2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a rugged take on the traditional Outback, offering a higher stance and a more aggressive look. With 23 centimetres of ground clearance, it was a centimetre taller than other Outback models, making it more akin to a Jeep in terms of off-road capability. The Wilderness featured 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, while the exclusive Geyser Blue paint added a touch of uniqueness. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark grey and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching, creating a purposeful and distinctive interior.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L extended the classic Grand Cherokee design by over 30 centimetres, maintaining its tough yet upscale appearance. The High Altitude package added a bold touch with blacked-out elements and dark grey 21-inch wheels. The interior of the Grand Cherokee L was luxurious, especially in upper trims, with black leather, gold stitching, and matte-finish light walnut accents. Despite some hard plastics, the cabin felt justified for its price range. The Grand Cherokee L's design was a blend of traditional Jeep elements and modern touches, ensuring it remained a standout in the midsize SUV segment.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, producing 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 3,896-pound SUV, with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Fuel efficiency was rated at 10.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.9 on the highway, though real-world testing showed an average of 11.0 L/100 km on a mountainous route. The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios, though its performance was less engaging than a dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Wilderness trim stood out with its all-wheel drive, 23 cm ground clearance, and all-terrain tires, making it the most capable Outback for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's standard engine was a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6, delivering 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. While the engine was adequate, it lacked low-end torque, making the optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 a better choice for towing, with 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. The V8 increased towing capacity to 3,265 kilograms (7,200 pounds). Fuel economy for the V6 was rated at 13.0 L/100 km city, 9.4 highway, and 11.3 combined, while the V8's ratings were 16.7 L/100 km city, 10.9 highway, and 14.1 combined. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis provided confident handling, and its air suspension allowed for adjustable ground clearance up to 27.6 centimetres. The 4WD system was standard in Canada, with three different systems available, ensuring the Grand Cherokee L was ready for off-road challenges.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark grey StarTex upholstery, a water-repellant material that kept seats dry but could be 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 two adults or three children. The cargo area provided 920 litres of space 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 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered more legroom for second-row passengers, thanks to its extended wheelbase. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a centre console and four-zone climate control available on higher trims. The third row was best suited for children, with power-folding headrests and a power liftgate. Cargo space was generous, with 481 litres behind the third row, 1,330 litres behind the second row, and 2,407 litres with both rows folded. The Grand Cherokee L's interior was well-appointed, with good visibility and a range of storage options.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, integrating climate control and other functions. While physical knobs were provided for volume and tuning, most controls required the touchscreen. Voice recognition technology was limited, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available on other Outback trims.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims, running Uconnect 5. The system was generally user-friendly, though some legibility issues were noted. The McIntosh sound system was available on upper trims, providing good audio quality. The Grand Cherokee L offered a range of tech features, including night vision, Active Driving Assist, and a passenger screen that allowed for independent media control and navigation assistance.

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 and a blind-spot warning system. While crash-test results for the Wilderness were unavailable, the standard Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023 and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, except for a 4-star rating in rollover tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features on higher trims included front cross-traffic braking, 360-degree cameras, and night vision.