2022 Subaru Outback vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a bold departure from the standard Outback, with its elevated stance and rugged design elements. It featured 23 centimetres of ground clearance, a centimetre more than other Outback models, and was equipped with aggressive all-terrain tires and oversized fender protection. The restyled front and rear bumpers improved approach and departure angles, giving it a more Jeep-like appearance. Unique design touches such as a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents added to its rugged charm. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark grey and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching. The Outback Wilderness was priced at $41,995, plus a destination charge of $1,875, making it an entry point into the turbocharged Outback family in Canada.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50, on the other hand, showcased a blend of elegance and ruggedness. Its styling was characterized by a blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield, with a cabin positioned towards the rear wheels. The CX-50's rugged appeal was enhanced by blistered fender swells, lower body cladding, and faux skid plates. The standard black grille and mirror caps, along with available 20-inch alloy wheels, contributed to its striking appearance. The CX-50 Meridian Edition added exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, and a roof-mounted load platform. Inside, the CX-50 featured a driver-focused design with quality materials and polished metallic trim. The interior was dressed in black leather with caramel-coloured stitching, and the available terracotta upholstery added a touch of sophistication. The CX-50 was priced from $38,250 to $48,200, excluding a $1,995 destination charge.

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 some drivers found the CVT's performance less satisfying. The Wilderness trim stood out with its 23 cm ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. It also featured a dual-function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control, making it the most capable Outback for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The base GT model featured a 187 hp Skyactiv 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel consumption was rated at 9.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 7.9 on the highway. The CX-50 GT Turbo trim offered a turbocharged version of the engine, producing between 227 hp and 256 hp, depending on the fuel used. Torque ranged from 310 lb-ft to 320 lb-ft. The turbocharged engine provided smooth acceleration and a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The CX-50 featured Mazda's Mi-Drive system with Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, though the differences between modes were subtle. The CX-50's ride quality was slightly firmer, and it exhibited a hint of torque steer during acceleration. Despite its SUV classification, the CX-50 felt more like a sporty station wagon on the road.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, a water-repellant simulated leather that kept moisture at bay. While effective in cold weather, the lack of ventilated seats made the interior uncomfortable in hot conditions. The Outback Wilderness offered a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a 4-way manual passenger seat. 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 featured a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 GT Turbo came equipped with power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. Ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control ensured comfort in various weather conditions. The CX-50's interior was spacious, with comfortable front seats and a roomy back seat. Rear doors opened to nearly a 90-degree angle, facilitating easy entry and exit. The cargo area offered 889 litres of space, with a maximum capacity of 1,595 litres. While storage space was adequate, some opportunities for additional storage were missed. The CX-50's power rear liftgate and side bins added convenience.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system with integrated climate control. While physical knobs and buttons were provided for some functions, most controls required the use of the touchscreen. The voice recognition system was less intuitive, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered superior voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium audio system, which was available on other Outback trims.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. The 10.25-inch display was standard in Canada, but the system lacked touchscreen control for native functions. Mazda Connect's user interface was occasionally frustrating, though touchscreen control was available for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The CX-50 offered an available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system and an Active Driving Display, providing valuable information within the driver's line of sight.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-centring assistance. The Wilderness trim also featured steering-responsive LED headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Outback Wilderness had not been crash-tested, but the standard Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, though it fell short of the "Top Safety Pick+" designation due to some headlight configurations and night-time pedestrian collision avoidance results. The CX-50 featured a comprehensive package of driving assistance systems, including active blind-spot monitoring, Traffic Jam Assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control system occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting into the gap ahead, requiring manual intervention.