2022 Subaru Outback vs. 2022 Kia Soul

If you’re looking for a crossover with lots of space and a practical design, the 2022 Subaru Outback is an excellent choice. It comes in both wagon and SUV variants to suit any lifestyle—from families who want the extra room to weekend warriors who want some added cargo space. But what if you aren’t looking for either of those things? What if you need something smaller and more easily maneuverable than a Subaru? Will you love the Subaru 2022 Kia Soul? Both are great vehicles that offer something different in their respective segments, but which one is right for you? We’ll help you decide.

Design & Style

• Exterior Design

The 2022 Subaru Outback and the 2022 Kia Soul are both compact SUVs with similar designs. The Subaru has a boxy shape with bold lines, while the Soul is curvier and modern-looking.

Both vehicles have an upright stance, but the Outback’s higher ground clearance makes it appear bulkier than its sister car. The front fascia features large, wide grilles with chrome accents and small headlights that look like eyes peering out from behind their sockets—a neat touch for this family-oriented SUV.

The rear end has been designed to maximize cargo space and aerodynamics; there’s nothing particularly striking about it except for its big chrome exhaust pipes sticking out from under the bumper (which can also be found on other models). The trunk lid opens up to reveal a large opening for loading luggage or groceries into either vehicle; however, there isn’t enough room inside the cabin to accommodate anything larger than two adults sitting in front of one another without some difficulty getting in and out of their respective doors due to how close they sit together at their closest point (and even though there are two passenger seats available here).

• Interior Design

The Outback’s interior is simple and straightforward. The dashboard design has four circular pods on the instrument panel, which contain climate controls, audio system buttons, and other small features. You can also see some of these features on the steering wheel spokes, but it’s not as intuitive to use as those in the center console.

The 2022 Kia Soul has more of an open feel with its dashboard design, which offers more space around the driver and passenger for easier access to controls. The instrument cluster is also larger than that found in the Outback, making it easier to see your speedometer at a glance when changing lanes or entering an intersection.

Technology & Safety

The Subaru Outback is a popular choice among drivers looking for an affordable SUV with all the bells and whistles. The car comes with plenty of safety features, including blind spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert. There’s even a feature called Eyesight which uses cameras to detect pedestrians and bicyclists when backing out. This can help prevent some accidents altogether!

The Kia Soul isn’t known as much for its safety features, but it does come with standard crash tests that include an anti-lock braking system (ABS). It also has automatic emergency braking (AEB), similar to Subaru’s Eyesight technology.

Performance

The 2022 Subaru Outback has a 4-cylinder engine that puts out 191 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. The 2022 Kia Soul comes with a 2-liter turbocharged inline four that produces 148 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque.

Both cars make use of their all-wheel-drive systems, though only the Soul is available with rear wheels driven by an open differential (AWD2).

The Bottom Line

The 2022 Subaru Outback is the clear winner here. The Kia Soul’s low resale value, poor reliability, and higher cost of ownership are enough to disqualify it from being a smart buy. Besides, the Outback outperforms it in every important area: safety score, fuel economy, horsepower, and torque ratings—you name it!

Ready to Schedule a 2022 Subaru Outback Test Drive Today?

At Competition Subaru, we offer a wide variety of Subaru models for you to choose from, including the 2022 Subaru Outback and we are more than happy to arrange for a test drive so that you can experience the stellar features of this vehicle. Call us today to make an appointment or simply pay us a visit at our showroom today!