2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a rugged take on the traditional Outback, offering a higher stance and a more adventurous design. With 9.5 inches of ground clearance, it was equipped with aggressive all-terrain tires and enhanced approach and departure angles, thanks to its restyled bumpers. The Outback Wilderness featured a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, along with a matte black hood decal to reduce glare. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching. The Outback Wilderness was positioned between the Onyx XT and Limited XT in terms of pricing, with a starting price of $36,995 plus destination charges.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a bold and distinctively redesigned SUV, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. Its styling was more imposing than the previous generation, with a traditional grille and front bumper that set it apart from the Tundra's design. Inside, the Sequoia shared an industrial theme with the Tundra, featuring leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. The Sequoia's interior was luxurious, with a 14-inch infotainment system and a cream white-over-black color scheme. The Capstone trim topped a lineup that included the SR5, Limited, Platinum, and TRD Pro, with prices starting at $59,895 for the base SR5 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This engine provided ample power for the midsize SUV, which weighed 3,896 pounds and had a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The EPA rated its fuel efficiency at 24 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing averaged 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route. The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios, but its performance was somewhat hindered by the CVT's droning and soft gear changes. The Wilderness trim stood out with its 9.5 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, making it the most capable Outback for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid powertrain that included a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup produced 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 lb-ft of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's hybrid powertrain allowed for a maximum towing capacity of 9,520 pounds and a payload rating of 1,730 pounds. Fuel efficiency improved over the previous generation, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg for 4WD and 22 mpg for RWD. The Sequoia offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with an adaptive rear air suspension that adjusted ride and handling traits. However, the Sequoia's steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive and heavy.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, a water-repellant simulated leather that kept moisture from soaking into the seats. While heated front seats were standard, ventilated seats were not available, which could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The Outback's dual-zone automatic climate control effectively cooled the front half of the cabin. The driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat had 8-way power adjustment. Rear seat space was generous, with room for two adults or three children, and included rear air conditioning vents and 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 featured a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, with a comfortable cabin featuring soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The Sequoia's front seats were comfortable, and the panoramic glass sunroof added to the cabin's airy feel. However, the second-row captain's chairs did not slide, limiting flexibility for third-row passengers. The third-row seat was mounted above the battery pack, resulting in a high floor and limited thigh support. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with just 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 86.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The Sequoia's adjustable cargo shelf helped maximize space, but the overall utility was reduced compared to the previous generation.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which dominated the center of the dashboard. While physical knobs and buttons were provided for basic functions, most controls required the use of the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was not intuitive, 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. However, it featured a PIN code entry system, allowing owners to leave the key fob inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia offered a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in all trims except the base SR5. The system was intuitive and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sequoia's connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant that responded to voice commands. However, the system had some quirks, such as difficulty placing calls via Apple CarPlay. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display, but it was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Sequoia also featured a surround-view camera system and a digital rearview mirror, enhancing visibility and safety.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-centering assistance. The system was effective and unobtrusive, though the beeping could be excessive. The Outback Wilderness also featured steering-responsive headlights, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. While crash-test results for the 2022 model were not available, the 2021 Outback earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. The Sequoia's safety systems were effective, though the lane-departure warning system's beeping could be irritating. While crash-test results were not available, the Sequoia's platform-mate, the Tundra, received high safety ratings from the IIHS.