2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. The analog gauges, steering wheel design, and seat forms were consistent with previous iterations, though the interior saw a refresh, especially in trims above the base level. The Premium trim and higher featured an 11.6-inch portrait display, which was bright, sharp, and integrated with polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Onyx Edition XT, in particular, stood out with its gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green contrast stitching, giving it a unique and durable interior. Externally, the Outback maintained a smooth and plain styling with high gray cladding on its wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, emphasizing its lifted wagon design.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a two-row version of the previous year's Grand Cherokee L, adhered to Jeep's design traditions while incorporating modern touches. The new Grand Cherokee featured a forward-leaning grille, lowered beltline, and tapered rear roof pillars, reminiscent of the classic 1963 Wagoneer. The interior varied significantly across trims, from the basic but quality Laredo with cloth seats to the luxurious Summit Reserve with premium leather, heated and ventilated seats, and a high-end McIntosh audio system. The Grand Cherokee also offered a black roof option and promised more paint colors in the future, enhancing its visual appeal.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was hampered by its underpowered 2.5-liter flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine struggled to move the vehicle, especially when fully loaded, resulting in slow and noisy performance. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving acceleration and overall capability. The Outback's fuel economy was decent, with the base engine achieving 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, while the turbo XT managed 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. The Outback excelled in ride comfort and off-road capability, thanks to its long-travel springs, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and Subaru's proactive all-wheel-drive system.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 engine with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The V6 provided a tow rating of 6,200 pounds, while the V8 increased it to 7,200 pounds. The Grand Cherokee featured three different 4WD systems: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, catering to various off-roading needs. The Trailhawk trim, in particular, was equipped with advanced off-road features, including an electronic locking rear differential, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Selec-Speed off-road cruise control. Fuel economy ranged from 17 mpg combined with the V8 to 21 mpg with the V6, with the Trailhawk's off-road performance being particularly impressive.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive ground clearance, surpassing even some trucks, and provided ample interior space with 76 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cabin was spacious, with excellent visibility and numerous storage options. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, which could be easily swiveled and locked in place.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided a comfortable and high-quality interior, with features improving as you moved up the trim levels. The base Laredo was comfortable, while higher trims offered heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and front seat massagers. Visibility was improved, especially for off-roading, and the available panoramic sunroof added to the cabin's airy feel. Rear-seat room was tight for adults, but the Grand Cherokee L offered more legroom. The two-row Grand Cherokee had 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 70.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system felt outdated, with graphics and typefaces reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Subaru EyeSight system, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system's functionality was impressive but relied solely on cameras, which could be impeded in certain conditions.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, featuring a comprehensive head-up display, Night Vision system, camera-based rearview mirror, and multiple touchscreens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, standard on all trims, offered a significant improvement in responsiveness and included features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. Higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, and an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Higher trims offered additional driver assists like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear emergency braking. The Outback earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with the 2020 model being a "Top Safety Pick+" and the 2021 model scoring five stars overall in NHTSA tests.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was built with a safety cage composed extensively of aluminum and high-strength steel. It featured a comprehensive package of advanced driver assistance systems, including Intersection Collision Assist and Active Driving Assist, which provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance. A hands-free version of Active Driving Assist was expected to be available in 2022, allowing for more autonomous driving on approved roads.