2022 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting seamlessly into the Volvo lineup with its “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge featured a blanked-off grille, “Recharge” badging, model-specific alloy wheels, a gloss black roof, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic color. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim, Nappa leather, and Nubuck textile upholstery, and a coherent design that melded elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents into a pleasing whole.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stretched the notion of a station wagon, offering 9.5 inches of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and improved approach and departure angles. It featured a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents, and a matte black hood decal. The interior was dark gray and black with StarTex water-repellant upholstery, Gunmetal Gray trim, Anodized Copper stitching, and all-weather floor mats. The Wilderness package included waterproof rear seatback material and a waterproof cargo tray, adding purpose and personality to the Outback's styling.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a three-tiered powertrain lineup. The base FWD T4 featured a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 offered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The electric Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, boasting 402 hp and 486 lb-ft from dual electric motors and a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, the T5 in 6.1 seconds, and the T4 in 8.1 seconds. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort, with excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability. It also had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

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 lbs. The EPA estimated 24 mpg in combined driving, but real-world testing averaged 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route. The CVT with eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters was less satisfying than a dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Wilderness trim included 9.5 inches of ground clearance, 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. It also had a dual function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control, making it the most capable Outback ever. On pavement, it felt quick but soft, while off-road, it excelled in challenging terrain.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had no difference in passenger or cargo space compared to gasoline models, but it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Clever storage solutions included a removable trash bin, a bag hook in the glovebox, and extra-large door bins. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was well-shaped for a phone, with an optional wireless charging pad and a single USB-C port. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness had dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 8-way for the passenger. The rear seat offered generous space, rear air conditioning vents, and dual USB charging ports, but the same discomfort issues as the front seats. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat, with waterproof material and a cargo tray. The roof rack had a 220-pound dynamic load rating and a 700-pound static load rating for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system with Google apps, including Google Assistant and Google Maps. It also supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The standard setup included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge had OTA update capability and lacked a start button, allowing the driver to simply shift out of park with the key fob on their person.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness had an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment and climate control 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 Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other trims. It featured PIN code entry technology, allowing the key fob to be left inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model had a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure, with Volvo expecting it to perform well in crash tests. It also featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness preserved the efficacy of the standard EyeSight ADAS, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. It also had steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. The EyeSight technology proved effective during testing, maintaining safe distances and lane centering. The 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.