2022 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness presented a rugged and adventurous aesthetic, distinguishing itself from the standard Outback models. It featured a higher ride height with 9.5 inches of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers that improved approach and departure angles. The exterior was marked by a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, while the interior was dominated by dark gray and black tones with StarTex water-repellant upholstery. Despite its utilitarian design, the Outback Wilderness offered a sense of purpose and personality, appealing to those seeking a more adventurous vehicle.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 combined ruggedness with sleek, athletic elements. It inherited styling cues from other Genesis models, such as quad LED headlights and a large shield-shaped grille, but added a sloping roofline and ribbed detailing for a muscular profile. The Sport Prestige model featured unique styling elements, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels, and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70 boasted an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing, with a minimalistic design and high-quality materials like Nappa leather upholstery. The interior offered a range of color options, enhancing its luxurious appeal.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided adequate power for its 3,896-pound weight and a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The Wilderness trim featured all-wheel drive, 9.5 inches of ground clearance, and all-terrain tires, making it capable off-road. However, the CVT's droning and soft gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The Wilderness excelled in off-road conditions, with improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, a dual-function X-Mode traction system, and hill descent control.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV70 featured a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode enhanced throttle response and transmission behavior, but the GV70's chassis and steering lacked the sharpness of some competitors. The GV70 was more comfortable on highways, though its firm ride and lack of solidity detracted from its luxury feel.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats offered power adjustments and heating, while the rear seats provided ample space and heating as well. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 75.7 cubic feet with them folded. The Outback's robust roof rack supported a 700-pound static load, suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment, with adequate legroom and good rear-seat visibility. Cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The interior design compromised storage space, but included a covered storage cubby with USB ports. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered and featured heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were less intuitive.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supplemented by physical knobs and buttons for basic controls. The voice recognition technology required specific prompts, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better functionality. The Outback lacked a premium sound system option, but featured a PIN code entry system for convenience during outdoor activities.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's tile-based layout and glass rotary controller were user-friendly. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 included a digital-key feature, a fingerprint scanner, and a high-tech rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features like remote camera activation and driver profiles.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. It also featured steering-responsive headlights and a blind-spot warning system. The Outback Wilderness had not been crash-tested, but the standard Outback received high safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. It also included eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality. The GV70's Highway Driving Assist system performed well, though its lane-centering function had limitations on curvy roads.