding to its rugged charm. The Outback Wilderness was priced at $41,995, making it an entry point into the turbocharged Outback family in Canada.

In contrast, the 2023 Audi Q5 combined elegance with sportiness, featuring subtle curves and angular accents. Available in both SUV and Sportback body styles, the Q5 offered a sleek silhouette with a spoiler-like element enhancing its rear design. Inside, the Q5 maintained a refined yet simple layout, though its age was beginning to show. Standard leather seating and heated front seats provided comfort, while a 10-inch touchscreen offered technological convenience. Despite its sturdy build quality and quiet cabin, the Q5's interior materials no longer felt as special compared to newer luxury competitors. The Q5 was a solid choice among luxury SUVs, offering a balance of style and functionality.

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 model's all-wheel drive and specialized suspension and traction systems made it highly capable off-road, with 23 cm of ground clearance and all-terrain tires enhancing its ruggedness. The Wilderness trim also included a dual function X-Mode traction system and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, making it the most capable Outback for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine options, starting with the base 40 TFSI quattro, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing 201 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI quattro increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid delivered 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque with an electric-only range of 37 kilometres. All Q5s came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a noticeable delay in power delivery, affecting initial acceleration. However, once underway, the Q5 provided adequate power and a sporty driving experience, with precise steering and a balance between compliance and cornering. The Q5's engine and exhaust remained quiet, contributing to a calm cabin environment.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, a water-repellant simulated leather that prevented moisture absorption. While effective in cold weather, the material could be uncomfortable in hot conditions. The Outback offered heated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a 4-way manual passenger seat. Rear-seat head and legroom were generous, accommodating two adults or three children comfortably. 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 boasted a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since 2018 but continued to offer a functional and stylish layout. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned for easy visibility, and traditional dials and buttons controlled the climate system. The Q5 provided good outward visibility, with ample space for taller passengers in both the front and rear seats. The Sportback model offered slightly reduced headroom but maintained sufficient legroom. Storage options included several compartments, though some were oddly sized. The Q5's cargo space measured 730 litres behind the rear seats, slightly reduced to 700 litres in the Sportback model.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came equipped with an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, integrating climate control and dominating the dashboard. While physical knobs and buttons were available for basic functions, most controls required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was limited, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered superior functionality. Despite its target demographic, the Outback Wilderness lacked a premium audio system, which was available in other Outback trims.

The 2023 Audi Q5 featured a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with sharp graphics and quick responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though the system took time to boot up. A Bang & Olufsen audio system was included in higher trims. The Q5's infotainment system offered large on-screen buttons for easy operation, though Apple CarPlay's app buttons were smaller. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, offering features like unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning. Mid-range trims included a customizable digital instrument panel known as the virtual cockpit.

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 used cameras mounted behind the windshield and was carefully calibrated to maintain effectiveness. The Wilderness also featured steering-responsive LED headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. While crash-test results for the Wilderness were unavailable, the standard Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, and side protection, with four stars in rollover tests. The IIHS awarded the Q5 a "Top Safety Pick+" rating. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist. The top Technik trim offered matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, and a semi-automated park assist system.