2022 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban's front-end design was polarizing, with a mix of small headlights and large, busy grilles that didn't favor its massive frame. The interior, however, remained familiar and functional, with controls in their usual places and a touchscreen framed by a chrome strip that unfortunately reflected sunlight into the driver's eyes. The Suburban offered various trim levels, from the base LS to the luxurious High Country, each adding more features and comfort. The High Country trim, which we tested, included a Deluxe package with adaptive air suspension, power-retractable running boards, and a panoramic sunroof, but it lacked the soft-touch materials found in true luxury SUVs.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stood out with its increased ground clearance of 9.5 inches, aggressive all-terrain tires, and unique design features like a matte black hood decal and Anodized Copper accents. The interior was dominated by dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The Wilderness trim also included heated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a robust roof rack capable of supporting a 700-pound static load, making it ideal for outdoor adventures.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a standard 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, and a newly available 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine producing 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The diesel engine provided excellent pickup and V8-level torque, making it suitable for towing up to 8,300 pounds with the Max Trailering package. The Suburban's independent rear suspension improved ride quality, but it still exhibited some truck-like tendencies, such as body roll and susceptibility to crosswinds.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, giving it a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The Wilderness trim's CVT had eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters but lacked the engaging feel of a dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Outback's all-wheel-drive system, combined with its 9.5 inches of ground clearance and all-terrain tires, made it highly capable off-road. The Wilderness also included a dual-function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control, enhancing its off-road performance.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 144.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, 93.8 cubic feet with the second row in use, and 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row. Passengers enjoyed ample head- and legroom, with spacious second-row captain's chairs. The control layout was similar to GM's pickup trucks, but the button shifter design and power-sliding center console were less intuitive.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, while the rear seats offered generous space for two adults or three kids. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback also had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, making it suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running GM's intuitive infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A navigation system and rear entertainment system with large touchscreens were available, as was a helpful head-up display.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness had an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, with physical knobs for volume and tuning and buttons for temperature control. The voice recognition technology required learning specific prompts, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered superior voice assistant functionality. The Outback also featured PIN code entry technology, allowing the key fob to be left inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. Unique options included a rear-view camera mirror and the Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated for alerts.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-centering assistance. It also had steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.