2022 Subaru Outback vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

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 all-terrain tires and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. The exterior featured a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, while the interior was dominated by dark grey and black tones with StarTex water-repellant upholstery. The Outback Wilderness was designed to stand out with its bold styling and practical features like a robust roof rack and exclusive Geyser Blue paint.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade presented a more commanding presence with its updated styling. The new front fascia and squared-off grille gave it a stronger look, complemented by LED lighting and body-colour mirrors. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured premium touches like a unique grille and 20-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Palisade offered a spacious and stylish cabin with premium Nappa leather in the top trim, dual-pane sunroof, and advanced seating configurations. The new Robust Emerald colour added a subtle elegance to the vehicle's appearance.

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 provided ample power for the midsize SUV, which weighed 3,896 pounds and had a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios, though its performance was somewhat hindered by the CVT's characteristic droning. 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 dual function X-Mode traction system further enhanced its off-road prowess.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, on the other hand, was equipped with a 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This made it more powerful than several competitors in its class. The Palisade's eight-speed automatic transmission could be controlled via paddle shifters, and its all-wheel drive system proved capable during off-road testing. While not designed for rock-crawling, the Palisade offered a comfortable ride and a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Its fuel economy was rated at 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 9.5 on the highway.

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, and the driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment. Rear seat space was generous, with ample head and legroom, and the cargo area provided 920 litres of space behind the rear seat, expanding to 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 Hyundai Palisade offered a spacious interior with seating for seven or eight passengers. It provided 1,052 millimetres of legroom in the front row, 1,077 in the second, and 798 in the third. The Palisade's cargo space measured 509 litres behind the third row, 1,297 litres behind the second, and 2,447 litres with all but the front-row seats folded flat. The vehicle featured HVAC vents in all three rows, a hands-free smart liftgate, and a well-organized centre console with ample storage options.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which integrated climate control and required the use of the touchscreen for most functions. While it offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the voice recognition technology was less intuitive. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium audio system, which was available in other Outback trims.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, however, featured a 12.3-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in higher trims. The Palisade also offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an in-car intercom, and remote accessibility features through Hyundai's Bluelink system. The app allowed for remote control of heated and cooled seats and provided detailed vehicle information.

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. While crash-test results for the Wilderness were unavailable, the standard Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and came with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features. These included forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Palisade also offered Highway Driving Assist, a full-display digital rearview mirror, and a rear seat occupant alert system.