2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Subaru Outback underwent a facelift, giving it a more aggressive appearance. It featured a redesigned front end with new LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding, creating the illusion of large air intakes. The addition of a jutting simulated skid plate, oversized fog light housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model contributed to 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 cladding well. The Outback was available in seven trims, with the Onyx Edition priced at $38,695 in Canada. The standard 2.5-litre engine was offered in various trims, while the turbocharged XT models provided more power and ranged from $43,195 to $46,395. The Limited trim, with its premium Nappa leather interior, offered a cohesive and upscale feel, despite some hard plastic elements. The infotainment screen and gloss black trim, however, were prone to collecting dust and smudges.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 retained its design from 2019, with the Trail trim standing out due to its two-part face. The Trail trim featured a more aggressive grille, blacked-out wheels, a faux skid plate, and bridge-type roof rails. However, it was more of a style statement than a true off-roader. Inside, the Trail trim added orange accents, with striped seats and contrast stitching. The RAV4's interior included a frameless rearview mirror, adding a touch of premium feel. The RAV4 offered four gas-powered trims in Canada, with prices ranging from just over $35,000 to over $45,000 for the Limited trim. The LE and XLE trims featured fabric upholstery and standard heated front seats, while the XLE Premium package upgraded to synthetic leather. The Limited trim boasted heated and ventilated power-adjustable seats with memory settings. The RAV4's interior was practical, with ample storage options, but it lacked the premium feel of some competitors.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design and characteristic grumble. The standard engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. While it performed well at lower speeds, it lacked passing and climbing power. The Outback's towing capacity was 1,225 kilograms. Fuel efficiency was disappointing, with a combined rating of 9.2 L/100 km, despite expectations of 8.3 L/100 km. The turbocharged XT models offered 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing better performance but at a higher cost. The Outback's AWD system and X-Mode traction system enhanced its off-road capabilities, while its suspension provided a comfortable ride. However, the standard engine felt underpowered, especially at higher elevations.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While it offered adequate performance, it wasn't particularly exciting. The RAV4's AWD system was standard, and it included a Snow drive mode. The Trail trim had 19-inch wheels with all-season tires and a suspension system similar to other RAV4 models. The RAV4's performance was more about practicality than excitement, with a focus on noise reduction rather than power.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a roof rack, flat door sills, and a dashboard storage shelf. The Limited trim offered a comfortable interior with power-adjustable heated seats wrapped in premium Nappa leather. The Outback provided ample legroom and storage space, with 923 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 2,141 litres with the seats folded. The vehicle's design made it easy to enter and exit, and the roof rack was robust for carrying additional cargo. However, more practical storage space could be added by redesigning the centre console.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 seated five and offered 958 mm of front headroom and 1,001 mm in the rear. Legroom measured 1,039 mm in the front and 960 mm in the back. The RAV4's interior included convenient storage options, such as a shelf above the glove compartment and large door pockets. Cargo space was 1,059 litres behind the second row and 1,977 litres with the seats folded. While it offered practical storage, the RAV4's interior was narrower than some competitors.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system included physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate control, while other functions were embedded in the touchscreen. The base model had a 7-inch screen with wired connectivity. The system's usability improved, but the graphics and voice recognition were lacking. Additional technologies included a digital rearview mirror and a front-view camera, but a surround-view camera was unavailable.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, upgraded to a 10.5-inch screen in the Limited trim. The system supported OTA updates, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The RAV4 included Toyota's connected services, with some requiring a subscription. The Limited trim featured an 11-speaker JBL audio system, while the Trail trim had a standard six-speaker stereo. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version in the Limited trim.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured new EyeSight cameras and an electronic brake booster, enhancing safety features. The IIHS awarded it top marks, including in the new side-impact crash test. EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind spot monitoring and a new Automatic Emergency Steering system. The Outback's safety features were effective, but the adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems felt artificial.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 included standard safety features like lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The TSS 2.5 suite offered advanced driver-assistance systems, including Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with top scores in crash-testing.