2023 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, a continuation of its second generation, showcased a mature design that had remained largely unchanged since 2008. Its exterior maintained a classic appeal with a modestly sized grille and elegant wheel arches, avoiding the oversized trends seen in other SUVs. The Sequoia's dimensions were substantial, standing 77 inches tall, 79.9 inches wide, and 205.1 inches long, with a 122-inch wheelbase. Inside, the Sequoia's age was more apparent, with a flat and somewhat outdated dashboard design. The 7-inch touchscreen and 4.5-inch TFT driver information screen seemed relics compared to the larger displays in contemporary SUVs. However, the interior was built with typical Toyota quality, featuring tight seams and high-quality materials, ensuring durability for family use. The Nightshade Special Edition added a modern touch with darkened chrome and black-painted finishes, enhancing its visual appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift, giving it a more aggressive appearance with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented the bold cladding. The Outback offered six trim levels, with the Onyx Edition now available with both base and turbocharged powertrains, making it more accessible. Our test vehicle, a Touring trim, featured Cosmic Blue paint and Java Brown premium Nappa leather upholstery, creating an upscale and cohesive interior. Despite some hard plastic elements, the interior maintained a quality feel. The Outback's practicality was evident in its design, with features like flat door sills for easy roof rack access. However, the large infotainment screen and gloss black trim were prone to collecting dust and smudges.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, was known for its durability and reliability. The Sequoia's truck roots contributed to its impressive payload capacity of around 1,300 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 7,400 pounds. However, its weight, ranging from 5,730 to 6,000 pounds, resulted in less-than-stellar fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 13 mpg city/17 mpg highway/15 mpg combined for RWD models and 13 mpg city/17 mpg highway/14 mpg combined for 4WD models. Despite its heft, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to its body-on-frame construction and ample ground clearance. The TRD Pro off-road model further enhanced its off-road prowess.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured a horizontally opposed engine design, with the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. While the CVT made good use of the power at lower speeds, the Outback felt underpowered for passing and climbing. The turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine in the XT models offered a more satisfying 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. The Outback's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, but the standard engine struggled with fuel efficiency, achieving only 25.6 mpg in real-world testing. The XT models, while more powerful, were less fuel-efficient. The Outback's AWD system and X-Mode traction system provided excellent off-road capabilities, and its suspension tuning offered a comfortable ride. However, the standard engine's lack of power was a drawback, especially at higher elevations.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering spacious seating across all three rows. Three-zone climate control catered to all occupants, and a standard power moonroof added to the airy feel. Heated and ventilated front seats were available on all trims. The Sequoia's interior featured ample storage, with a large center console, glove compartment, and door pockets. The cargo area offered 18.9 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expandable to 66.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 120.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded.

The 2023 Subaru Outback emphasized utility with features like a robust roof rack and flat door sills for easy access. The Touring trim offered a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, both heated and ventilated. The rear outboard seats were also heated. The Outback's interior was comfortable, with premium Nappa leather upholstery and ample legroom. The cargo area provided 32.6 cubic feet of space behind the back seat, expandable to 75.6 cubic feet with the back seat folded. The Outback's design made it easy to enter and exit, and the roof rack was ready for accessories.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.5-inch TFT driver information screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but the system lacked the modern features found in competitors. The Sequoia Limited added navigation and a 12-speaker audio system, with an optional premium audio package. While the Sequoia's technology lagged behind, it featured LED exterior lighting and a rear backup camera.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, featured an 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen infotainment system with physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate control. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with subscription-based Starlink connected services. The voice recognition system was lacking, but the wireless smartphone connectivity was a welcome addition. The Outback also offered a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, but it featured the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, including pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The Sequoia also had a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, stability control, traction control, and a full complement of airbags.

The 2023 Subaru Outback earned top safety marks from IIHS, thanks to its EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-centering assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a new Automatic Emergency Steering system. The Outback also featured a Wide-Angle Mono Camera for better pedestrian and cyclist detection.