2022 Subaru Outback vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

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 more challenging terrains, resembling a Jeep more 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 contributing to its bold appearance. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark grey and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching, creating a rugged yet stylish interior.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe maintained a more conservative design, continuing the look from the previous model year. Available in four trims in Canada, the Santa Fe offered a sleek and modern appearance with its wide grilles and thin LED headlights. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim, in particular, featured a sophisticated black interior with Nappa leather seats, providing a luxurious feel. The cabin was equipped with heated and cooled front seats, and the second row also had seat heaters, ensuring comfort in various weather conditions. The Santa Fe's design was understated yet elegant, appealing to those who preferred a more refined look.

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, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided ample power for a midsize SUV, with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. However, the CVT's characteristic droning and soft gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The Outback Wilderness excelled off-road, thanks to its 23 cm ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and advanced traction systems, including a dual-function X-Mode with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes. It was capable of tackling steep grades and challenging terrains, making it the most capable Outback ever.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine with 191 horsepower and a turbocharged version with 281 horsepower. The turbocharged engine, available in the Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, provided brisk acceleration and smooth performance, thanks to its eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Santa Fe featured a drive-mode selector with Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart modes, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. While the Santa Fe was not tested off-road, its turbocharged version had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, matching the Outback Wilderness in this regard.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a practical interior with water-repellant StarTex upholstery, ensuring durability and easy maintenance. The cabin offered generous space for passengers, with ample rear-seat head and legroom. The cargo area provided 920 litres of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,144 litres with the seats 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 Santa Fe prioritized passenger comfort and cargo space, with a spacious two-row configuration. Rear-seat legroom was a class-leading 1,060 millimetres, and the cargo area offered 1,032 litres of space, expanding to 2,041 litres with the rear seats folded. The Santa Fe's interior featured an eight-way power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, and a hands-free smart liftgate in higher trims. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included luxury features such as a panoramic sunroof, head-up display, and ambient lighting, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, integrating climate control and offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. However, the voice recognition technology required specific prompts, making it less user-friendly. The lack of a premium audio system was a notable omission, given the target demographic.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system offered extensive customization options, though voice recognition had mixed results. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim also included wireless device charging and advanced driver assistance systems, enhancing safety and convenience.

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. The system was effective and unobtrusive, providing peace of mind on the road. However, the Wilderness trim lacked Subaru's DriverFocus distraction mitigation technology.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added Highway Driving Assist, enhancing long-distance driving comfort. The Santa Fe received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, underscoring its commitment to safety.