2023 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness presented a rugged and elevated stance, distinguishing itself from the standard Outback models. With 23 centimetres of ground clearance, it was designed to tackle more challenging terrains, resembling a Jeep more than a traditional 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, complemented by a matte black hood decal. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark grey and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching, creating a robust and functional interior.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder maintained its modern aesthetic with a design that balanced traditional elements and forward-thinking features. The SUV's exterior was marked by futuristic headlights and an angular C-pillar, ensuring its relevance for years. Inside, the cabin offered clean lines and a sensible layout, making it both visually appealing and practical. The Pathfinder's trims ranged from the base S to the top-tier Platinum, each offering varying levels of luxury and functionality. The Rock Creek trim added a rugged touch with off-road enhancements and unique styling elements, making it suitable for both urban and adventurous settings.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with 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 powertrain allowed the Wilderness to tow up to 3,500 lbs, making it a capable midsize crossover SUV. Despite its power, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) was less engaging, with its characteristic droning and soft gear changes. The Wilderness trim featured all-wheel drive, 23 cm of ground clearance, and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road capabilities. It also boasted improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, along with a dual-function X-Mode traction system for various terrains.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. The Rock Creek variant offered a slight power boost to 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. The Pathfinder's nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth and quiet operation, though the new shifter design was less intuitive. The vehicle featured a rotary drive mode dial with multiple settings, including an All-Terrain mode for the Rock Creek. The Pathfinder's standard towing capacity was 1,587 kilograms, with the Rock Creek capable of towing up to 2,720 kilograms. Its off-road suspension and tires offered a comfortable trail experience, though they resulted in a rougher ride on paved roads.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark grey StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a 4-way manual passenger seat. The rear seats offered generous head and legroom, with heated seats and dual USB ports. The cargo area provided 920 litres of space behind the rear seats and 2,144 litres with them folded flat. The robust roof rack supported a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder offered up to 2,279 litres of cargo space with the second and third rows folded flat. With the second row in use, it provided 1,274 litres, and 470 litres with all seats upright. The first two rows offered ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was suitable for shorter trips. The Platinum trim featured second-row captain's chairs with a removable centre console. The Pathfinder had 12 cupholders and four bottle holders, along with numerous storage compartments. The Rock Creek's roof rack could hold up to 100 kilograms, though its proximity to the roof made snow removal challenging.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, integrated with climate control. While it had physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required touchscreen interaction. The voice recognition technology was less intuitive, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better functionality. Despite its target demographic, the Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other Outback trims.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with larger 9-inch screens on higher trims. The system was user-friendly, though some might find the graphics dated. The Pathfinder included Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims added wireless charging and additional USB ports. While not cutting-edge, the Pathfinder's tech offerings were practical and sufficient for most users.

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. The EyeSight technology was effective and unobtrusive, though the Wilderness lacked Subaru's DriverFocus distraction mitigation technology. The 2021 Outback received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and ProPilot Assist. Higher trims added features like a 360-degree parking monitor and traffic-sign recognition. The Pathfinder's off-road mode displayed front- and side-view cameras for obstacle monitoring. The 2023 model received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, though NHTSA ratings were based on the 2022 model, which scored well in crash protection.