2023 Genesis GV80 vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was a testament to sophistication and elegance, with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille setting a stately tone for this midsize SUV. Measuring just under 5 metres in length, it commanded attention on the road. In Canada, the standard 20-inch wheels were impressive, but the Prestige trim took it up a notch with 22-inch alloy wheels. The rear design mirrored the front with four-part taillamps above dual exhausts, and the hands-free liftgate maintained a boxy aesthetic. The matte Brunswick Green paint added an extra layer of elegance, which continued inside with quilted leather seats in a matching dark green. The interior was a blend of metal and matte wood trim, with a centre console featuring three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes. The two-spoke steering wheel was a unique touch, though the 14.5-inch infotainment screen felt somewhat out of place atop the dash. Despite this minor quibble, the spacious and luxurious interior made it a delightful space to spend time.

The 2024 Subaru Outback, particularly in the Wilderness trim, received subtle updates with a new front fascia and LED fog lights, while the rest of the lineup retained the look from the 2023 facelift. The dark grey cladding contrasted beautifully with the Autumn Green Metallic paint of the Premier XT tester, a colour that was surprisingly appealing. The Outback trims varied in their use of black and chrome exterior fittings, with the Premier XT featuring tasteful chrome accents. Wheel designs also differed, with standard black 17-inch alloy wheels and the Wilderness trim sporting a matte black version. The interior of the top-trim test car was a pleasant surprise, with Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery offering a luxurious feel. The Outback's interior materials varied by trim, with StarTex synthetic leather on the Onyx and Wilderness trims, and cloth seats on the Convenience and Touring trims.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came standard with all-wheel drive and offered two engine choices: a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine, which our tester had, delivering 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. While the GV80 wasn't particularly athletic or nimble, taking about five and a half seconds to reach 100 km/h, it excelled in highway driving. The power delivery was smooth, and the electronically controlled suspension, combined with active noise cancellation, made for a serene highway experience.

The 2024 Subaru Outback stayed true to its roots with a "Boxer" horizontally opposed engine. The base model featured a 2.5-litre flat-four engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, were upgraded to a 2.4-litre turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, and increasing towing capacity to 1,587 kilograms. The Premier XT test car's turbo engine was a good fit, managing the vehicle's weight better than the base engine. The CVT mimicked the sound and feel of eight distinct gears, and the steering was adequate for a comfortable ride. The Outback's ground clearance was impressive, with the Wilderness trim offering 24.1 centimetres, making it suitable for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with a plethora of luxury features. In Canada, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated outboard mirrors were standard. Our tester featured ventilated front and rear seats with multiple adjustments and an Ergo driver's seat designed to reduce fatigue. The Nappa leather seats were sumptuous, and while a third row was available, its limited legroom made it suitable only for children. The GV80 offered a generous cargo space of 988 litres behind the second row, expanding to 2,378 litres with the seats folded. Towing capacity was a robust 2,720 kilograms. Additional features included Genesis puddle lamps, a proximity key, a digital key, tri-zone climate control, and a 21-speaker Lexicon sound system.

The 2024 Subaru Outback, despite its sleek design, did not compromise on interior space. It offered more headroom and legroom than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The cargo area measured 923 litres with all seats in place and 2,141 litres with the rear seats folded. The Outback's feature set included dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power-adjustable driver's seat. Heated rear seats were available from the Onyx trim, and ventilation was exclusive to the Premier XT trim. The hands-free power liftgate and power moonroof were standard from the Touring trim, and the raised roof rails with retractable cross bars were a practical touch.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, complemented by a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the 3D effects were somewhat gimmicky, the head-up display was a useful addition. The infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, and the dial control was cumbersome, though it offered a "clicky" feel. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but neither was wireless. The GV80 included wireless charging, multiple USB ports, and a 110-volt outlet. A standout feature was the remote smart parking assist, allowing the car to park itself without the driver inside.

The 2024 Subaru Outback's Premier XT trim included an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen, with the Convenience trim retaining a dual-7-inch-screen system. The Subaru Starlink multimedia platform appeared dated, but standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, wireless from the Touring trim, mitigated this. Climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with hard buttons for defoggers and temperature adjustments. Bluetooth and SiriusXM connectivity were standard, and most trims featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Blind-Spot View Monitor system provided a video feed of the car's blind spot in the digital gauge cluster. Highway Drive Assist used cameras, radar, and navigation to offer a hands-on/eyes-up driving aid. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating for crashworthiness from the IIHS, though its headlights and LATCH system were rated Acceptable.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies was standard, including adaptive cruise control, automatic pre-collision braking, and lane-keep assist. Reverse automatic braking was standard from the Touring trim, and a wide-angle camera improved detection of cyclists and pedestrians. The Premier XT trim featured a digital rearview mirror and a driver-attention monitor.