2023 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a rugged departure from the standard Outback, boasting a higher stance and more aggressive all-terrain tires. With 9.5 inches of ground clearance, it was closer to a Jeep than a traditional station wagon. The Wilderness featured a unique grille design, black 17-inch wheels, and blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents. The roof rack and rail system were new, supporting a 700-pound static load, perfect for rooftop camping. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, with Anodized Copper stitching and accents adding a touch of flair. The interior also included a black headliner, Gunmetal Gray trim, and brushed aluminum pedals, making it both functional and stylish.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Durango maintained its familiar yet attractive design, avoiding the trend of oversized grilles. Its slim styling, forward-leaning headlights, and large lower air intake gave it a strong presence. The rear featured Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights, adding a distinctive look. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models had unique styling features, including a Viper-like hood and unique wheels. The Durango offered various appearance packages, such as the Blacktop Package and Hemi Orange appearance package, allowing for customization. Inside, the Durango's materials varied by trim level, with the Citadel and SRT models offering more luxurious features like Nappa leather upholstery and heated second-row captain's chairs. The SRT Hellcat test car featured bold red leather upholstery, adding a touch of excitement to the interior.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided ample power for the 3,896-pound vehicle, allowing for a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The EPA estimated fuel efficiency at 24 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing averaged 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route. The Outback Wilderness featured all-wheel drive, 9.5 inches of ground clearance, and 225/65R17 Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, making it highly capable off-road. The vehicle's approach, breakover, and departure angles were improved, and it included a dual function X-Mode traction system with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 lb-ft of torque. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the R/T and optional on the Citadel, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 model featured a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The SRT Hellcat model took performance to another level with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Durango's eight-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel drive provided smooth and responsive handling. The SRT models included performance features like adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero tires, and Brembo brakes, ensuring a thrilling driving experience.

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, with the driver's seat offering 10-way power adjustment and the front passenger seat providing 8-way power adjustment. The rear seat was spacious, accommodating two adults or three children, and included rear air conditioning vents and dual USB charging ports. 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 Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 220-pound dynamic load rating and a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Dodge Durango was available in seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with the Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat models featuring second-row captain's chairs. The Durango offered competitive interior space, with headroom and legroom comparable to other three-row midsize SUVs. However, it had less cargo space than some rivals, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.1 cubic feet behind the first row. Small-item storage was generous, with a large wireless charging pad and well-placed USB ports. The Durango's towing capacity was impressive, with V6 models capable of towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dominating the center of the dashboard. While it included physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required the use of the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was not very responsive, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for voice commands. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available on other Outback trims. However, it did include a PIN code entry system, allowing the key fob to be left inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen on SXT and GT models, with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity. The Citadel and SRT models featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, using the Uconnect 5 system. The larger touchscreen was responsive and easy to use, with added personality for the SRT models, including a burnout-themed animation on startup. The SRT models also included the Performance Pages app, providing performance information and additional gauges. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available with the Premium Package on the SRT Hellcat model.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness included the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system (ADAS), featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. The Wilderness 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 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed results in IIHS crash tests, with top "Good" marks in some tests but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA gave the Durango a four-star overall safety rating, with five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash test. RWD models received four stars in the rollover test, while AWD models got three stars. The Durango's standard driver-assist tech was limited, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all trims. Forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking were standard only on the Citadel and optional on other models.