2023 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, a stalwart in the SUV market, continued its second generation into its 14th year without significant redesigns. Its exterior design, characterized by a modestly sized grille and elegant wheel arches, maintained a classic appeal amidst evolving SUV trends. The Sequoia's dimensions were substantial, with a height of 1,956 mm, a width of 2,030 mm, and a length of 5,210 mm, riding on a 3,099 mm wheelbase. Despite its mature design, the interior felt dated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen that seemed out of place in a modern vehicle. However, the interior quality was typical of Toyota, with high-quality materials and a robust build, ensuring durability for family use.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift, featuring a new front end with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper. The Outback's aggressive appearance was complemented by dark gray vertical cladding and asymmetrical wheel arch trim. The Onyx Edition, with black wheels and trim, offered a more cohesive look. Inside, the Limited trim boasted premium Nappa leather upholstery and a well-designed interior with contrasting stitching and piping. Despite some hard plastic elements, the interior maintained an upscale feel. The Outback's practicality was evident in its thoughtful design, including a flat door sill trim and a robust roof rack, making it a versatile choice for various adventures.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, offered a reliable and durable performance. The Sequoia's truck roots provided a payload capacity of up to 608 kg and a towing capacity of 3,221 kg. Despite its weight of approximately 2,721.5 kg, the Sequoia delivered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to its body-on-frame construction and ample ground clearance. However, its fuel consumption ratings were less impressive, with 18.5 L/100 km in the city and 13.9 on the highway.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured a standard 2.5-litre flat-four engine, generating 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. While the CVT made good use of the power at lower speeds, the engine struggled with passing and climbing. The Outback XT models offered a more powerful 2.4-litre turbocharged engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing better acceleration and performance. The Outback's fuel efficiency was slightly disappointing, with a combined rating of 9.2 L/100 km during testing. The Outback's suspension tuning provided a firm yet comfortable ride, and its handling was confident, especially on challenging terrain.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering spacious seating across all three rows with ample headroom and legroom. The SUV featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and heated front seats as standard. The cargo space was generous, with 535 litres behind the third row and up to 3,401 litres with the second and third rows folded flat. The Sequoia's interior storage options were plentiful, with a large centre console, glove compartment, and door pockets.

The 2023 Subaru Outback emphasized utility with its practical design elements, such as a robust roof rack and flat door sill trim. The Limited trim offered a comfortable interior with power-adjustable heated seats wrapped in premium Nappa leather. The Outback's cargo space was versatile, with 923 litres behind the back seat and 2,141 litres with the seats folded down. The vehicle's design made it easy to enter and exit, and the interior provided ample storage options, although there was room for improvement in practical storage space.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's technology was somewhat outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen. However, it included standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system and navigation. The Sequoia's exterior lighting was fully LED, and it featured a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, featured an 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included physical controls for essential functions, while other features were embedded in the touchscreen. The Outback offered a Harman Kardon premium audio system and a wireless charging pad on higher trims. The infotainment system's usability had improved, but the voice recognition system was lacking. Additional technologies included a digital rearview mirror and a front-view camera.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, including pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also featured a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and Toyota's STAR safety system, which included stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. The Sequoia had a full complement of airbags and other safety features, but it lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2023 Subaru Outback received top safety ratings from IIHS, thanks to its EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added features like blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency steering. The Outback's safety systems were effective, although the adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist could be improved for a more natural feel. The rear automatic braking system had limitations in certain situations.