2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a rugged take on the traditional station wagon, offering a higher stance and a more adventurous aesthetic. With 23 centimetres of ground clearance, it was designed to tackle rougher terrains, resembling a Jeep more than a typical wagon. The Outback Wilderness 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 outfitted with StarTex water-repellant upholstery, a black headliner, and Anodized Copper stitching, creating a durable and functional interior.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a modernist and reductive design philosophy, focusing on clean lines and simplicity. While it offered limited flashy options, such as Firenze Red paint and diamond-turned 23-inch wheels, the Range Rover Sport exuded understated luxury. The test vehicle featured Eiger Grey paint, silver wheels, and a Black Exterior Pack, creating a sophisticated look. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, combined with aluminum and shiny black trim, provided a luxurious atmosphere. The Range Rover Sport was available in various specifications, with the Dynamic SE model offering heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a host of premium features.

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 less engaging than a dual-clutch automatic transmission. 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 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was also available, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The Range Rover Sport could accelerate to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and had a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. Fuel efficiency averaged 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres, with a suburban highway drive returning 9.4 L/100 km. The Range Rover Sport featured a new vehicle architecture with increased torsional stiffness, adaptive damping air suspension, and various driving modes. However, it struggled to match the driving dynamics of sport-tuned SUVs from competitors like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, a water-repellant simulated leather that kept moisture at bay. 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 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 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel. The front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. However, the rear seat was less accommodating, with limited legroom and hard front seatback panels. The cargo area measured 903 litres, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. The Range Rover Sport featured a power liftgate, air suspension for easier loading, and various storage solutions within the cabin.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring integrated climate control and physical knobs for volume and tuning. However, the voice recognition technology was less intuitive, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for voice commands. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium audio system, which was available in other Outback trims.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. While the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was designed to learn user habits, it often proved confusing and frustrating. The voice assistant struggled with basic commands, making Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or Alexa integration more reliable options. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system.

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 Wilderness also featured steering-responsive LED headlights, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Outback Wilderness's EyeSight technology was effective and non-intrusive, though crash-test results were not available at the time of review.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The SUV also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, and a surround-view camera system. However, the adaptive cruise control and steering assist technology were less refined, with slow response times and inconsistent performance.