2023 Genesis GV80 vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Subaru Outback underwent a facelift, featuring a new front end with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding, giving it a more aggressive appearance. The addition of a jutting simulated skid plate, fog lights in oversized housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model further enhanced its bold look. While these changes might not appeal to everyone, opting for a dark paint colour could help tone down the design's excesses. The Outback Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented the audacious cladding, offering a more cohesive aesthetic.

Inside, the Outback Limited trim impressed with its upscale interior, featuring premium Nappa leather upholstery and a harmonious blend of materials. The dashboard, door panels, and floor mat piping contrasted beautifully, with light gray contrast stitching adding a touch of elegance. Despite the use of hard plastic in some areas, the interior maintained a quality feel. However, the large infotainment screen and gloss black trim on the centre console were prone to collecting dust and smudges, which was a minor drawback in an otherwise well-appointed cabin.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 exuded sophistication and grace with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille, presenting a stately midsize SUV just shy of 5 metres long. The Prestige trim tester featured 22-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its elegant appearance. The quad lamp design continued at the rear with four-part taillamps above the dual exhaust, while the hands-free liftgate maintained a boxy design. The matte Brunswick Green paint job added a touch of elegance to the overall look.

Inside, the GV80 continued the dark green theme with quilted leather seats, complemented by a dash split by thin horizontal air vents and an abundance of metal and matte wood trim. The centre console featured three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes, while the two-spoke steering wheel added a unique touch. The 14.5-inch infotainment screen, though slightly awkwardly placed, was a minor annoyance in an otherwise spacious and luxurious interior.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design, which helped reduce the vehicle's centre of gravity and provided a characteristic grumble and vibration. The standard 2.5-litre engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). While the CVT made good use of the power at lower speeds, the Outback struggled with passing and climbing power, and its fuel efficiency was disappointing, returning 9.2 L/100 km instead of the expected 8.3 L/100 km. The Outback XT models offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing better performance but at the cost of fuel efficiency.

The Outback's Active Torque Split AWD system and X-Mode traction system enhanced its off-road capabilities, handling challenging terrain with ease. In urban settings, the Outback's excellent visibility and compact size made parking and navigating tight spaces a breeze. However, the standard engine's lack of power was evident on highways, requiring a heavy foot for passing. The suspension tuning provided a comfortable ride, and the Outback handled reasonably well, though it was not a sports station wagon.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came standard with all-wheel drive and offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6. The smaller engine delivered 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, while the turbo V6 in the tester produced 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. While the GV80 was not particularly athletic or nimble, it excelled at highway driving, with smooth power delivery and shifts. The electronically controlled suspension, combined with active noise cancellation, provided a quiet and comfortable highway commute.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a purposeful roof rack, flat door sill trim, and a dashboard storage shelf. The Limited trim offered a comfortable interior with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Outback's spacious cabin accommodated two adults and two teens comfortably, with ample legroom and storage space. The cargo area offered 923 litres behind the back seat and 2,141 litres with the back seat folded down. The Outback's design made it easy to get in and out, and the robust roof rack was ready for various accessories.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 boasted luxury features, including heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a tri-zone climate control system. The Ergo driver's seat offered a unique fatigue-reducing function, and the Nappa leather seats were sumptuous. The GV80 offered an optional third row, though legroom was limited. The proximity key and digital key provided convenience, while the available 21-speaker Lexicon sound system and panoramic sunroof added to the luxury experience. The GV80's cargo space was generous, with 988 litres behind the second row and 2,378 litres with the seats folded down. The towing capacity was a healthy 2,720 kilograms.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity from the Touring trim. The system included physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate control, while other functions were embedded in the touchscreen. The voice recognition system was lacking, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto essential. Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera, though a surround-view camera was not available.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. The infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, and the dial control was cumbersome, though it offered handwriting detection. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, but not wirelessly. The GV80 featured remote smart parking assist, allowing the driver to park the car remotely using the key fob.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was equipped with Subaru's EyeSight system, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The system included a new Automatic Emergency Steering function and a third Wide-Angle Mono Camera for better pedestrian and cyclist detection. The Outback earned top safety marks from the IIHS, though the adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems were less impressive.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a comprehensive suite of advanced driver aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Blind-Spot View Monitor system provided a video feed of the blind spot in the digital gauge cluster. The GV80's Highway Drive Assist used various systems to provide a hands-on/eyes-up driving aid, though it struggled in certain conditions. The GV80 received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS.